Planning board approves two‑lot subdivision at 0 South Street; neighbors raise safety and history concerns

The Portsmouth Planning Board voted April 16 to grant preliminary and final subdivision approval for a 0.4‑acre parcel at 0 South Street, allowing the property to be divided into two single‑family lots served by city utilities.

Applicant Alex Monastero (Chimburg Builders) told the board the project’s conceptual layout demonstrates compliance with lot coverage, frontage and zoning regulations and includes driveway access and utility connections. Plans show grading, proposed driveways, and stormwater routing with utilities in the rear via an easement.

Public commenters tied the property to a local family history: Michael Griffin said the parcel came through several generations of the Griffin family and described the animals that had historically been kept on the land. Carol Adams Melcher urged sensitivity to pedestrian safety and said she opposed locating driveways on Richards Avenue because of existing sight‑line and turning constraints.

Board members pressed applicants about tree retention, sight distances and driveway locations. The applicant said two trees in the middle of the proposed driveways will likely be removed, that driveways will include turnarounds to limit backing onto South Street, and that the Department of Public Works did not support a Richards Avenue driveway due to drainage and distance requirements. One member said the turnarounds "help in alleviating some of that" pedestrian risk. After deliberation the board voted to adopt the staff findings and grant the subdivision approval with the conditions outlined in the staff memo.

What happens next: The applicant will proceed to finalize building designs, apply for building permits and coordinate required utility and grading approvals as the project moves into the permitting and construction phase.