Development News for Concord, New Hampshire

Zoning Board Approves Variances for Signage, Rooming House, Duplex, Parking, and Caretaker Apartment; Rehearing Denied

The board heard a request for a rehearing for a previously denied variance for Gerberto Reyes and Nancy Sanchez. The original request was for variances to allow for 8-foot and 5-foot side setbacks where 15 feet were required, in a medium residential district. The board unanimously denied the rehearing request, finding no error in procedure or law, and no new evidence presented. The board also postponed a hearing for Lissa and Robert J. Kagel regarding a fence variance on Airport Road to their July meeting. Additionally, the board unanimously found that none of the applications before them had the potential for regional impact. A variance was requested by Katherine Franco for MH Conquered LLC DBA Applebee's restaurant for an additional 13 signs and 312 square feet of signage where only three signs and 200 square feet were allowed. After a discussion on whether the vinyl apple stickers constituted signage, the board voted 3-2 to find they were signs requiring a variance. Subsequently, the board granted both variances for Applebee's with a vote of 4-1 for the number of signs and unanimously for the square footage, with the condition that the signs be limited to the approved design. The board then heard a special exception request for a rooming house at 38 South Street for Granite Recovery Centers. The applicant, seeking to formalize an existing non-conforming use for state licensing, proposed a sober living facility. Neighbors raised concerns about parking and the property's impact. The board granted the special exception with a condition that residents would not be permitted to have cars at the property. A variance for William Young Properties LLC to build a duplex on a lot with less than required frontage and lot size standards was debated. Given the board's reduced quorum and the ongoing city council deliberations on the matter, the applicant opted to proceed. The board ultimately granted the variance with a vote of 3-1. Another case involved ZV Investments LLC requesting six variances related to an existing multi-family building on a lot proposed for subdivision. The variances pertained to lot size, parking space demarcation, accessible parking, driveway width, parking in front yard setbacks, and backing out onto the street. The board granted all six variances. Finally, the board considered a variance request for Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinic for an addition to their existing building at 253 Pleasant Street. The variances were primarily related to existing non-conforming parking conditions and the placement of new parking within the front setback. The board unanimously granted all seven variances, citing the long-standing nature of the existing conditions and the practical constraints of the site.