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ZBA approves McNab Court renovation: three‑story addition and porch variances granted
Summary
The Portsmouth Board of Adjustment approved variances to allow a three‑story rear addition, front porch, and minor setback/coverage relief for 53 McNab Court; neighbors supported the application and board found special conditions merit relief.
Alexander and Lauren Leage won approval from the Board of Adjustment on Jan. 21 to renovate their home at 53 McNab Court, where they proposed demolishing a one‑story enclosed porch and constructing a three‑story addition plus an open front porch.
The applicants said the house is on a narrow, older lot and that neighboring houses have undergone similar upgrades. They argued literal enforcement of current frontage and coverage rules would create an unnecessary hardship because the parcel predates GR zoning standards and is substantially undersized compared with modern lot requirements.
Board members noted that three of the four homes on the dead‑end street already have similar additions and that the proposal is modest and consistent with the block. After staff questions about an unused administrative exception for front‑yard alignment, the board voted to grant the requested variances and recorded findings that the project will not diminish surrounding property values.
The board asked the applicants to coordinate final plan details with planning staff before permitting and to consider the front‑yard alignment exception for future filings, which staff offered to help evaluate.
