Zoning Board of Adjustment — May 19, 2026
The meeting featured spirited debate regarding property rights and solar access, though the board remained unified in its final decisions.
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At the May 19 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting, the Board approved significant departures from Exeter's established zoning requirements for a proposed three-unit building at 29 Front Street.
Specifically, the Board granted a height variance of 33 inches and a substantial lot area variance. While the code requires 3,500 square feet of lot area per dwelling unit, the Board approved the project with only 1,428 square feet per unit. Board members noted that strictly enforcing the current rules would make development on small, historic downtown lots financially unfeasible, suggesting that the density of the area justifies bypassing the standard requirements.
These decisions also brushed aside specific concerns from neighbors. One resident testified that the increased building height would obstruct solar energy production on an adjacent property and diminish property values. The Board concluded that because no direct negative impact had been 'demonstrated' by the resident, the variance could proceed.
This raises a critical question for Exeter residents: If the Board begins bypassing zoning requirements whenever a developer claims a project is 'unfeasible,' what does that mean for the future of our neighborhood character and the predictability of our local laws?
Public impact
Approval of 1,428 sq ft per unit (instead of 3,500) and a 33-inch height increase.
The height variance was approved 5-0, and the lot area variance was approved.
Topics discussed
Announcement that the scheduled hearing for Philip Exit Academy is postponed.
The case was removed from the evening's agenda.
A public hearing regarding requests for a height variance and lot area per dwelling unit relief for a proposed three-unit residential building.
The hearing concluded with the board moving into private deliberations. The height variance was approved 5-0. The lot area variance was approved, allowing 1,428 square feet per unit instead of the required 3,500.
The Board of Adjustment will deliberate on the two separate requests (height and lot area) to reach a decision.
The Board reviewed the minutes from the March 17 and April 21, 2026, meetings.
The March 17 minutes were approved, and the April 21 minutes were deferred.
Review and approve the April 21 minutes at the next monthly meeting.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
29 Front Street Variance Application (Lot 139 LLC)
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Member positions
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”
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grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4-fast, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-07.
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