Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Variance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Seabrook board grants homeowner a 4-foot expansion to garage
Summary
The Seabrook Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a special exception for Michael and Althea Chase to expand an accessory building at 71 Centennial Street by 4 feet (4' x 30'), increasing the garage footprint from 1,080 sq ft to 1,200 sq ft. The approval attached standard conditions, including a two-year expiration if not completed.
The Seabrook Board of Adjustment on June 26 approved a special exception allowing Michael Chase to expand an accessory building at 71 Centennial Street by 4 feet, increasing the garage from 1,080 square feet to 1,200 square feet.
Jeff Brown, chair of the Board of Adjustment, opened the meeting and the board heard from Michael Chase, the applicant, who requested a 4-foot extension so the proposed 30-by-40-foot garage would accommodate his vehicles. The petition cited Section 2 of the town zoning ordinance as the basis for the special exception.
The board applied the standard five variance criteria — whether the variance is contrary to public interest; whether the spirit of the ordinance is observed; whether substantial justice would be done; whether surrounding property values would be diminished; and whether literal enforcement would result in unnecessary hardship. Board members Fidea Azouri, Jim Sanborn, Dave Davidson, Jeff Brown and Teresa Thurlow recorded affirmative findings on each criterion.
Dave Davidson moved to grant the special exception; Jim Sanborn seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The board’s Notice of Decision specifies standard conditions, including that the granted relief expires after two years if construction is not completed and that compliance with the listed conditions is required before a building permit can be issued.
The meeting minutes record the vote and the board’s resolution; the official Notice of Decision for Case 2024-009 was issued and signed by the chairman and dated July 24, 2024. The board then recessed briefly for a non-public meeting with the Town Council before returning to the public session.
