Somersworth ZBA denies variance for short-term rental at 78 Salmon Falls Road

The Somersworth Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 5-0 on March 5 to deny a variance sought by Michelle Grama to operate a tourist home (short-term rental) at 78 Salmon Falls Road in the city’s agricultural district.

The board found that the applicant did not satisfy the fifth variance criterion—unnecessary hardship—because the application did not show that the zoning restriction, as applied to this parcel, imposed a unique or undue burden that would justify allowing a commercial short-term rental in an agricultural zone. Brad Ferdette, a board member, moved to deny and said, “After review of the application, the file, and all the information presented to the Board, I feel that criteria 5, the hardship criteria, has not been satisfied.” The motion passed unanimously.

Board members and planning staff said the agricultural district’s purpose in the ordinance favors low-density, large-lot single-family uses and that…