Planning Board approves two‑lot subdivision on Green Acres Drive with conditions

The Gilford Planning Board voted to approve a Conditional Use Permit and a two‑lot subdivision for Bouchard Holdings at 24 Green Acres Drive. The lot split divides a 3.608‑acre parcel into a 2.0‑acre lot served off the private Green Acres Drive and a 1.608‑acre lot with frontage on Young Road; the Zoning Board of Adjustment previously granted a variance to allow use of an existing 20‑foot right‑of‑way where 50 feet is normally required.

Gaye Fedorchak, Vice‑chair, summarized the board's view on the variance: "the lot now meets the criteria after the variance. The access from Green Acres Drive is now legitimatized." Conditions of approval require that no structures be placed within the 20‑foot right‑of‑way, that the plan be updated to show the house under construction and a minimum 50‑foot setback for the flagged lot, removal of an outdated note on the adjacent conservation lot, and that the applicant obtain any other federal, state, or local approvals.

Attorney Brett Allard and surveyor Jacques Belanger represented the applicant; abutters Paul and Donna Flaherty spoke in opposition, raising concerns about flag‑lot access and prior expectations for open field. Planning staff (Director John Ayer) noted the matter of frontage definitions in the ordinance and that the 2008 lot configuration originally relied on Young Road frontage. On a motion by Chan Eddy, seconded by Gaye Fedorchak, the board approved the conditional use permit and subdivision; the motion carried unanimously.