Hooksett Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – May 12, 2026

The Hooksett Zoning Board of Adjustment met on May 12, 2026, starting at 6:30 PM, with a full board present. The meeting covered approval of minutes from six prior meetings, a continuance request, and four public hearings resulting in unanimous approvals for variances and one zoning relief. The board also discussed future scheduling and communication with applicants.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The board approved minutes from December 9, 2025; January 13, 2026; a site walk on January 17, 2026; February 10, 2026; April 14, 2026; and April 28, 2026. All motions passed with board members abstaining when absent from the respective meetings. The January 17 site walk minutes recorded attendance by board members and planning/conservation representatives.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during any of the public hearings. The board opened and closed each public comment period without participation from the audience.

Discussion Items

• Continued Public Hearing – Martin Bernard (Z2523 & Z2524): Applicant’s attorney requested a continuance to June 9, 2026, citing the need to review the town drainage engineer’s anticipated response. The board granted the continuance unanimously, acknowledging that the requested drainage study was not yet complete.
• Robert Cochran (Z26-03) – Variance for ADU Interior Door: The applicant sought relief from Article 27, Section C3, which requires an interior door between the principal unit and accessory dwelling unit. The addition was built with a concrete foundation wall and septic piping preventing a door. The board found that literal enforcement would cause unnecessary hardship due to site constraints, and approved the variance unanimously.
• Marie Adams & Jason Adams (Z26-08) – Variance for Shed Placement: The applicants requested a variance from Article 5, Section F5 to place a prefabricated 10’x16’ shed in the front yard (35 feet from the house, 81 feet from the road) due to steep topography and a septic system in the rear. The board determined the hardship was justified and the shed would not diminish property values. The variance was approved unanimously.
• John McNamara (Z26-09) – Variance for Front Setback: The applicant sought a variance from Article 5, Section 3A to build an addition with a 15-foot front setback where 35 feet is required, on a corner lot with two front yards. The addition would replace an existing screen room. The board noted the lot’s curvature and small size (0.26 acres) as creating hardship. Four neighbors submitted letters of support. The variance was approved unanimously, with a suggestion to plant shrubbery as a buffer.
• DJ Development of Dairy LLC (Z26-10) – Variance for Wetland Buffer Encroachment: The applicant requested relief from Article 18, Section G2A to allow grading within the 40-foot wetland buffer for construction of a wet pond (approximately 3,500 sq ft encroachment). The pond is needed for stormwater management on a proposed eight-townhome development. The board found the encroachment minimal and temporary, and that the pond would improve water quality. The variance was approved unanimously.
• DJ Development of Dairy LLC (Z26-11) – Variance for Density: The applicant sought a variance from Article 5, Section D3B to permit eight townhome units where the maximum allowed was 7.97 units (two units per two acres). The board noted the ordinance is silent on rounding and that the parcel is only 3% deficient (approx. 1,350 sq ft). The variance was approved unanimously, with the board noting the units are larger (2,100 sq ft each) and consistent with the neighborhood.

Key Outcomes

• Continuance Granted: Martin Bernard matter continued to June 9, 2026 (unanimous).
• Variance Approved – Robert Cochran: Relief from interior door requirement for ADU (unanimous).
• Variance Approved – Marie & Jason Adams: Shed placement in front yard (unanimous).
• Variance Approved – John McNamara: Front setback reduction for addition (unanimous).
• Variance Approved – DJ Development (Z26-10): Wetland buffer encroachment for wet pond (unanimous).
• Variance Approved – DJ Development (Z26-11): Density allowance for 8 units (unanimous).
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for June 9, 2026, with the continued Martin Bernard hearing and other potential items.
• Board Discussion: Members noted the need for better communication with applicants regarding continuances and urged earlier submission of materials to avoid last-minute requests.