Council grants warehouse use permit for 935 Queen Street; council asks staff to review zoning

Portsmouth City Council voted 6-0 on June 9 to grant a use permit (UP-26-02) allowing warehouse use at 935 Queen Street after owner Peter Youngblood described the building’s long-standing function and asked to be permitted to continue that use under the new downtown zoning.

Peter Youngblood told the council the building—built in 1918 and used for storage and maker activity—is largely a nonconforming warehouse and that the owners’ request to be grandfathered had been denied. "The building was built in 1918... it is in the classic sense just a warehouse," Youngblood said, explaining that the structure has no office space, heat, or hot water and currently houses offsite storage and community arts projects.

Council members used the presentation to discuss the impacts of recent zoning changes tied to the link-district plan. Councilman Dodson suggested staff provide a memo evaluating whether current zoning maps accurately reflect existing maker and warehouse activity along the corridor; Councilman Hugle and others noted the city is encouraging mixed-use redevelopment but also acknowledged existing maker uses and storage that serve local arts and small-business operations.

Planning staff recommended approval with conditions; after a brief exchange between council and manager’s office, the council adopted the resolution by electronic vote 6-0.

Next steps: staff will follow planning department procedures on conditions and will provide guidance to council on whether a zoning map or code adjustment is advisable for the corridor.

Provenance: Topic introduced at SEG 396 (clerk reading resolution) and concluded at SEG 611 (vote recorded).