Zoning Board of Appeals deliberates on sober living home at 41 Birch Hill Road
Stow Zoning Board deliberates on sober living home without resolving use classification. The Board spent three hours on February 17 discussing whether 41 Birch Hill Road, where abutters reported nine beds and more than five occupants, complies with Zoning Bylaw restrictions on dwelling units,
Zoning Board of Appeals · Meeting of February 17, 2026
Stow Zoning Board deliberates on sober living home without resolving use classification. The Board spent three hours on February 17 discussing whether 41 Birch Hill Road, where abutters reported nine beds and more than five occupants, complies with Zoning Bylaw restrictions on dwelling units, commercial uses, or boarding houses. Chair David Hartnagel proposed three possible findings: a single family dwelling with potential occupancy violation; a commercial use prohibited in the Residential District; or a boarding house requiring owner occupancy.
A motion by Associate Member Leonard Golder to reopen the hearing for additional testimony from Town Counsel, the Building Commissioner, and the property owner failed to receive a second. Board Member Ernest Dodd called for Town Counsel to address discrimination law at the next meeting. The Board will reconvene March 2 to continue deliberation and vote on the use classification.
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Source: the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting of February 17, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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