Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Commercial Use Auto Parts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Zoning Board allows auto parts store at 76 Lake Street, citing historic commercial use
Summary
The board approved a use variance permitting Car Parts of Nashua to occupy 76 Lake Street as an auto parts and supply store, finding the proposed use consistent with the site's long history of commercial and contractor-related uses and compatible with neighborhood circulation.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment on May 13 approved a use variance to permit an auto parts and supply store, to be operated by Car Parts of Nashua, at 76 Lake Street. The site owner is listed as Har Creek Cattle Company LLC; the proposed tenant is Car Parts of Nashua. The property is in a business/commercial area and the board found the proposed use consistent with the site’s historic commercial character.
Attorney Andy Perlman, representing the applicant and landlord, reviewed the property’s title history and argued the parcel has hosted contractor- and supply-type businesses for decades, including electrical suppliers and fuel/ice operations. “There’s always been some type of business at that site,” Perlman told the board, recounting a title history that showed sequential commercial uses dating to the 1920s and continuing through several electrical-distributor occupants.
Stan Lewis, general manager for Car Parts of Nashua, explained operations and parking: employees will park in a gated rear area and company delivery vans and trucks will use the back lot; customers will be able to park at the front for retail purchases. He said the firm expects two deliveries per day from its warehouse and that the retail component is a minority share of overall business. Lauren Morse, the property owner, said she had observed regular retail customers at previous occupants and supported the application.
Board members noted the building’s long commercial history and the recent property renovation and said the proposed use was consistent with past operations. Member JP Boucher said the site had not been a detriment to the neighborhood during previous commercial uses; other board members agreed that the auto parts use is similar in scale and impact to prior occupants. The board moved, deliberated, and unanimously approved the use variance. A 30-day appeal period was noted.
Discussion (record): attorney argument on historical use and hardship, operator testimony on parking and deliveries, owner support, no public opposition recorded at the hearing.
Decision: use variance approved unanimously; site may be occupied by Car Parts of Nashua after appeal period.
