Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the 18 Gerard Setback Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
ZBA approves small‑lot setback variance on Gerard Street after neighbor concerns about parking and runoff
Summary
The board granted a variance allowing a homeowner at 18 Gerard Street to build a garage that will come within roughly 3 feet of the lot line, while noting planning and building-permit review must address driveway length, sidewalk clearance and snow-storage/runoff concerns raised by abutters.
The Laconia Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a setback variance for 18 Gerard Street that permits the homeowner to construct a garage with the nearest corner approximately 3 feet from the property line.
Applicant Shelley (Shelly) Daniels Marcoux sought the variance after withdrawing an earlier request for an apartment over a garage; the current request is limited to a garage addition. Neighbors and abutters submitted written comments and spoke in person raising practical concerns: the proposed garage footprint and short driveway length may cause vehicles to overhang or encroach on the public sidewalk, snow-storage and roof-runoff could affect adjacent yards, and the narrow, preexisting lot pattern on Gerard Street leaves little room for changes.
An abutter, Gail Drew, read prepared comments into the record listing specific concerns about pedestrian clearance, snow storage and potential erosion where runoff would reach neighboring yards. The applicant said she is prepared to shift the garage slightly back if necessary and described plans for closed‑system gutters and snow‑management arrangements.
The board approved the variance as presented, but members noted that building-permit and site-review staff would still evaluate driveway length, parking configuration and other building-code compliance; the applicant may need to return if additional variances are required after technical review.
