Planning board approves 18‑bed women's recovery residence at 633 Second St.

The Manchester Planning & Zoning Board on April 17 approved a conditional use permit for Revive Recovery Resource Center to operate an 18‑bed congregate recovery residence for women at 633 Second Street in the B‑2 (General Business) zoning district.

Revive Recovery plans 18 beds configured as nine double‑occupancy bedrooms; one bedroom will be ADA‑compliant. The organization said staff will be on‑site 24 hours a day and that residents will be required to participate in peer‑led recovery programming provided by Revive, including care coordination, wellness planning and connections to community supports. Revive expects provisional certification from the New Hampshire Partnership for Recovery Residences by its planned closing date of May 27, the applicant said.

Board members and staff discussed zoning compliance, parking, supervision and resident policies. The application requires a site‑plan review and a zoning variance on parking because the zoning ordinance requires one parking space per bedroom; the applicant proposed that residents not be permitted to keep vehicles on the property and said it would seek a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment or pursue an alternative encroachment variance to regularize previously used parking that crosses the setback.

Attorney Megan Carrier, representing the applicant, told the board the conditional‑use standard is established by Article 12 of the zoning ordinance and that congregate housing is permitted in the general business district with a conditional use permit. Jessica Carter, Revive's executive director, described the residence as a “vital bridge” for women in recovery who need safe, structured housing. She said Revive operates peer‑led programs across Greater Nashua, Manchester and Derry and that residents would be required to actively engage in programming.

Members of the public who spoke included a contractor for the project who praised Revive’s work, a longtime tenant and the Revive founder and staff who described program details and a discounted rent level available through grant funding. The founder said the organization can offer rent at about $500 a month under current grant supports. A board member recommended the applicant collect written letters of support to strengthen the later variance application.

During questioning the board learned the applicant typically staffs residences with two on‑site staff, will maintain a good‑neighbor policy with sobriety requirements and curfews, and has a policy not to discharge a resident to the street; the applicant said it will coordinate with community partners and use its nearby center to help residents who need to transition. The applicant also said it will seek final certification after construction to confirm operations match its written policies.

The board added a condition requested by a member: approval must be conditioned on proof of ownership (the applicant is under a purchase and sale agreement and presented a power of attorney and owner authorization). Vice Chair Aaron George Kelly moved to approve the conditional use permit with findings and conditions including an ownership requirement; Chris Wellington seconded. The board approved the permit by voice vote with no recorded opposing votes or recusals.

The board and staff noted that a full site‑plan application (and possible ZBA variance for parking) will be required before the use begins, and the applicant acknowledged it will return for that review.

The conditional use permit was recorded as CU2025‑008; the board closed public comment on the matter and the item will be subject to later site‑plan review for change of use and parking.