Claremont Planning Board Meeting

The meeting was called to order at a public session on Monday, December 8, 2025, with roll call and approval of previous meeting minutes. The board conducted a public hearing for a conditional use permit, approved the 2026 meeting schedule, and received updates on zoning ordinance amendments and the master plan update process.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval (November 10, 2025): Motion to approve, seconded, passed unanimously with one abstention.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Applicant Chris Fuller (34 High Street): Presented the application for a conditional use permit to convert a single-family home at 50 West Terrace Street into a duplex. He stated that the property already has internal separation for two units, and he had consulted with the fire department and building inspector. He expressed surprise about receiving a suspicious email requesting a $4,800 fee, which the board confirmed was a scam and not a legitimate city fee. No other public testimony was offered.

Discussion Items

• Conditional Use Permit (PL 2025-00013): Staff presented the property details: a 0.79-acre triangular lot in the CR2 district, with a 2,830 sq ft single-family home that was previously used as a three-unit multifamily dwelling but has been single-family since the 1970s. The proposed duplex conversion involves interior renovation with no increase in building size, conforming to zoning regulations. Parking requirements: due to NH Senate Bill 284 effective September 13, 2025, only one parking space per unit is required, resulting in a total of two spaces (reduced from the minimum three under prior ordinance). The application is solely for a conditional use permit because a duplex requires it in the CR2 district; an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) would be by right under current state law, but the applicant chose a duplex layout. Board members asked clarifying questions about the drawings (ADU vs. duplex terminology) and expressed support for the project.
• 2026 Meeting Schedule: Reviewed a proposed schedule; one date (May 26) was noted in red because it falls on a Tuesday after Memorial Day. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Reports of Officers & Committees:
  • Zoning Ordinance Amendments: Staff reported that a holistic update is in progress to comply with multiple state law changes. Due to the complexity and need for caution to avoid unintended consequences, the amendments are expected to be brought to the board and city council in January 2026. The Zoning Ordinance Review Subcommittee will reconvene in February 2026 at the request of a board member, allowing staff time to finalize the draft.
  • Master Plan Update: The board was informed that the master plan update process will begin in January 2026, with the formation of a steering committee composed of planning board members, council members, and public volunteers. Staff requested approval to advertise for public members, which was agreed upon. Discussion included strategies for public engagement (e.g., video presentations, surveys, and potential use of facilitators from UNH Cooperative Extension). The update is required every 10 years by statute; the scope (full rewrite vs. update) will be determined by the steering committee.
• Communication: A notice from DES regarding an amendment to the AOT permit for a solar array (Kearsarge Grissom LLC) was read; it involves only a change of permittee name, with no change to operations.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Conditional Use Permit (PL 2025-00013): Motion by board member, seconded, passed unanimously (roll call not specified but recorded as all ayes). Permits the conversion of 50 West Terrace Street from single-family to duplex, subject to conditions: development must conform to the application and testimony; all necessary permits must be obtained before work commences; compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations; permit valid for two years from the date of approval.
• Approval of 2026 Meeting Schedule: Approved as submitted (unanimous).
• Next Steps: Zoning ordinance amendments expected in January 2026; Zoning Ordinance Review Subcommittee to reconvene in February 2026; Master Plan Steering Committee formation and public outreach to begin in January 2026. The applicant was advised to apply for building permits through normal processes.
• Meeting Adjourned: Motion carried unanimously.