Hampstead Zoning Board approves three variances, continues two hearings

The Hampstead Zoning Board of Adjustment on June 3, 2026 continued two public hearings to July 8 and approved three variance requests that the board said were limited, site-specific exceptions to the town zoning rules.

Chairman Kevin Hastings opened the meeting at Hampstead Town Hall and announced continuances for Map 1 Lot 091-7 (5 Endicott Lane) and Map 8 Lot 110 (219 Main Street) to the July 8 public hearing. Hastings said both applicants requested the continuances and the board voted to reschedule each matter.

Property owner Pam Sheedy asked the board to permit construction of an 8-by-20-foot deck at 99 Wash Pond Road (Map 9 Lot 019), requesting rear setbacks of 15 feet and 20 feet where 50 feet is required in Recreation Zone B. Sheedy told the board she has state Shoreland approval and has already replaced the septic and well on the property; she said the state allows a 12-foot shoreline setback and she is seeking a smaller, 8-foot deck. An adjacent neighbor, John Pierce, told the board he supports the request. The board voted 5-0 to grant the variance (motion by Jaye Dimando; second by Neil Reardon). The board’s findings recorded support from the Conservation Commission, the state Shoreland approval, abutter support, that the existing deck was in disrepair and presented a safety issue, and that the lot is a pre-existing nonconforming shoreline parcel.

At Map 18 Lot 085 (70 Danville Road), Ryan Lavelle of Lavelle & Associates asked for relief to create a 44,785-square-foot lot where the ordinance requires 45,000 square feet, a dimensional reduction of 215 square feet. Lavelle said nearby parcels are often smaller than the zoning requirement, and that the parcel meets Hampstead’s HISS soil-loading standards with no wetlands on site. The board approved the variance 5-0 (motion by Dimando; second by Reardon) and Chairman Hastings announced a 30-day appeal period.

The board also granted variances for Map 3 Lots 91B, 91D and 110 (Longview Drive) to allow a combined 33,470-square-foot lot, reduced front and side setbacks, and to waive frontage on an approved town road. Shayne Gendron of Herbert Associates represented the applicant, describing plans to combine three pre-existing nonconforming lots and to access the parcel via a 20-foot private right-of-way. Board member Jaye Dimando recused herself from that matter and alternate Neil Emerson was seated to vote. An abutter representative, David Ducharme, said he was generally comfortable with the merger so long as the private right-of-way is maintained; the board added a special condition requiring a hold-harmless/release of liability from the property owner and approved the variances 5-0 (motion by Kevin Hastings; Emerson added the special condition and seconded). The minutes note that state septic and Shoreland approvals had not yet been obtained and that a building permit will not be issued until required state approvals and foundation certification are in place.

The board unanimously approved the May 6, 2026 minutes and adjourned at 8:20 P.M. (motion to adjourn by Hastings; second by Dimando). Secretary Debbie Soucy prepared the minutes. Several approvals carry a 30-day appeal period under state law.