Product Description

“A basic purpose of zoning laws is ‘to foster the creation of conforming lots.’” Asack v. Board of Appeals of Westwood, 47 Mass. App. Ct. 733, 736 (1999) (quoting Murphy v. Kotlik, 34 Mass. App. Ct. 410, 414 n.7 (1993)). This purpose is reflected in the Merger Doctrine, which provides that “adjacent lots under common ownership normally shall be treated as a single lot for local zoning purposes so as to minimize nonconformities.” Seltzer v. Board of Appeals of Orleans, 24 Mass. App. Ct. 521, 522 (1987). This general rule began as a judicially-created principle by the Supreme Judicial Court in the mid-20th century and has been consistently applied before and after the 1975 enactment of G.L. c. 40A, § 6.  

This program provides an understanding of how Massachusetts law and local zoning by-laws define and treat the concept of a “lot,” with special attention to the Merger Doctrine. Participants learn how statutory provisions, case law, and local by-law variations interact to determine whether adjacent parcels may be used, sold, or developed independently or must be treated as a single zoning lot. Through case examples and statutory updates, the panelists highlight practical pitfalls for practitioners, landowners, and developers, as well as identify opportunities where local by-laws and recent legislative changes may provide additional protection.

PROGRAM SPONSOR

Agenda & Materials

• 9:30 - 9:40 am

  Definition of “Lot” Under Zoning By-Laws and Subdivision Control Law

  Kathleen M. Heyer, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP , Boston
  Nicholas P. Shapiro, Esq., Phillips & Angley , Boston
  Douglas A. Troyer, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP , Boston
  
• 9:30 - 9:40 am

  Definition of “Lot” Under Zoning By-Laws and Subdivision Control Law

  Kathleen M. Heyer, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP , Boston
  Nicholas P. Shapiro, Esq., Phillips & Angley , Boston
  Douglas A. Troyer, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP , Boston
  

• Doctrine of Merger for Adjoining Substandard Lots

  Kathleen M. Heyer, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP , Boston
  Nicholas P. Shapiro, Esq., Phillips & Angley , Boston
  Douglas A. Troyer, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP , Boston
  

• Common Ownership versus Common Control in Merger Analysis

  Kathleen M. Heyer, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP , Boston
  Nicholas P. Shapiro, Esq., Phillips & Angley , Boston
  Douglas A. Troyer, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP , Boston
  

• Key Case Law: Preston v. Bd. of Hull; Planning Bd. of Norwell v. Serena; DiStefano v. Stoughton; Kneer v. Norfolk; Murphy v. Billerica

  Kathleen M. Heyer, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP , Boston
  Nicholas P. Shapiro, Esq., Phillips & Angley , Boston
  Douglas A. Troyer, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP , Boston
  

• Concept of “Servient” Lots in Zoning Compliance

  Kathleen M. Heyer, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP , Boston
  Nicholas P. Shapiro, Esq., Phillips & Angley , Boston
  Douglas A. Troyer, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP , Boston
  

• Restrictions on Single-Family Home Size and Use on Protected Lots

  Kathleen M. Heyer, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP , Boston
  Nicholas P. Shapiro, Esq., Phillips & Angley , Boston
  Douglas A. Troyer, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP , Boston
  

• Local By-Law Authority for More Generous Nonconforming Lot Protections

  Kathleen M. Heyer, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP , Boston
  Nicholas P. Shapiro, Esq., Phillips & Angley , Boston
  Douglas A. Troyer, Esq., Pierce Atwood LLP , Boston
  

Special Program Materials:

• Massachusetts Zoning Manual

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Chair

Faculty

Fees

• $157.50 - MCLE Sponsor Member
• $87.50 - New Lawyer
• $87.50 - Pending Admittee
• $87.50 - Law Student
• $87.50 - Paralegal
• $175.00 - All Others

To apply for a need-based scholarship for this program, email scholarships@mcle.org.

Available FREE with an MCLE OnlinePass^® subscription.