By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
CLAREMONT, N.H. — The Claremont Zoning Board of Adjustments unanimously approved an application for a special exception to allow a home on Thrasher Road to erect a farm stand that would offer various foods and crafts.
City Planner Austin Ford explained to the ZBA on Monday that the property is 2.5 acre lot, and he told the board that the wish of the applicants, Vicki and John Ward of 172 Thrasher Road, is to sell baked goods and crafts.
Vicki Ward spoke with the ZBA, saying that the building is an 8×12 foot shed that they are making into a farm stand, so it is nothing that will be built onto the home.
“The goods will be produced in the single-family home on the lot,” Ford said. “This will not involve any changes made to the home.”
Ford said that city staff has spoken with the Wards and determined that the proposed use is “entirely conforming” with city requirements for home occupation. Home occupations are permitted in the R1 District with special exception.
“The applicant plans to construct a small farm stand, which will be permitted as an acceptable accessory building,” Ford said. “Customers will visit the property to make purchases at the farm stand, so the use will require on-site parking. The lot has a large curved driveway adjacent to the new structure.”
Ford said that the parking shall be required for the number of clientele, as well as deliveries, and the ZBA will determine the amount of required spaces.
Ford noted that the applicants have a zoning permit and an administrative waiver of site plan review.
The only abutter concern pertained to parking, as neighbor Mark Limoges asked how this will be handled and if there will be parking out into the street. Ward said that the driveway will be easily accessible, with a spot where people can pull into properly and turn around. After hearing from Ward he said he had no further questions or concerns.
The board members were in agreement that the application met all the conditions of granting a special exception.
“I think it’s far enough out and the lot’s big enough,” said ZBA Chair Michael Hurd. “I think they have enough room. The size of this isn’t like a major commercial entity that’s going to go out there.”
Board member Michael Lemieux said he can’t imagine it affecting property values in the area, saying it is “low impact” and not like it is a major retailer.
Hurd also said since customers will basically be in and out, it should not present any sort of “nuisance,” which is one of the requirements for an exception. There are also no issues with water and sewer, and there should be no adverse impacts to neighbors. Hurd also didn’t see how any city services being affected, and there would be no effect on general health safety or welfare.
“I think it is less of an impact to the public that an extremely large garden would be,” Hurd said.
Hurd moved to accept the application for the special exception, which was seconded by Richard Collins, and then voted in favor of unanimously.
