The Concord Zoning Board of Appeals continued a lengthy Dec. 12 hearing on a proposal to demolish an existing dwelling at 241 and rebuild a new primary residence that incorporates the timber frame of a historic "Green Oak Barn" relocated from Carlisle.

Project architect Jeremiah and engineer Paul Kirsner described a two-part request: (1) a special permit to increase gross floor area beyond 50 percent to accommodate the new design and (2) a special permit to allow a peak height of roughly 37.7 feet for the barn-like central volume where 35 feet is the by-right limit. The applicant, property owner Zour Attias, said the barn timbers would be re-used and the central space would remain unoccupied, serving as a dramatic, central family room. Paul Kirsner explained the higher roof slope preserves the "barn-like" character and that the team had lowered the slope where practicable to bring the proposed peak within about two feet of the by-right limit.

Neighbors raised two primary concerns: visual impact from the street and nearby homes, and stormwater/runoff and septic management given existing low spots and wetlands on and adjacent to the site. Mark Murphy, a nearby resident, said the plan "isn't modest" and that from his property the proposed house will present "a wall" that alters his view. The applicant countered that much of the dramatic rear and agricultural views are unchanged and that the site is relatively open in many directions.

Board members asked the applicant to produce additional materials: three-dimensional renderings comparing compliant and proposed roof slopes, and a robust stormwater management plan (dry wells or combination approaches) that accounts for the increased impervious area. The board agreed a site visit would help members assess view impacts and neighborhood character; they scheduled an on-site inspection at 08:30 on the morning noted and continued the hearing to the board's Jan. 9 meeting for further deliberation. The applicant and team indicated they will provide infiltration details and revised drawings before the continued hearing.

"We're just trying to honor the barn," the architect said, adding the design team modified roof slopes and is prepared to show alternatives. The board left the record open for the additional technical materials and committed to a site visit prior to the next hearing.