Zoning Board approves a string of variances; several cases granted, two hearings continued to July 10

The Manchester Zoning Board of Adjustment on June 12 considered a long slate of variance applications and other items. The board granted relief on multiple residential and sign applications, continued several larger or complex matters for further review, and recorded one formal postponement requested by an applicant.

Highlights

- The board granted variances for a variety of residential projects including additions, accessory structures and fences (see “Votes at a glance” below for each case and outcome). - Two larger projects were continued: the Hallsville School redevelopment at 275 Jewett Street (ZBA2025‑65) was tabled to July 10 after neighbors pressed for a broker’s opinion on property values and additional outreach; a multi‑unit townhouse project at 144 Califf Road (ZBA2025‑57) was also tabled to July 10 at the applicant’s request to work with the Department of Public Works on access and curb‑cut issues. - One applicant asked for and received a postponement: the electronic message center proposal for 516 Elm Street (ZBA2025‑67) will be heard July 10; the board noted no new notices would be mailed and this announcement would serve as notice.

Most routine approvals were handled after brief presentation by applicants or their agents, staff confirmations and short board findings. Examples include small dimensional relief for decks, garage additions, fences and accessory structures; a projecting sign for the Palace Theatre; and conversions or variances for small‑scale residential additions. Several applicants said the requested work would bring properties into better compliance overall (for example, replacing a nonconforming shed with a garage, or replacing overgrown planting lines with a fence).

Staff and board members reiterated the standard procedures: applicants must obtain building permits from Planning & Community Development after any variance is granted and construction must meet building‑code and site‑plan requirements. Several cases will proceed to the planning board for site‑plan review or conditional‑use review where those approvals are required.

Votes at a glance (cases read/decided June 12, 2025)

- ZBA2025‑041 — 102 Thorpe Street (David Gagne): variances from sections 8.29(a)(2), 8.29(a)(3) and 10.09(b) (parking setbacks) to retain a shed, a spa and parking configuration; motion to grant relief carried (relief granted).

- ZBA2025‑044 — 82 Katinka Drive (Diane & James Peraleesi; Redwood Builders): variance from section 6.09(a) (wetlands setback) to allow an accessory dwelling unit/garage addition; motion to grant relief carried (relief granted).

- ZBA2025‑045 — 443 Lake Avenue (Diane Lohman for applicant): use variance for conversion of first floor commercial space to residential (multifamily in B‑1) and to retain existing nonconforming parking; motion to grant relief carried (relief granted; Craig St. Pierre recused from this matter).

- ZBA2025‑053 — 560 Megan Drive (Barry Paddock): variance from section 8.27(b) for an 8‑foot fence on a corner lot (matching neighbor retaining wall/chain link configuration); motion to grant relief carried (relief granted).

- ZBA2025‑054 — Palace Theatre / 77 Amherst Street (Scott/First Sign): projecting sign variance (request to install a vertical projecting sign taller than ordinance allows); motion to grant relief carried (relief granted).

- ZBA2024‑055 — 994 Somerville Street (Joseph Wicker agent): multiple variances to subdivide and create two two‑family lots with nonconforming lot areas and setbacks; motion to grant relief carried (recorded vote noted: 3–1 in favor).

- ZBA2025‑056 — 365 Megan Drive (Casey Caswell): variances for a deck and two parking spaces within setback; motion to grant relief carried (relief granted).

- ZBA2025‑057 — 144 Califf Road (Daniel Mueller agent): developer sought variances for five attached townhomes; the board tabled this case to 07/10/2025 so applicants can work with DPW on access and parking maneuvering comments (motion to table carried unanimously).

- ZBA2025‑058 — 136 & 152 Oakdale Avenue (Joseph Wicker agent): variance for condition for development of a nonconforming lot to allow a single‑family home; motion to grant relief carried (relief granted).

- ZBA2025‑059 — 67 Murphy Street (Joel Connelly): subdivision creating a new buildable lot with dimensional relief for lot width; motion to grant relief carried (relief granted).

- ZBA2025‑060 — 35 Kalis Lane (Nicholas Kotsu / Freedom Fence): variance to allow a 6‑foot privacy fence in the front/street yard; board granted relief with a condition that the first 20 feet nearest the street be 4 feet in height to preserve sight lines (relief granted with condition).

- ZBA2025‑061 — 275 Jewett Street / (detached garage correction) (Tom Hewitt / Dave Marsh): variance for detached garage slightly over the allowed rear‑yard percentage; motion to grant relief carried (relief granted).

- ZBA2025‑063 — 155 Beach Street (Chris Drescher / Beach Again LLC): variance to allow a three‑story addition creating two additional units and site counts for parking/landscaping/lot coverage; motion to grant relief carried (relief granted).

- ZBA2025‑064 — 396 Cedar Street (Nathan Moole for applicant): variance to install an Americans With Disabilities Act‑compliant aluminum ramp and landings into the rear yard; motion to grant relief carried (relief granted).

- ZBA2025‑065 — 275 Jewett Street (Hallsville School): discussed at length and tabled to 07/10/2025 by unanimous vote (applicant to provide broker opinion on property values and follow‑up materials).

- ZBA2025‑066 — Bartlett Preserve (South Mammoth Road; Stabile Companies): modification to a previously granted variance (no net increase in unit count, minor changes to building massing and two added buildings to reduce perceived mass) — board granted modified relief (motion passed; one board member abstained from votes where they had not participated in the original proceeding).

- ZBA2025‑067 — 516 Elm Street (electronic message center): applicant requested postponement; hearing rescheduled for 07/10/2025 at 6PM (no new mail notices to be sent).

- ZBA2025‑068 — 785 Coral Street (second‑story addition and porch): variances for front and side-yard setbacks and accessory structure counts; motion to grant relief carried (relief granted).

- ZBA2025‑071 — 431 East High Street (Nicholas Wan): correction to an already‑approved project to re‑position a detached barn‑style structure; motion to grant relief carried (relief granted).

What to watch next

- The board scheduled rehearings for July 10 for both the Hallsville School conversion (ZBA2025‑065) and the complex townhouse proposal at 144 Califf Road (ZBA2025‑057). The applicant for 516 Elm Street also postponed that case to July 10. - Several approvals will require subsequent planning‑board site‑plan reviews or building permits; applicants should coordinate with Planning & Community Development on conditions and DPW comments.