Danvers zoning board upholds order barring commercial dog daycare at 184 Center Street

The Town of Danvers Zoning Board of Appeals on June 23 upheld a cease-and-desist order that found a home-based dog daycare at 184 Center Street was operating as a prohibited commercial kennel in an R-3 residential zone.

The board's ruling came after about two hours of testimony and public comment. The vote to deny the applicant's appeal was 4-2; the board therefore sustained the zoning enforcement officer's determination that the operation could not continue in that residential zone.

The applicant, Melissa Nardone, told the board she has operated a small in-home pet care service at 184 Center Street for more than 10 years and said she had not received formal complaints about noise, traffic or animal care. "For more than 10 years, I have quietly and responsibly operated this from my home as a single mother, supporting both myself and my daughter," Nardone said at the hearing. She said clients…