Council denies rezoning request for 3719 Dartmouth Street; applicant urged to reapply with staff guidance

Portsmouth City Council voted 5‑1 to deny a rezoning request from AQ Contracting LLC for a 0.07‑acre lot at 3719 Dartmouth Street that would have converted the parcel from general mixed use to urban residential to permit a single‑family dwelling.

The applicant, Claudia Arista Saba of AQ Contracting LLC, said she revised an earlier three‑story plan to a two‑story design after planning feedback and argued the project would provide smaller, new‑construction homes aimed at military service members and entry‑level buyers. “...there is a lack of, like, affordable homes for military people,” she told the council, saying she planned two‑story homes of about 1,800 square feet to match neighborhood scale.

Planning staff, represented by Dr. Russell, told council the narrow lot sits adjacent to a commercial property and that staff believes the parcel “is better served by combining that property with the adjacent property,” a position mirrored by the planning commission’s recommendation of denial. Dr. Russell also said the revised two‑story design was presented to staff at the same time as council and had not yet returned to planning for reevaluation.

Council members suggested the applicant meet with planning staff to refine the proposal, consider lot combinations or proffers, and return with a clearer presentation. Councilman Hugo and other members recommended staff meet with the applicant to explain the process and possible options.

After public comment (none of whom registered to speak at the hearing on this item), Councilman Hugo moved to deny item Z‑24‑03; a second was noted and the ordinance was denied by a vote of 5 to 1.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance Z‑24‑03 (rezoning 3719 Dartmouth Street) — Denied 5‑1.