Milford Zoning Board approves detached 750‑sq‑ft accessory dwelling at 136 Bald Hill Road

The Milford Zoning Board of Adjustment on May 1 approved a special exception permitting Brian and Jessica May to build a detached, one‑story, 750‑square‑foot accessory dwelling unit at 136 Bald Hill Road, the board said. The board voted unanimously—Chair Joan Darje, Member Rich Elliott and Member Kevin voted yes—to grant the exception; the board noted a 30‑day period during which the decision can be appealed.

The applicants told the board the ADU is intended to house the applicants' in‑laws after they sell their current home. "My in‑laws are selling their house," Brian May said. "As they get older, they don't need a bigger house. They want to move closer to the family." The applicants said they chose a detached unit because their existing house is an older structure and retrofitting it would be more difficult.

In explaining the proposal, the applicants said the unit will be one story, no more than 750 square feet and contain a single bedroom, and that it will share the existing driveway. They told the board a new septic system has been designed to serve both the principal dwelling and the proposed ADU and that a local designer, Mark Danforth of Meridian, has prepared the septic plan and submitted it to Concord. The applicants also said the nearest mapped wetlands are about 75 feet from the proposed unit and that the ADU site sits upslope from that area.

Neighbors at the hearing raised questions about past septic problems and about erosion or runoff during construction. "Septic system being designed for both the old house and the new house?" Dale Lockhart asked during public comment; the applicants and board responded that the plan shows a single, appropriately sized system and that final approval by the septic designer and the town will be required. Resident Dave Ritchie asked the applicants and contractor to take steps during site work to limit sediment washing toward the low‑lying wetland area.

During deliberations the board ran through the special‑exception worksheet required by the Milford zoning ordinance and found the application met the listed criteria: the proposed use is similar to permitted uses in the district; the specific site is appropriate; the use will not adversely affect adjacent properties; there will be no nuisance or hazard to vehicles or pedestrians; and adequate facilities (sewer/septic and water) will be provided. The board confirmed the ADU will be owner‑occupied in conjunction with the principal dwelling, that no additional curb cut is proposed, that the unit meets the size and bedroom limits in the application, and that the applicants must meet all local and state building, fire, health and safety codes.

The board approved the special exception by individual roll call: Rich Elliott—yes; Kevin—yes; Chair Joan Darje—yes. Chair Darje told the applicants, "There is a 30 day wait period," and confirmed they may begin work but must secure required permits and inspections and that the approval could be challenged during the 30‑day window. The applicants were asked to provide the finished exterior plans to town staff (to be added to the meeting packet) and to coordinate with Community Development on permits and any post‑construction complaints or inspections.

The decision allows the applicants to move forward with construction subject to normal permitting and inspections; the board recorded no additional conditions beyond compliance with the Milford zoning ordinance and applicable state laws.|sections":{"lede":"The Milford Zoning Board of Adjustment on May 1 approved a special exception permitting Brian and Jessica May to build a detached, one‑story, 750‑square‑foot accessory dwelling unit at 136 Bald Hill Road, the board said.","nut_graf":"The applicants told the board the ADU is intended to house the applicants' in‑laws after they sell their current home; the board found the application met the Milford zoning ordinance criteria and approved it unanimously with a 30‑day appeal period.","ending":"The decision allows the applicants to proceed with construction but requires standard permits, inspections and coordination with Community Development; the approval is subject to the 30‑day appeal period."},