In a hearing continued from April 9, the Francestown Zoning Board of Adjustment weighed in on three applications for variances about construction near wetlands.
The board granted a final nonconforming lot variance to applicant John Kendall, which will enable him to move forward with a potential home construction project on Bible Hill Extension.
In discussion of the variances, ZBA member Linda Kunhardt disagreed with the rest of the board on several points, citing concerns about the impact of the construction of the septic system on the adjacent wetlands.
“The work to get the septic system in there will disturb the wetlands. Its existence will degrade the water quality,” Kunhardt said. “Just because this lot exists doesn’t mean a house should be put on it. There is just too much wrong with it.”
ZBA chair Cindy St. Jean said both the state Department of Environmental Services and the Francestown Conservation Commission have approved Kendall’s plan. St. Jean read a letter from the Conservation Commission, which stated that “the proposed septic system and structure seem to be the most reasonable solutions.”
“Since the project will not harm the wetlands, it is a reasonable use of the land,” St. Jean said.
Kendall spoke on behalf of his request for the variances, saying that he felt the plan for the lot “makes more sense environmentally.”
“I think the best thing for the environment is to move the house forward on the lot. The impact to wetlands will be less because we are moving it up,” Kendall said. “Moving the house closer to the road makes sense, and it will maintain a permanent buffer to the wetland.”
ZBA member Stewart Brock said he is in favor of the project because the Conservation Commission supports it.
Kendall said he will probably build “a starter home or affordable home” on the lot.
ADU variance approved
The ZBA granted two variances on prohibited use in wetlands to Jonathan and Mariel Holdredge, who applied to construct an apartment over their garage under the town’s accessory dwelling unit ordinance.
Engineer Earl Sandford presented plans on behalf of the Holdredges, noting that the existing house was built before the setbacks were established. Sandford said a variance is required because the plan calls for a staircase between the existing house and the garage, which will extend slightly beyond the foundation. A portion of the new ADU will also overhang the foundation by 2 feet.
St. Jean spoke in favor of granting the variance.
“We have a great need for ADUs, because we have a need for retaining residents, as well as attracting new ones, and that is consistent with our master plan,” St. Jean said.
The board voted unanimously to grant the variance.
No decision in Lawrence hearing
The ZBA did not vote on an application by Philip Lawrence, who is requesting two variances for prohibited uses for a vernal pool in a conservation district at 74-76 Davis Lane, citing a need for more information about the property.
“I feel we don’t have enough info to make a decision without a recommendation from the Conservation Commission,” St. Jean said.
Lawrence was previously denied variances on a different proposal for the property.
Ben Robinson of Bedford Design said the new proposed plan for the Lawrence property aims to preserve the existing wildlife habitat on the land.
“We have held the house location as tight as we can to the setbacks in order to minimize wildlife habitat fragmentation, especially for amphibians,” Robinson said.
The ZBA plans to vote on the application at its next meeting in June.
