Zoning board approves variances to formalize long‑standing fence agreement at 65 Thornton Road

Rob Shaw, chair of the City of Nashua Zoning Board of Adjustment, opened a public hearing Dec. 10 on a lot‑line adjustment request affecting 65 Thornton Road and 1 White Oak Drive and the board unanimously approved three variances needed to record the change.

Applicants Robert and Lisa Bollinger said they and the owners of 65 Thornton Road, Dominic and Stacy Desrosiers, have relied on a private fence‑line agreement since about 2008. Lisa Bollinger told the board the proposal would swap pie‑shaped pieces of land so property lines match the visible fence and said the change "codifies the very situation agreement that has been in place for almost 20 years." She said the adjustment would not add infrastructure or change the single‑family character of the lots.

Board members asked procedural and background questions about timing and next steps; Bollinger confirmed the variance must be approved before the parties submit a lot‑line adjustment to the Planning Board and a plan will be recorded at the registry of deeds. Several members cited the long‑standing nature of the agreement and the shape of the lots as special conditions supporting relief.

A board member moved to approve the three variances — for minimum lot frontage (100 ft required; 70 ft proposed), minimum lot width (120 ft required; 79.7 ft proposed) and minimum right‑side yard setback (20 ft required; 14.9 ft proposed) — noting the change prevents future ownership disputes and does not alter neighborhood character. The motion was seconded and the board voted unanimously, 5–0, to grant the variances.

The chair reminded applicants there is a 30‑day window to file a rehearing request and advised them on next steps with the Planning Department and recording the new plan.