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Concord ZBA approves multiple home additions, a sign variance, school lighting and a road name
Summary
At its Sept. 19 meeting the ZBA approved three residential special permits (79 Elsinore, 52 Cottage Lane, 42 Riverside), a third‑sign variance on Elm Street, temporary Concord Middle School lighting, and named a roadway Rocamel Place; several approvals included conditions (stormwater, screening).
The Town of Concord Zoning Board of Appeals on Sept. 19 approved several land‑use items ranging from modest home additions to administrative approvals.
Residential permits: The board approved three home projects. Contractor Preston represented a proposal at 79 Elsinore to expand an approved 16x30 garage to 18x30 by borrowing 2 feet from the opposite side setback after a plot‑plan error; the board found no neighborhood detriment and approved the special permit under the cited bylaws. Pat and Peter Nelson won a special permit for a 283 sq ft garden‑room addition at 52 Cottage Lane that increases a nonconforming side‑yard setback from 13.9 to 8 feet; neighbor Tammy Dayton spoke in strong support. Laurie Scharfitz’s application to add 1,525.5 sq ft to a 1,470 sq ft nonconforming house at 42 Riverside Ave (an increase of more than 50%) was approved; board members said they expect a condition requiring roof runoff recharge or an equivalent stormwater mitigation measure because the project increases impervious area.
Commercial sign variance: Off Cherry Street Realty LLC received a variance to install a third principal sign at 794 Elm Street. Nicole Sullivan said the new 17 sq ft wall sign is smaller than a prior sign and is gooseneck‑lit; board members noted Elm Street’s effective frontage on Route 2 and approved the variation on that basis.
School lighting and road naming: The board approved a temporary lighting plan for Concord Middle School to install eight interim light poles and cameras because the photovoltaic canopy structures that were to carry permanent lighting are delayed. Administratively, the board agreed to name a roadway in the Concord Housing Development Corporation project 'Rocamel Place' after local affordable‑housing leadership; the fire department and historical commission raised no objections.
Votes at a glance: Russell Gamber, 79 Elsinore — special permit approved (motion, second, unanimous voice vote). Pat & Peter Nelson, 52 Cottage Lane — special permit approved (motion, second, unanimous voice). Laurie Scharfitz, 42 Riverside Ave — special permit approved with probable stormwater condition (motion, second, aye votes recorded). Off Cherry Street Realty LLC, 794 Elm St — sign variance approved (motion, second, unanimous voice vote). Concord Middle School — temporary lighting plan approved (motion, second, unanimous voice). Road name 'Rocamel Place' — approved (motion, second, unanimous voice).
Board members generally said neighbors had been engaged for the residential items and that conditions (especially for stormwater and screening) would be reflected in the written decisions. Several decisions will be filed with the town clerk, which starts the 20‑day appeal period.
