Claremont Planning Board Meeting - February 23, 2026

The Claremont Planning Board met on Monday, February 23, 2026, to review and approve a conditional use permit for a property at 108 Pleasant Street, converting a vacant commercial space to a residential unit, resulting in a three-unit multifamily dwelling. The board also approved minutes from the February 9, 2026 meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The board approved the minutes from the February 9, 2026 meeting with a correction on page 6 (changing "silk fencing" to "silt fencing"). Motion carried unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Yuri O'King, an abutter at the rear of the property, expressed support for the conversion but raised concerns about parking, traffic, and safety. She asked about the traffic flow (entering from Pleasant Street) and whether cars might cut through the adjacent vacant lot (42 Summer Street) owned by the applicant. She also inquired about future plans for that lot. The board clarified that the parking layout would remain unchanged (compliant with one space per unit), and any future development of the Summer Street lot would come before the board separately. O'King stated she had no objections to the conversion as long as safety is maintained.

Discussion Items

• Application PL 2026-0002 – Tipu Shazda, 108 Pleasant Street: Planning staff (Austin) presented the proposal. The subject property is a 0.37-acre parcel in the mixed-use district with a 5,881 sq ft building. The ground floor currently has an approved rear residential unit and a vacant commercial space. The applicant sought a conditional use permit to convert the remaining commercial space to a second street-level dwelling unit, resulting in a total of three residential units. The property already meets parking requirements (one space per unit), and no site plan approval is needed. Board members noted the straightforward nature of the request, as the property conditions had not changed substantially since a prior approval in September 2024. The applicant stated the commercial space was no longer viable and that the unit would house an employee.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Application PL 2026-0002: The board unanimously approved the conditional use permit (motion by Akin Verdict, seconded by Jonathan Elson) subject to five conditions: (1) substantial conformance with application materials and public hearing testimony; (2) obtain all necessary permits; (3) no work until permits and compliance documents are approved; (4) failure to comply constitutes a zoning ordinance violation; (5) permit valid for two years. Motion passed with all members present voting aye.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned after other business.