Business owner to appeal ZBA decision

Douglas Orde, the owner of Hollis Construction, plans to appeal last week’s decision by the Zoning Board of Adjustment that denied him a variance to continue operating a landscaping materials business at 244 Depot Road.

On Tuesday, Jed Callen, the attorney representing Orde, said his client plans to file a motion for rehearing. Callen declined to say on what grounds he and his client plan to base their appeal. The five-member ZBA voted 4-0 last week to deny Orde’s application.

The business began as a gravel pit operation in the 1970s and was grandfathered, or legally permitted by the town, after the town established local zoning laws.

However, Orde was ordered to stop the operation in late October after the town issued a cease-and-desist order when the town’s building inspector determined that the expanded activities at the site violated zoning rules.

Orde then sought a variance from the ZBA to continue his operation.