Zoning Board of Appeals closes hearing on sober home appeal but defers decision
Stow Zoning Board closes heated appeal over sober home operation. The board voted four to one on March 23 to end a public hearing on an appeal of the Building Commissioner's decision regarding a sober home at 41 Birch Hill Road, with Chair David Hartnagel, Andrew DeMore, Ernest Dodd, and Maria
Zoning Board of Appeals · Meeting of March 23, 2026
Stow Zoning Board closes heated appeal over sober home operation. The board voted four to one on March 23 to end a public hearing on an appeal of the Building Commissioner's decision regarding a sober home at 41 Birch Hill Road, with Chair David Hartnagel, Andrew DeMore, Ernest Dodd, and Maria McFarland voting to close and Associate Member Leonard Golder in opposition. Applicant Brian Burke and multiple abutters argued the property violates the Zoning Bylaw's "single housekeeping unit" requirement because of transient occupancy and commercial operation; Town Counsel has advised that the Americans with Disabilities Act protects sober home residents regardless of entity ownership.
The board deferred final deliberation and decision to a continuation meeting scheduled for March 30 or 31, with no ruling recorded at the March 23 session.
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Source: the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting of March 23, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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