Claremont Board of Adjustment Meeting – March 2, 2026

The Claremont Board of Adjustment met on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 10:00 AM. The board handled three main items: a request for rehearing of a supportive housing trust decision (denied), a variance application to place a manufactured home on a lot in an R1 district (tabled to the next meeting), and two related applications for a planned residential development on Washington Street involving a density variance and a special exception (both approved).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item B (95 Old Church Road): Multiple residents spoke in opposition to the variance. Norma Lamosh (Ward 2) argued that the variance would not be consistent with the spirit of the ordinance, that the lot is a desirable building site, and that granting it would set a harmful precedent. Kelly Schill (3 Ellis Lane) stated that a variance requires a hardship from the land itself, not personal financial hardship, and that granting it would diminish property values and create inequity. Cheryl Aiken (86 Old Church Road) expressed concern about decreased property values when she sells her home. Nancy Fowler, an abutter, stated she is against the variance because a mobile home does not fit the character of the neighborhood. No public comments were made on Item C (Washington Street development).

Discussion Items

• Item A – Request for Rehearing (Broad Street Supportive Housing Trust): The board considered whether to grant a rehearing. Staff confirmed the motion was filed on time and the appellant has standing as an aggrieved party. The board discussed whether any technical error occurred or new information was available; members found no error or new information. A motion to deny the rehearing was made and seconded, and all members voted in favor (unanimous). The original decision remains in effect.

• Item B – Variance Request (95 Old Church Road, Randy Lewis Trustee): The applicant sought a variance to allow a manufactured home (double-wide, 1,344 sq ft) on a vacant 1.14-acre lot in an R1 district where such homes are not permitted. The attorney argued that the lot abuts an AR district where manufactured homes are allowed, that modern manufactured homes are aesthetically compatible, and that the cost of stick-built construction makes the lot undevelopable. Board members questioned the roof pitch, foundation, and overall design, noting that no site plan or product specifications were provided. After public testimony opposed the variance, the board voted to continue the matter to the next meeting (April 6, 2026) to allow the applicant to submit a site map, manufacturer’s brochure, and details on roof pitch, siding, and location on the lot. The motion was made and seconded, and all voted in favor.

• Item C – Variance for Density and Special Exception (492 Washington Street, Gilberto Alexio Filho): The applicant proposed a planned residential development with 79 units: 68 multifamily apartments, 10 townhouse units (in five duplex buildings), and retaining the existing single-family home. The lot is 18.18 acres in the RR2 district. The variance requested increased density from 30,000 sq ft per unit to 10,000 sq ft per unit (one unit per 10,000 sq ft), matching the density approved for a similar project in 2016. The special exception was required under Section 22-188. Presentations from VHB (Rich Whitehouse) and a traffic engineer (Christine Triarchis) covered site design, wetland impacts, stormwater, and traffic analysis. The traffic study projected 38–45 new peak-hour trips, with the intersection operating at level of service A or B through 2037. The conservation commission gave informal support. No public comments were heard. The board discussed the criteria and found the project consistent with public interest, spirit of the ordinance, and no adverse impacts. A motion to approve the variance with conditions (including that all permits be obtained and work commence within two years) was made and seconded; all voted in favor. A motion to approve the special exception with similar conditions was made and seconded; all voted in favor.

Key Outcomes

• Item A (Rehearing): Denied. The board decided not to rehear the Broad Street supportive housing trust decision. The original decision stands.
• Item B (95 Old Church Road): Tabled. The board continued the hearing to April 6, 2026, to allow the applicant to provide additional details on the manufactured home’s design, roof pitch, siding, and site plan.
• Item C (492 Washington Street): Both the variance (ZB 2026-0002) and the special exception (ZB 2026-0003) were approved. The variance allows a maximum residential density of one unit per 10,000 square feet. The special exception permits a planned residential development of 79 units. Both approvals are subject to conditions: applicant must obtain all necessary permits (including site plan approval from the Planning Board), no work until permits are submitted and approved, and approvals are valid for two years from the date of final approval. Failure to comply constitutes a violation of the zoning ordinance.