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Commission approves three townhomes at 1607 Prentice Avenue; commissioners probe parking and driveway design
Summary
The Planning Commission approved a use permit for three townhomes at 1607 Prentice Avenue (UP‑25‑17) on a roughly 0.16‑acre lot; staff recommended approval, and commissioners pressed staff and the applicant about side setbacks and stacked driveway design required by the lot width.
The Portsmouth Planning Commission on Feb. 3 approved Use Permit UP‑25‑17, allowing the resubdivision of a vacant 0.16‑acre lot at 1607 Prentice Avenue to create three three‑story townhomes.
Planner Patrice Branch described the project as an infill development consistent with the Build 1 Portsmouth plan and the citywide strategic housing plan. Branch said the lot measures approximately 6,949 square feet and the applicant proposes two end units of about 1,300 square feet and a 1,500‑square‑foot interior unit; each unit will include a covered front porch and a second‑story rear balcony. To meet the two‑space off‑street parking requirement for townhomes, the design uses a stacked driveway configuration for the interior lot because the lot width does not permit side‑by‑side driveways.
Commissioners asked about side‑yard setbacks and parking impacts. Staff confirmed the minimum side‑yard is five feet and explained why stacked driveways were proposed: a side‑by‑side driveway for two spaces would require an 18‑foot width, but the interior lot width is approximately 17.5 feet, so the stacked driveway was recommended to satisfy the off‑street parking requirement while fitting the lot. Commissioners also raised neighborhood concerns about informal grass parking; staff said driveway ownership and use are governed by property deeds and takeover of grass by non‑owners would be addressed through enforcement if necessary.
Patrice Branch said staff recommended approval with conditions to incorporate the submitted elevations and site plan into conditions of approval. Commissioner Curry moved to approve UP‑25‑17 with conditions; Vice Chair Taylor seconded and the motion passed in an electronic vote reported as 6–0.
The applicant team — represented at the hearing by owner Curtis Nesbitt and Irving Henderson — had no registered public speakers and answered commissioners' questions during the hearing. The approval allows the project to proceed subject to the conditions adopted with the permit.
