ROCKLAND — Leith and Suzanne MacDonald, who own property on Talbot Ave., in Rockland, have filed an administrative appeal with the Rockland Zoning Board of Appeals concerning a June decision made by the city’s code enforcement officer.

The MacDonalds submitted the appeal June 28, and said in a letter that they are acting on behalf of neighbors on Talbot Ave., JRL Drive, Traverse Street and Center Street in asking for a reversal of the CEO’s decision to allow Freedom Path LLC to proceed with establishing its “Unity House” at 215 Talbot Ave.

“As a business providing services to clients onsite, and without the owner living at the property, the newly proposed use of 215 Talbot Avenue constitutes a change in use, and, as such, should have been reviewed as a conditional use in Zone B,” they wrote.

The MacDonalds contend that the use was not reviewed appropriately and the property owner, Freedom Path LLC, did not obtain the appropriate permit.

Freedom Path LLC had acquired the property June 3. On June 10, residents near the home complained to the Rockland City Council that the house was purchased with the of providing temporary housing for former inmates, according to the house’s neighbors.

“According to its proposed program overview, Freedom Path LLC’s Unity House would operate 215 Talbot Ave. as a business providing services to clients onsite, and without the owner living at the property, the newly proposed use of 215 Talbot Ave. as a facility that provides ‘targeted programming,’ ‘job skill training,’ ‘workshops,’ ‘mock interviews,’ ‘networking,’ and ‘training’ by paid service providers to a revolving group of paying clients of the Unity House program.”

Such use is not permitted in Rockland’s residential zone B.

“Furthermore, the intensity of the new use of 215 Talbot Ave. is unknown and completely unregulated,” they continued, in their letter to the Rockland ZBA.

The MacDonalds cite increased frequency of cars, trucks, family, parole officers and service providers as potentially disturbing, and “the project could plan increased, unbudgeted demands” on police and fire services, as well as decreased property values.

The ZBA hearing is scheduled for July 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the Rockland City Hall Council Chambers.

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657