ZBA denies food truck appeal and special permit

Zoning Board of Appeals · Meeting of August 20, 2026

STOW — The Zoning Board of Appeals denied a nonprofit club's bid to keep a food truck on its Zero Break Road land. Club president Nick Messines said the group had used the field for decades for flea markets, a carnival and a food truck festival. Members cited Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A, Section 10, saying the bylaw does not allow use variances, and said occasional events do not make a continuous use.

The board denied the appeal of the building commissioner's decision by roll call and denied the special permit 4-1. A motion to deny a variance followed. One member said "I'm not in favor of just saying no" while proposing a temporary variance through November.

The club has 20 days to appeal after the decisions are filed.

In the full story:

• Opening and the continued hearing
• The applicant's case
• Public comment
• Deliberation: what counts as the use
• The appeal of the building commissioner's decision
• The special permit
• The variance
• Next steps
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 1,654 words

Source: the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting of August 20, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.