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Board approves ADU special exception and variance for 67A Groton Road project
Summary
The Nashua Zoning Board granted both a special exception and a variance to allow a first-floor accessory in-law unit and to exceed the ADU maximum size for a substantial renovation at 67A Groton Road.
The Nashua Zoning Board of Adjustment approved two motions March 25 allowing a first-floor accessory in-law dwelling unit and a variance to exceed the 750-square-foot ADU limit for the project at 67A Groton Road.
The special exception under land use code section 190-15, table 15-1, number 3 and a variance from land use code section 190-32 (maximum ADU size) were each approved by 5-0 votes. The variance permits an ADU of 843 square feet where 750 square feet is the code maximum.
Paul Chisholm, the project engineer for Keach Nordstrom Associates, and applicant Roland Fong described a substantial renovation that preserves portions of an original foundation and retains window and door placements while expanding usable living space toward the rear of the lot. Chisholm said the house's overall footprint and historic foundation made it difficult to reconfigure the ADU down to 750 square feet without creating unusable or awkward interior layouts.
Chisholm told the board the proposed ADU is part of a larger high-end renovation and that the house, including garages and finished basement areas, is roughly 6,000 square feet in total. He said the 843-square-foot ADU arises from maintaining circulation and original opening locations rather than adding unnecessary new mass.
Board members discussed reuse of the existing foundation, architectural continuity with the historic portions of the structure, and parking. Chisholm said parking for the principal house will be provided in four garage spaces on the lot; separate barn units on the property have their own parking and are not part of this ADU calculation. Andrew Sylvia moved to approve the variance (for the 843 sq. ft. ADU); Steve Lionel seconded. The motion passed 5-0. Earlier the board approved the special exception 5-0; the five members voting in favor on both items were Josh Neely, JP Boucher, Robert Shaw, Steve Lionel and Andrew Sylvia.
The board reminded the applicant of the 30-day appeal period and requested the applicant sign the ADU affidavit; staff indicated the form can be completed within the appeal period and added as a condition of record.
