Board grants variance to convert historic 5 Depot Street building to four one‑bedroom apartments; neighbors raise parking and management concerns

The Merrimack Zoning Board granted variances April 30 allowing Vicinity Development LLC to convert the existing building at 5 Depot Street into four one‑bedroom apartments. Attorney Patricia (representing the applicant) told the board the building is a longstanding place of assembly with vested rights and that the exterior footprint will remain unchanged while the interior is renovated.

Patricia argued that one‑bedroom units in a building with municipal water and sewer are less intense than some single‑family alternatives and pointed out adjacent multifamily buildings already exist. "We feel strongly that this fits the neighborhood better than a church with lots of traffic coming and going," she said.

Multiple neighbors testified in opposition. Elena Sweeney, who lives across Pleasant Street, questioned whether the parcel can safely accommodate four units, citing narrow streets, delivery/tractor‑trailer traffic in the area, snow‑removal constraints and the risk of on‑street parking that could impede emergency response. Letters from nearby residents documented prior demolition work and a stop‑work order that neighbors said raised trust concerns.

The applicant replied that the attic cannot be made into an additional unit (building‑code constraints), that parking calculations meet municipal requirements and that the owner will register a local property manager and provide contact information to the town. The board discussed hardship, neighborhood character and parking; the motion to grant the variances specified the condition that Planning Board site plan approval is required before building permits are issued.

Next steps: the applicant must secure Planning Board site plan approval, demonstrate compliance with building and fire codes for the proposed units, and finalize parking/snow removal plans.