Burlington Board of Appeals unanimously approves two residential setback variances

BURLINGTON — November 18, 2025 — Burlington's Board of Appeals unanimously approved setback variances for two residential additions at its November 18 meeting. The four-member board — one short of its full complement — voted 4-0 on both cases after informing each set of applicants that approval required all four affirmative votes. Rajendra and Khadki Shah of 11 Sylvester Road received relief to build a front yard setback of 21.3 feet and a right side yard of 12.2 feet, with the board citing the lot's non-conforming 80-foot frontage as the qualifying hardship. Mark Baskaroon of 9 Wilhelmina Road won approval for a front yard setback of 19.5 feet and a right side yard of 8.8 feet; the board found that dual utility easements — a Boston Edison power line and a Colonial Oil easement — blocked any rear addition, constituting clear hardship. Neighbor Christopher Rose appeared in person to support the Wilhelmina Road proposal, and Baskaroon submitted signed support letters from all five surrounding property owners.