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Zoning board denies frontage variance for proposed subdivison at 64 Merrimack Road
Summary
The Methuen Zoning Board of Appeals denied a request to allow 64 Merrimack Road to be split or to permit reduced frontage (applicant sought 20 feet of relief where 100 feet is required). Neighbors cited narrow streets, emergency access and drainage concerns; the board found the hardship claim insufficient.
The Methuen Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday denied a request by Model Realty to allow a subdivision or reduced frontage at 64 Merrimack Road, concluding the applicant had not established the required hardship to justify relief from the 100-foot frontage rule. Chair Nick Boucher opened the hearing and heard arguments from the petitioner and several nearby residents.
Neighbors submitted multiple written statements and spoke in person, saying Merrimack Road and intersecting Aberdeen/Everdene streets are narrow and already congested, making turnarounds difficult for waste haulers and emergency vehicles. A neighbor letter read into the record warned that "Merrimack Road is already significantly congested, and its narrowness poses challenges for emergency services" and said adding another single-family home would worsen flooding and drainage problems.
The petitioner told the board the parcel has sufficient lot area but only 80 feet of frontage and that tax records show two separate tax cards and deeds, which affects whether the property should be treated as one lot or two. The applicant said the request is limited to 20 feet of frontage relief and that modern infiltration and drainage systems would be installed as required by the town.
Board members questioned whether the applicant had shown a hardship tied to the land rather than financial considerations, and several members said the volume of neighborhood opposition and safety concerns weighed against granting relief. After discussion, the board voted to deny the petition.
The denial relates strictly to dimensional zoning relief; any future application may address outstanding title/tax-card issues or include additional engineering and mitigation measures if refiled.
