Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting

The Zoning Board heard four agenda items: variance and subdivision relief for 136 Havel Road, a finding for an addition at 10 Portsmouth Road, a special-permit/variance conversion for 253 Main Street, and a continued comprehensive-permit (40B) review for 27 Kimball Road. The board approved the 136 Havel Road variance to split a family lot and permit a new single-family house, subject to two stipulations: a definitive subdivision and review by the Conservation Commission agent to confirm permitting needs. The board granted the requested finding for 10 Portsmouth Road (an addition built over an existing deck footprint) after discussion about whether the existing deck was a legal nonconforming structure, and approved the conversion special permit for 253 Main Street to allow two residential units after finding parking and K-1 conditions were satisfied.

The bulk of public discussion focused on the continued 27 Kimball Road 40B application. BSC (peer reviewer) presented a transportation peer-review memo that generally concurred with the project traffic study methodology but flagged sight-distance, vegetation-clearing, sidewalk/ADA grade, traffic calming and driveway/access items. The applicant’s traffic consultant described sight-distance mitigation, driveway design to meet standards, and proposed intersection improvements and traffic-calming commitments; fire access and circulation analyses were also presented. Numerous abutters and residents voiced safety concerns (speaking to vehicle speeds, sight distance, school-bus stops, pedestrian access and emergency access), and asked the board to rely on BSC’s independent review and consider a roadway safety audit (RSA). In response the board voted to ask city planning to research RSA feasibility, costs, funding and timeline; the 27 Kimball Road hearing was continued to August 27 to allow further review and coordination with peer reviewers, Conservation comments, and city departments.