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Record of Proceedings

Nashua Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – September 23, 2026

Board of Aldermen Meetings — Wednesday, September 23, 2026

BodyNashua, New Hampshire

SessionBoard of Aldermen Meetings

DateWednesday, September 23, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:04:51

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:46

Good evening, everybody.

0:47

Oops, sorry for talking so closely to the mic.

0:50

And welcome to the September 22nd meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

0:54

My name is Jay Mankara, ZBA Chair.

0:57

To my right is ZBA Vice Chair Josh Neely.

1:00

Across the stage is Member JP Boucher and Member Joseph Patrick.

1:07

So we only have four tonight.

1:16

So just a few items of business.

1:18

So we have this evening requests for variances and special exceptions.

1:24

A special exception is a request to deviate from the terms of the ordinance, but I should say is a use that's allowed under the ordinance, so long as certain criteria are met.

2:06

So in terms of order of business, I'll read each case into the record, and then the applicant will be invited to come up to the podium.

2:14

Applicants have up to 15 minutes to address the board.

2:18

You don't have to use all 15 minutes, but you do have it available to you.

2:22

And then following that, I will ask if there's anybody in the audience who wishes to speak in favor of the application.

2:31

Anyone wishing to speak in favor will have the opportunity again, come up to the podium, uh, state your name and address for the record, and you have up to five minutes to address the board.

2:41

Following that, I'll ask if there's anybody in the audience who has questions, concerns, or opposition to the application.

2:48

Once again, you would uh be invited to come up to the podium, and you'd have up to five minutes to address the board.

2:54

Following that, if necessary, um, the applicant will have the opportunity uh to have up to five minutes to provide a rebuttal or answer any questions that might have been raised uh during public comments.

3:07

And then following that, if there's any interest uh or need, we do provide the opportunity for one person who spoke with questions, concerns or opposition to speak on behalf of anybody else, if there is anybody to speak on behalf of, uh, to uh address the board and really have the last say.

3:24

And again, that individual would have up to five minutes.

3:27

Um with that, I am going to ask, I I should have um of course also noted Sam Durfee, uh planning manager is to my left.

3:37

Uh Mr.

3:37

Durfee, are there any changes to the agenda this evening?

3:40

There are not.

3:41

Thank you.

3:41

So with that, I'm going to call roll.

3:43

Uh Mr.

3:43

Petrie.

3:44

Uh president.

3:44

Mr.

3:45

Boucher.

3:46

Present.

3:46

Mr.

3:46

Neely.

3:47

Present.

3:47

And I, Jay McCara, am present.

3:50

Uh so I'm going to start with the first case.

3:52

So the first case is the application of Clint and Mary Licorice and 19 VISTA Way requesting a special exception from land use code section 190-112 to work in a 40-foot critical wetland buffer to remove 21 trees identified as a danger to the House.

4:10

This case was had been postponed until July 28th, has been continued uh to this evening.

4:18

Feel free to address the board.

4:20

Yes, good evening.

4:21

We've seen you again.

4:23

Yes, sir.

4:25

One second.

4:25

Um I think are we postponing three air road.

4:29

If so, I was not aware of that.

4:30

Are we postponing three air road?

4:32

Oh my goodness, that is a change to the agenda.

4:35

I apologize.

4:36

Uh I did not catch that.

4:38

Um if you are here this evening for the air road, three air road case, that is being postponed until um November 10th.

4:47

So again, sorry I missed that.

4:49

November 10th.

4:50

I apologize for missing that.

4:52

Thank you.

4:55

Yes, good evening, and thank you for your time and due consideration.

5:00

Obviously, I uh we spoke uh a few weeks ago.

5:02

I don't plan on repeating or reiterating anything that I said at that time, I'm assuming, unless you've got any questions on what I said previously.

5:10

But I do have one clarification.

5:13

Um I think I stated that the wetland buffer where the trees reside, abut other conservation areas.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Zoning Variances██████████████████████████████████████38%

Public Safety██████████████████18%

Wetland Management███████████████15%

Neighbor Relations████████8%

Procedural████████8%

Traffic And Parking██████6%

Public Works██2%

Transportation Safety██2%

Affordable Housing█1%

Summary of Proceedings

Nashua Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting – September 23, 2026

The Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) held a regular meeting on September 23, 2026, with Chair Jay Mankara, Vice Chair Josh Neely, members JP Boucher and Joseph Patrick (four members present). The board heard five applications for variances and special exceptions. Key decisions included approval of a special exception for tree removal in a wetland buffer, approval of driveway width and setback variances, and approval of a personal service use variance for a commercial building.

