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Neighbors say small downtown home may lack privacy for a sober-living house; board imposes buffers
Summary
Neighbors opposed the Jonah Foundation's plan at 403 Maple, citing lack of private outdoor space and proximity to elderly residents; the board approved the variances but required a fence or landscaping buffer to address privacy concerns.
Several neighbors told the Zoning Board of Appeals the 403 Maple property is tightly sited on its lot, offers little private outdoor space and sits very close to adjacent homes — concerns they said are especially acute because several nearby residents are elderly. Longtime neighbor Tom Zershmeid described the lot, saying there is essentially only a front yard and no backyard where residents could go privately.
“There’s no private outside area for them,” Zershmeid said, noting the house is built close to the street and that adjacent houses are only a few feet away. Other opponents worried the proposed house would increase street-front activity and produce noise that would affect neighbors’ daily life. Board members acknowledged those concerns and added conditions intended to protect adjacent households, including either a four-foot front fence on Maple Street or a landscaping buffer and a program visitor policy that requires visitors to leave by 9 p.m.
Supporters countered that the program would bring supervision and that residents largely walk to nearby services; the board’s approved conditions are meant to balance reentry needs and neighborhood livability.
