Board of Appeals Powers
It is the Board of Appeals responsibility to hear and decide appeals where it is alleged by the applicant for a permit that there is an error in any order or decision made by the Building Commissioner. Appeals to said Board may be taken by any person aggrieved by reason of his or her inability to obtain a building or occupancy permit or enforcement action from any administrative officer under the provisions of this chapter, by the Lower Pioneer Valley Regional Planning Commission, by any person, including an officer or board of the City or of any abutting City or town, aggrieved by any order or decision of the Building Commissioner or other administrative official.

This board must authorize, upon petition, variances from the provisions of this chapter. All of the following conditions must apply to each case. The Board of Appeals is authorized to grant a variance where, owing to conditions especially affecting such parcels or buildings but not affecting generally the zoning district in which it is located, a literal enforcement of provisions of the law would involve substantial hardship, financial and otherwise, to the appellant. The desirable relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good, such a variance may be granted without deviating from the intent or purpose of this chapter. The special conditions affecting the land which causes the hardship is related to soil conditions, shape or topography of the land or structures and such variance does not authorize any use or activity which is not otherwise permitted in the district in which the land or structure is located.