BY ADAM SWIFT
LYNNFIELD — Town officials are preparing to battle over future short-term rentals at a home where a fatal shooting occurred last month.
Following a murder at 8 Needham Road, the town issued a cease and desist order against the owner, Alex Styller, for renting the $3.3 million house.
But the dwelling remains available for $1,400 per night on Airbnb, the California-based website that lists rentals. The ad violates the order, according to Philip Crawford, chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
The Essex County District Attorney’s office is investigating the murder of 33-year-old Keivan Heath of Randolph at a house party there on Sunday, May 29.
Styller has 30 days to appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals or apply for a special permit as a lodging house.
His lawyer told town officials that he will be applying for the lodging permit, Crawford said.
“It will be up to the ZBA to deny the permit, which we certainly hope they do,” he added.
If the ZBA denies the lodging permit, Crawford said town counsel will file an injunction against Styller to prevent him from renting the house.
“We are extremely concerned about the safety and welfare of the residents in the neighborhood,” said Crawford.
On the night of the shooting, there were several hundred cars lined up from the house flowing onto Chestnut Street.
“When the incident happened, they got out of there pretty quickly when the public safety personnel got there,” he said.
