The Manchester Zoning Board is set to convene on February 12, 2025, at 18:00 to discuss several proposals that could significantly impact local neighborhoods. Residents unable to attend can watch the meeting live on Manchester Public Television, Channel 22, with the full agenda available online.
Key Proposals Under Consideration
Among the cases on the agenda is the proposal for a property at 373 Bartlett Street. The applicant seeks to create one new dwelling unit, resulting in a three-family dwelling on a lot with only 5,000 square feet of buildable area, where 10,000 square feet is required. The request includes variances for reduced lot frontage, side yard setbacks, and an insufficient landscape buffer. Specifically, the applicant is seeking relief from multiple sections of the Zoning Ordinance, including those related to multi-family dwellings and parking layout.
Another significant proposal involves 806-814 Elm Street, where the applicant aims to remove a condition from a previous case that mandated a wall sign be tenant-related. This change would allow the installation of an electronic message center not tied to any tenants, seeking a variance from the Zoning Ordinance concerning conditions of approval.
At 503 Hanover Street, the applicant is looking to convert the property into a three-family dwelling with variances for lot area, yard setbacks, and parking arrangements. This lot has 8,400 square feet, falling short of the 10,000 square feet requirement, while also requesting adjustments for insufficient landscaping and parking configurations.
Additional Variances Requested
The proposal at 747 Beech Street aims to construct a shed dormer with a side yard setback of 8 feet, well below the 20 feet required. The applicant is also seeking a variance to increase the floor area ratio to 0.62, above the permissible 0.50 in the R-2 Zoning District.
A more extensive development is proposed at 185 Woodland Avenue, where the applicant plans a project consisting of five six-unit and two eight-unit townhouse dwellings, totaling 46 units. This plan requests variances for insufficient lot frontage, side yard setbacks, and exceeding height restrictions, along with parking setbacks and landscaping requirements.
Lastly, at 251 Pine Street, the applicant seeks to convert commercial space into additional dwelling units, resulting in a total of 12 units on a lot that does not meet the minimum buildable area of 18,500 square feet. Variances from the Zoning Ordinance regarding lot area are also requested.
The meeting will also cover additional proposals, including those involving accessory structures at 84 Healion Street and a new single-family dwelling at 250 Dunbar Street, both requiring variances for setbacks and structures.
The Planning Board held a public hearing on February 5, 2025, but no decisions were made during that session. Residents interested in the outcomes can view the meeting on-demand via Manchester Public Television.
As local communities watch these developments closely, the decisions made by the Zoning Board could have lasting implications for housing density and urban planning in Manchester.
