Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Driveway Variance 509 Hurricane topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
ZBA unanimously approves variance for agricultural access at 509 Hurricane Road
Summary
The Keene Zoning Board of Adjustment granted a variance allowing a second agricultural driveway with an approximate 19% slope at 509 Hurricane Road, with conditions that it not be used to connect any building or structure to the public right-of-way and that future subdivision require redesign to meet standards.
The Keene Zoning Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a variance to allow a second street access with a steep slope for a rural‑district property at 509 Hurricane Road.
Petitioners Scott and Eileen Adams requested relief from the Land Development Code’s 15% slope limit for a driveway so they could formalize an agricultural access to the northern portion of their five‑acre parcel. Planning staff described the lot, existing residence and outbuildings, and previous city‑engineer review; the staff report recommended conditions tied to limiting the access’s use.
Eileen Casey read the application narrative for the Adamses, saying the gravel access minimizes disturbance, includes a berm and culvert to control runoff, and will be used seasonally for agricultural deliveries and a tractor to move materials to the upper field. "Granting the variance would do substantial justice because the access way to the lot would allow safer access into the portion of the lot that is furthest from the current access," Casey said.
Board members viewed photographs of an access already constructed on the slope and questioned drainage and erosion mitigation. Planning staff said the contractor added berming and a culvert to reduce erosion, and the applicant is responsible for maintenance; staff noted the city engineer reviewed the work. One board member suggested minor additional ditching or cresting to address observed erosion.
Adam Burke moved to approve ZBA2025‑19 allowing a street access/driveway with a slope of 19% at 509 Hurricane Road, with conditions that the access not be used to connect any building or structure to the public right‑of‑way and that, if the property is subdivided, the access must be redesigned and reconstructed to conform to street access and driveway regulations. Zack LeRoy seconded, and the motion carried unanimously after the board reviewed variance standards and found unnecessary hardship based on the lot’s slope and ledge conditions.
The board closed the public hearing after no members of the public spoke for or against the request. The decision allows the Adamses to retain the access for agricultural use but imposes the stated conditions to limit future use for habitable structures and to require compliance upon subdivision.
