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Owner seeks to replace failing barn at Lynen Cottage with small multifamily units; board encourages low‑impact reuse
Summary
Jeremy Hill told the Plaistow Planning Board he plans to remove a structurally failing barn at 18 Elm Street and pursue a historically sympathetic replacement that could provide modest multifamily housing (three units) targeted to downsizing households; the board offered guidance on site‑plan, septic and permitting needs.
Jeremy Hill, owner of the Lynen Cottage property at 18 Elm Street, presented a conceptual plan on April 15 to remove a structurally failing barn and replace it with a historically sympathetic structure that would preserve the site’s character while creating usable residential units.
Hill said the barn is uninsured and structurally compromised; he and co‑owner Liz described options explored over several years, including a bed‑and‑breakfast, which they said is unlikely given market and underwriting constraints, and adaptive reuse as residential rental units. Hill said an earlier engineering analysis suggested the site could support up to six bedrooms; at concept level he and the board discussed a lower‑impact approach of three dwelling units (each roughly two bedrooms) to create attractive downsizer housing and to reduce parking and operational complexity.
Why it matters: The conversation touches local housing needs (senior downsizing and emergency/displacement housing) and historic character. The board was supportive of a limited‑impact residential solution and outlined the permits and steps Hill should follow: submit a formal site plan, provide septic/leach‑field design and test pits for HDES review, pursue demolition permits and hazardous‑materials checks before razing the barn, and coordinate with the building inspector and fire chief regarding egress, sprinklers and code thresholds.
Board guidance and technical steps: Staff said the applicant should submit a site plan that explains the intended use (multifamily or adaptive reuse), show septic and leach‑field locations and expected utility upgrades (town water is available), and anticipate conditional approvals tied to septic design and any state reviews. Board members suggested that modular construction could shorten on‑site build time and recommended that at least two units be designed for accessibility if targeting seniors. The board also advised consulting the building inspector early about demolition permitting and possible lead or other hazardous‑material abatement.
Next steps: Hill was directed to prepare a site‑plan application; staff noted the application deadline of April 29 for placement on the May 20 agenda (or earlier if possible). The board indicated it would accept a conditional approval path tied to receiving septic and state approvals.
