Board approves conversion of single-family home to two-family at 104 Lowsbrook Road with conditions

The Concord Board of Appeals granted a special permit to property owner Brooks Weir to convert an existing single-family residence at 104 Lowsbrook Road into two attached dwelling units and to demolish a deteriorated detached barn. The board approved the proposal with conditions addressing stormwater recharge and coordination with the abutter on driveway identification.

Applicant Brooks Weir described the project as an addition and attachment to the rear of the property, removing a circa-1,260-square-foot barn and constructing a roughly 3,361-square-foot addition. Weir said the resulting two units would be similar in size and each would have four bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms; he said the design aims to preserve the original structure’s scale and front porch while attaching the second unit along a 17-foot, 9-inch common wall. "We would retain the large maple along the sidewalk in front," Weir said, adding that the design tries to preserve open space and streetscape character.

Neighbors asked about driveway proximity and trees. Abutter Liz Mauer said her driveway is immediately adjacent to the 104 Lowsbrook frontage and asked for measures to differentiate the two curb cuts so deliveries and visitors do not confuse them. Weir said the project team would examine landscaping treatment and work with the abutter; town staff and board members also indicated they would make coordination a condition. Neighbors also raised questions about mature trees near a proposed garage; planning staff explained that trees larger than six inches in diameter are subject to the town’s tree-protection rules and that removals would require arborist findings and mitigation if trees are shared or are expected to be significantly impacted.

Planning staff and board members also discussed stormwater management and an upcoming stormwater utility and fee structure. The board required amendments to the site plan to show roof runoff recharge (for example to dry wells) before issuance of a building permit, noting that infiltration could yield credits under the town’s planned stormwater utility.

A motion to grant the special permit passed unanimously. The board’s approval included conditions requiring the applicant to amend plans for stormwater recharge prior to building permit issuance and to coordinate with the neighbor on driveway identification and landscaping measures to preserve significant shared trees. The applicant and architect said they will provide revised plans reflecting those conditions.