Public Comments & Testimony

19 Vista Way (Tree removal): Applicants Clint and Mary Licorice and their arborist, Kevin Fred (Gate City Tree Service, 45 years experience), argued that 21 trees pose a danger to their home and requested removal for safety. Mr. Fred testified that the trees are within striking distance and the family sleeps in the basement during storms. The Conservation Commission chair (name not provided, address 18 Sport Terrace) opposed, stating tree-fall deaths are rare, the homeowners chose a conservation subdivision, and replacement of the trees (80–100 inches DBH) would be impractical.
30 Edwards Street (Driveway width): Applicant Carlith Torres requested a variance to keep existing 43-foot driveway width; a neighbor letter from Leonardo Aguillian supported, citing improved safety.
181 East Hollis Street (Front setback): Attorney Laura Gandhi represented the applicant, arguing the irregularly shaped lot with two frontages makes it impossible to meet the 15-foot setback on both sides; no public comments for or against.
Norwich Road (Rear setback): Applicant’s representative Justin Mancini presented a modest home addition; no public opposition.
2 Adela Drive (Garage setback): Contractor Peter Montasati explained the need for a three-car garage to replace one being converted to an in-law apartment; no public comments.
413 South Main Street (Personal service use): Attorney Brad Westgate presented the applicant’s case to allow aesthetics services in an existing office building. Neighbors from Eastman Street (Cynthia Knowles, Colleen Valente) opposed, citing concerns about traffic, safety, and past issues with the property. An employee (Kayla Gutierrez) and a neighbor (Hung Hai Gardnier) spoke in favor, noting responsible ownership and the building’s commercial character.

Discussion Items

19 Vista Way – Special Exception to Remove 21 Trees: The board discussed the safety risk, the arborist's testimony, and the Conservation Commission’s negative recommendation. Member Neely emphasized the safety card and the family’s fear; members Boucher and Patrick noted the arborist’s credibility and the large forested area (318 acres). Concerns about setting a precedent were raised. The motion to approve included conditions: work restricted to November 1–April 1, stumps left in place, no vehicles in wetland.
30 Edwards Street – Driveway Width Variance: The board noted the corner lot, traffic on Kinsley Street, and the need for off-street parking. Unanimous support.
181 East Hollis Street – Front Setback Variance for 48-unit Building: The board acknowledged the lot’s unique shape and the compatibility with neighboring residential developments. Approved unanimously.
Norwich Road – Rear Setback Variance: The addition was seen as reasonable and not out of character; lot irregularity justified the encroachment.
2 Adela Drive – Front Setback Variance for Garage: The board considered the double-frontage lot, safety concerns about Tinker Road traffic, and the multi-generational housing need.
413 South Main Street – Personal Service Use Variance: Board members debated neighborhood relations, parking usage, and whether traffic would increase. They concluded that the interior use change would not alter the building’s external impact. Motion to approve carried.

Key Outcomes

Special Exception for tree removal (19 Vista Way): Approved (3-0). Conditions include seasonality (Nov 1–Apr 1), leaving stumps, and no vehicles in buffer.
Variance for driveway width (30 Edwards Street): Approved (3-0).
Variance for front setback (181 East Hollis Street): Approved (3-0).
Variance for rear setback (Norwich Road): Approved (3-0).
Variance for garage setback (2 Adela Drive): Approved (3-0).
Variance for personal service use (413 South Main Street): Approved (3-0).
Minutes from September 9 meeting were approved as drafted.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:34 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everybody. Oops, sorry for talking so closely to the mic. And welcome to the September 22nd meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. My name is Jay Mankara, ZBA Chair. To my right is ZBA Vice Chair Josh Neely. Across the stage is Member JP Boucher and Member Joseph Patrick. So we only have four tonight. So just a few items of business. So we have this evening requests for variances and special exceptions. A special exception is a request to deviate from the terms of the ordinance, but I should say is a use that's allowed under the ordinance, so long as certain criteria are met. So in terms of order of business, I'll read each case into the record, and then the applicant will be invited to come up to the podium. Applicants have up to 15 minutes to address the board. You don't have to use all 15 minutes, but you do have it available to you. And then following that, I will ask if there's anybody in the audience who wishes to speak in favor of the application. Anyone wishing to speak in favor will have the opportunity again, come up to the podium, uh, state your name and address for the record, and you have up to five minutes to address the board. Following that, I'll ask if there's anybody in the audience who has questions, concerns, or opposition to the application. Once again, you would uh be invited to come up to the podium, and you'd have up to five minutes to address the board. Following that, if necessary, um, the applicant will have the opportunity uh to have up to five minutes to provide a rebuttal or answer any questions that might have been raised uh during public comments. And then following that, if there's any interest uh or need, we do provide the opportunity for one person who spoke with questions, concerns or opposition to speak on behalf of anybody else, if there is anybody to speak on behalf of, uh, to uh address the board and really have the last say. And again, that individual would have up to five minutes. Um with that, I am going to ask, I I should have um of course also noted Sam Durfee, uh planning manager is to my left. Uh Mr. Durfee, are there any changes to the agenda this evening? There are not. Thank you. So with that, I'm going to call roll. Uh Mr. Petrie. Uh president. Mr. Boucher. Present. Mr. Neely. Present. And I, Jay McCara, am present. Uh so I'm going to start with the first case. So the first case is the application of Clint and Mary Licorice and 19 VISTA Way requesting a special exception from land use code section 190-112 to work in a 40-foot critical wetland buffer to remove 21 trees identified as a danger to the House. This case was had been postponed until July 28th, has been continued uh to this evening. Feel free to address the board. Yes, good evening. We've seen you again. Yes, sir. One second. Um I think are we postponing three air road. If so, I was not aware of that. Are we postponing three air road? Oh my goodness, that is a change to the agenda. I apologize. Uh I did not catch that.

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