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Board approves two‑story garage/workshop at 140 Summer Street after neighbors raise setback concerns
Summary
Owner Nathaniel Lross won the board's approval to replace a failing one‑story garage with a two‑story attached garage/workshop; supporters said it will move noisy woodworking indoors, while opponents warned the taller structure sits close to abutting property lines.
The Portsmouth Board of Adjustment voted 4 to 3 on Feb. 18 to approve variances allowing a two‑story attached garage and workshop at 140 Summer Street.
Owner Nathaniel Lross said the existing one‑story garage is deteriorated and that the proposed replacement would preserve on‑site parking, consolidate noisy woodworking indoors and maintain the courtyard character at the corner of Chatham and Summer streets. Designer Chris Kyper told the board the design sought to balance the workshop need with neighborhood scale and preserve a courtyard-like feel.
Some board members and neighbors expressed concern that a two‑story structure would sit as close as four feet from the property line and could affect light, air and privacy for adjacent parcels. Lross and supporters argued the lot's irregular shape, corner orientation, and nearby institutional neighbors (a church and funeral home) create unique constraints that justify relief.
After deliberation the board approved the variances, permitting the owner to seek building permits. The vote was divided; members who supported the project cited contextual fit and the benefit of moving noisy outdoor work into a contained space; members opposing the application said the project lacked a hardship that required encroachment of the proposed scale.
The applicant may proceed with required technical and code reviews during permitting.
