Zoning Board denies appeal of sober home enforcement decision at 41 Birch Hill Road
Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously denies appeal of enforcement decision at 41 Birch Hill Road. Chair David Hartnagel led the five-member board in voting to deny the appeal and order the property owner to submit written evidence of Zoning Bylaw compliance to the Building Commissioner within 30
Zoning Board of Appeals · Meeting of April 6, 2026
STOW — Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously denies appeal of enforcement decision at 41 Birch Hill Road. Chair David Hartnagel led the five-member board in voting to deny the appeal and order the property owner to submit written evidence of Zoning Bylaw compliance to the Building Commissioner within 30 days of the Decision filing, after the Board found more than five unrelated persons may be residing at the property, which is being operated as a sober home. Town Counsel Robin Stein advised the Board that individuals in recovery from alcoholism receive protections under federal fair housing law and state law.
The Board also unanimously approved an insubstantial modification to the Residences at Stow Acres Comprehensive Permit, allowing 38 rental cottage structures instead of 40, with a 6.3 percent increase in total units that remains under the 10 percent state threshold for insubstantial changes.
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Source: the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting of April 6, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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