No one in the history of New Jersey has ever run for the "local zoning board."

One after the other, seemingly viable sites fell through because of problems with local zoning boards.

Hundreds of local zoning boards control development within their own borders, making large-scale planning impossible.

Residents of both areas fought the homes through zoning boards and stalled them with lawsuits, which they usually lost.

Mr. Levy said local zoning boards are a bigger problem.

A significant part of the approval process involves Stamford's planning and zoning boards.

"Local zoning boards talk about how close you can build your house to the property line and front-yard setbacks," he said.

Yet satellite dishes continue to spark heated debate in the courts and before local zoning boards.

Previously, he said, when the lab wanted to expand, it went to the Zoning Board for a variance.

The Zoning Board is expected to approve it in late September.