It sounds like word is getting around that when it comes to dealing with the Board of Zoning Adjustments, it’s better to ask forgiveness after your project has begun than to get proper permission in advance.

That may be what’s going on in Butchertown, anyway, and it’s definitely what happened in the case we told you about yesterday involving Javanon and the Tucker Station Neighborhood Association.

It was at the same April 20 BOZA meeting, in which an illegal meeting was held prior to the regular meeting, that the expansion of the J.B. Swift plant was discussed. There was no prior public notice that the issue was being discussed, and the Planning Board decided public hearings were necessary. And as of yesterday’s decision by BOZA, all the decisions made April 20 must be reviewed again.

Tonight there’s a meeting in Butchertown (Hall’s Cafeteria, 1301 Story) to discuss the Swift expansion. The problem, of course, is that Swift has already begun construction. According to the Butchertown Neighborhood Association, Swift reps will be on hand to explain the expansion that they say is “early in the process.” Except that, according to the neighborhood association, it’s not early and Swift only began the permitting process after it was well into construction.

You can check out coverage of the issue here and here.