The Manchester Zoning Board of Adjustment conducted a multi‑case hearing in September 2025 and issued rulings on a slate of variance and accessory‑use requests. Below are short summaries of each case, the board’s action and any conditions the board placed on approvals.

Votes at a glance (case — brief description — result — key condition or note):

- ZBA2025‑103 (2990 Broadwell Road) — gazebo proposed 18×18 in wetland buffer; Conservation Commission recommended 7‑foot setback. — Approved unanimously — Condition: gazebo must be located no closer than 7 feet from the wetland edge and stone installed at edge to reduce runoff.

- ZBA2025‑106 (708 Pine Street) — one‑chair barbershop and expanded angled parking in R‑2. — Approved unanimously — No special conditions beyond standard permitting; applicant corrected spelling on paperwork.

- ZBA2025‑108 (73 Meeting House Road) — above‑ground pool and shed placement variances. — Approved unanimously — Board found similar rear‑yard conditions nearby and accepted applicant’s evidence that structures pre‑existed current ownership.

- ZBA2025‑109 (1345 Lakeshore Road) — 30×40 three‑car garage addition (side setback and lot‑coverage variances). — Approved unanimously — Condition: applicant must maintain a 10‑foot side‑setback (reduced from the required 30 feet) as the permitted limit; board recommended considering a deeper (tandem) configuration to reduce apparent scale.

- ZBA2025‑110 (78 Springdale Road) — dormer to add bath/closet and maintain two small accessory sheds. — Approved unanimously — Board cited foster‑care household needs; accessory structures were considered longstanding.

- ZBA2025‑111 (139–165 Central Street) — convert first‑floor commercial space into five dwelling units, resulting in 13 units total (lot area and lot coverage variances). — Approved (5–0) — Condition: merge the remaining lots in the parking area as part of approval; applicant to comply with building‑safety requirements (sprinkler retrofit discussed in review comments).

- ZBA2025‑113 (366 Lowell Street) — expand front‑yard parking to add two tandem spaces (lot‑coverage/parking setbacks). — Approved unanimously — Board noted constrained lot and public‑safety benefits of off‑street parking.

- ZBA2025‑114 (289 Concord Street) — formalize two existing parking spaces for a four‑unit building (setbacks and maneuverability). — Approved unanimously — Board observed that the spaces had been used historically and approving memorializes existing use; staff to confirm paving status.

- ZBA2025‑115 (481 Merrimack Street) — create one basement dwelling unit to convert a four‑unit to a five‑unit; multiple parking/layout counts for long‑standing conditions. — Approved unanimously — Board noted prior 1984 variance allowing four units and treated many counts as pre‑existing; applicant to confirm any updated fire safety requirements.

- ZBA2025‑116 (87 South Wilson Street) — 6‑foot vinyl fence, front‑ and side‑yard parking and driveway width variances for pre‑existing conditions; small shed. — Approved unanimously — Condition: visibility corner setbacks for sight lines per ordinance must be maintained.

- ZBA2025‑117 (263 Ash Street) — convert a 2‑unit to a 3‑unit on a constrained lot (multiple variances including lot area and frontage). — Approved unanimously — Board observed neighborhood contains multiple 3‑family buildings and that egress improvements increase safety; applicant can comply with lot‑coverage limits if requested.

- ZBA2025‑118 (138 Coolidge Ave, Unit 2) — replace existing 6‑foot chain‑link fence with 8‑foot chain‑link at school/playground edge. — Approved unanimously — Board cited public‑safety rationale (balls leaving play area onto a busy thoroughfare); condition: maintain existing visibility cutbacks at intersection.

- ZBA2025‑119 (209 Ray Street) — second‑floor reconfiguration (side and rear‑setback variances) for an existing deeded two‑family. — Approved (motion passed) — Board found no material increase in footprint and noted pre‑existing two‑family status; several neighbors submitted opposition letters focused on character and parking, which the board considered but found unrelated to the specific setbacks.

- ZBA2025‑120 (272 Whitney Avenue) — carport and rear ADU addition set‑back variances to create accessory dwelling for a family member. — Approved unanimously — Board noted short lot depth; emphasized family‑care benefit as part of substantial justice assessment.

- ZBA2025‑122 (78 Lovering Street) — two side‑yard parking spaces (driveway width variance) and accessory trailer storage (added as an accessory‑use count). — Approved unanimously — Conditions: trailer limited to a maximum of 6×12; board noted sight‑line and hydrant markers should be used and city staff confirmed Water Works outreach as appropriate.

Other procedural items

- The board denied a rehearing request for case ZBA 2025‑67 (516 Elm Street) after concluding the rehearing petition did not present new material facts or legal error.

- The board approved minutes from the August 14, 2025 meeting with minor corrections.

Across multiple approvals the board often treated long‑standing physical conditions (unpaved parking, small sheds, pre‑existing fences) as pre‑existing nonconformities and placed focus on safety (egress, sight lines, sprinkler/retrofit follow‑up where applicable) and on limiting long‑term expansion that would alter neighborhood character. Many approvals included a condition or recommendation to coordinate with city staff (planning, fire, water works) and to pursue required building permits.