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Planning board recommends special-use permit for accessory dwelling at 201 Ann Street
Summary
The Beaufort Planning Board recommended approval of a special-use permit for an accessory dwelling unit at 201 Ann Street, citing compatibility with the traditional neighborhood residential land-use classification and noting the property’s location in the local historic district. The matter moves to an evidentiary hearing on March 9.
BEAUFORT — The Beaufort Planning Board recommended approval of a special-use permit for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) proposed at 201 Ann Street, a property in the town’s local historic district.
Planning staff told the board the property is in the Transitional (TR) zoning district, where ADUs are allowed as special uses, and that the site is designated traditional neighborhood residential in the town’s future land-use map. Staff noted the primary structure displays a historic plaque identifying it as the James Davis House (1817) and said the owner must receive a certificate of appropriateness from the Beaufort Historic Preservation Commission before construction that would alter visible elements of the site.
“The subject property is within the local historic district,” planning staff said, and design guidelines will control visible aspects such as walls, roofs, decks, porches, paving, landscaping and lighting; staff also explained the lot is a 52-foot-wide, existing nonconforming lot, which yields a five-foot side setback for the accessory structure despite TR district standards.
Eric Lindstrom, who identified himself as “the member manager of Hayes Hayes Loft Investments” and the applicant, described plans to expand and renovate an existing backyard shed to add roughly 100 square feet of heated space, a screened entry porch and an outdoor shower, and to add a two-car driveway. “This is going to be an allergy‑friendly guest house for my friends and family,” Lindstrom said, adding the owner has letters of support from nearby neighbors.
Board members asked staff about setback rules, whether roof eaves could encroach, and whether the board could place conditions limiting short‑term rental use. Planning staff said the TR district’s standard setback is eight feet but the existing nonconforming lot dimension results in a five‑foot side setback in this case; staff and legal counsel said the board has conditioned special‑use permits in the past and that restrictions on rentals are possible if the applicant agrees.
A board member moved to recommend approval of the special‑use permit and the motion passed on a voice vote. Planning staff said neighbors will be notified for an evidentiary hearing scheduled for March 9; the ADU will also require subsequent COA review by the Historic Preservation Commission before construction proceeds.
The board’s recommendation advances the application to the Board of Commissioners and to the historic‑district COA review; no final building permits will be issued until those approvals are completed.
