Zoning Board deliberates 41 Birch Hill Road sober home appeal decision
Zoning Board defers decision on 41 Birch Hill Road sober home appeal to April 6. Chair David Hartnagel, Vice Chair Andrew DeMore, Ernest Dodd, Maria McFarland, and Associate Member Leonard Golder spent nearly three hours deliberating a 26-finding draft decision on the appeal of the Building
Zoning Board of Appeals · Meeting of March 30, 2026
STOW — Zoning Board defers decision on 41 Birch Hill Road sober home appeal to April 6. Chair David Hartnagel, Vice Chair Andrew DeMore, Ernest Dodd, Maria McFarland, and Associate Member Leonard Golder spent nearly three hours deliberating a 26-finding draft decision on the appeal of the Building Commissioner's determination regarding the property's use. The board requested Town Counsel attend the next meeting to clarify discrimination protections under Massachusetts General Laws, the board's authority to issue an enforcement order if the appeal is sustained, and the distinction between zoning and building code definitions of change of use.
Staff will prepare a revised draft incorporating the board's edits before April 6.
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Source: the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting of March 30, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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