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Council advances first reading on removing 109 Dennett from historic-district overlay after planning board recommendation to keep it
Summary
Council passed first reading and scheduled a public hearing on a zoning map amendment to remove 109 Dennett from the historic-district overlay; the planning board recommended leaving the property in the overlay, and council voted 6–3 to proceed to second reading.
Portsmouth — The Portsmouth City Council on Oct. 20 voted 6–3 to pass first reading and schedule a public hearing and second reading for a proposed zoning amendment that would remove 109 Dennett (tax map language in packet) from the historic-district overlay.
A Planning Board representative asked the council not to remove the property from the Historic District Commission (HDC), saying the board values continuity along Walker Street and noted a prior staff oversight had initially misinformed the owner about her status in the district (planning board report summarized at SEG 554–591). "We shouldn't go against the recommendations of our Historic District Commission," the planning board representative said, urging the council to respect established HDC boundaries.
Councilors expressed sympathy for the homeowner and concern about precedent. Councilor Lombardi emphasized the house is an 1860s structure with distinctive Cape Cod dormer architecture and described the established appeal process through the Board of Adjustment and superior court. Several councilors said they preferred proceeding to a public hearing so neighbors and the homeowner could present facts and so the council could get more historical context.
A roll-call vote was recorded and the mayor announced the first-reading step passed 6–3; the council did not remove the property at this meeting but set the matter for a public hearing and second reading on Nov. 17, 2025.
The council’s packet and planning-board report will be the basis for the Nov. 17 hearing, and the property owner retains appeal options under the HDC rules.
