Harwich Zoning Board Grants Three Special Permits at July Special Session

HARWICH — July 9, 2026 — Harwich Zoning Board approves three special permits and accepts one withdrawal at thin-quorum July session. Chair Brian Sullivan opened the July 9 special afternoon meeting by warning all four applicants that, with only four of five board members present, any approval required unanimous support. The board granted permits 4-0 in all three contested cases: a habitable-space addition for George and Eleni Safaris at 7 Holly Lane; a full raise-and-replace two-story dwelling for Christen A. Punch and William Punch III at 5 Highland Lane; and a deck-to-sunroom conversion for Susan H. Sear at 118 Headquarters Road. The Punch case drew pointed public comment from neighbor Luther Grant, a licensed builder and Title 5 septic inspector, who submitted photographs showing an existing driveway the application said did not exist, a factor-of-ten acreage typo in the site plan, and a 2005 Board of Health recorded decision restricting 5 Highland Lane to three bedrooms and 1,174 square feet — entered into the hearing record as the board noted the Board of Health, not the ZBA, holds jurisdiction over that restriction. The Punch applicants must obtain a Board of Health variance, scheduled for August, before construction may begin. A fourth case, an appeal by Robert and Linda Allen of 46 Witter Drive, was withdrawn without prejudice and accepted 4-0.