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<p class="MsoNormal">I would say that if the person removed the dwelling, and it was not destroyed by natural disaster, then no they could not rebuild without securing a variance or potentially a special permit depending on how your bylaws are written. I would
not say that the lot is now conforming if it does not comply with the requirements of the zoning bylaw, however.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Candara",sans-serif">Eric Rumsey<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Candara",sans-serif">Town Planner & Conservation Agent<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif">Economic Development and Planning Department<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif">Town of Southbridge<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif">41 Elm Street | Southbridge, MA 01550<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif">p: 508.764.5402<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif">e:
<a href="mailto:erumsey@southbridgemass.org">erumsey@southbridgemass.org</a> <o:p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif">w: ci.southbridge.ma.us<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Town Administration via MassPlanners<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, October 25, 2022 3:35 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> massplanners@masscptc.org<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Massplanners] AN EASY ONE<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Last minute question for Planners Anonymous --and you’ll forgive me, as I don’t have my copy of “Handbook of Massachusetts Land Use and Planning Law” at the ready….<br>
<br>
Given a <u>pre-existing</u>, <u>non-conforming</u> lot, with a pre-existing dwelling on it:<br>
<br>
If the person removes the dwelling…<br>
WITHOUT securing the right to rebuild (via a special permit, let’s say)…<br>
The non-confirming use is extinguished…<br>
the lot becomes “conforming”…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt">And a new structure can not be rebuilt.
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Is that correct? Or, does the two-year lookback provision for non-conforming uses apply?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">- Doug.<br>
Westhampton<o:p></o:p></p>
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