Zoning Board Clears Three Cases on Thin Quorum

Zoning Board · Meeting of September 2, 2026

Douglas Zoning Board approves two setback variances and a home coffee-roasting permit, all unanimous with only four of five seats filled. Vice Chair Michael Fitzpatrick presided for Chair Daniel Heney, absent and unreachable by Zoom, meaning every vote needed all four members' support to pass. The board granted MacDonald and Tracy Andrews a variance for a 48-foot-6-inch front setback at 200 Wallum Lake Road, tied to a covered-stairs safety concern for a household member with limited mobility, and granted Ashley Olson and Alex Cashmanian a variance for a covered porch at 47.25 feet at 42 Chestnut Street.

The board also overturned Building Commissioner Eric's denial of a home occupation permit for Erika Alvarez and Scott McGowan's small coffee-roasting business at 112 Southeast Main Street, granting special permit 2026-08. "The bylaw governs use, not scale," Eric told the board, while Fitzpatrick countered the operation met every accessory-use criterion in the bylaw. The board also corrected a miscalculated continuance deadline on the pending Southwest Main Street project, pushing its decision window from December into January.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,461 words

Source: the Zoning Board meeting of September 2, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.