Zoning Board of Adjustment — May 20, 2026
The meeting featured spirited testimony from neighbors opposing a specific variance, though the board remained unified in its decisions.
Questions about this meeting? Just ask.
Ask MeetingWatch answers from this meeting’s report, transcript, and records — with linked sources.
During the May 20 Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting, the Londonderry ZBA approved several variance requests that have neighbors raising questions about how 'hardship' is being defined in our community.
The most contentious decision involved 18 Racine Road. The Board voted to allow an 18-foot above-ground pool and deck to encroach 14 feet into the required 15-foot rear setback. Local neighbors spoke out in strong opposition, arguing that the request was based on personal convenience rather than a unique property hardship. Neighbors also pointed to a history of unauthorized terrain leveling at the property, which had previously resulted in a cease and desist order.
Despite these concerns regarding privacy, property values, and the applicant's history, the Board determined that the legal requirements for a variance were met and granted the request.
Additionally, the Board approved two 6-foot fence variances for 35 Sanborn Road and 2 Overlook Avenue, allowing them to encroach into front setbacks. While neighbors supported these for child safety reasons, it marks another instance of the Board adjusting established setback rules to accommodate specific resident needs.
Topics discussed
The Board Chair outlined the evening's meeting procedures and introduced the board members and staff.
The meeting was formally called to order and procedures were established.
The board reviewed and approved the minutes from the previous month and accepted the staff report regarding regional impacts.
Minutes were approved and the regional impact determination was accepted by motion.
A request for a variance to allow an 18-ft above-ground pool and associated deck to encroach 14 ft into the 15-ft rear setback.
The board deliberated on the five points of law and voted to grant the variance.
A request for a variance to allow a 6-ft high fence to encroach 11 ft into the 40-ft front setback.
The board voted to grant the variance request.
A request for a variance to allow a 6-ft fence in the 40-ft front setback.
The board deliberated on the five criteria for granting a variance and found that the request did not conflict with public interest, would not diminish surrounding properties, and would address a hardship. The motion to grant the variance was made and seconded, with all board members in favor.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
18 Racine Road Variance (Pool and Deck)
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Creating this report cost real money.
MeetingWatch attended, transcribed, and analyzed this meeting on its own dime. If this work is valuable to you, chip in to keep covering Londonderry.
Follow Londonderry
One email when a new report is published from the Zoning Board of Adjustment — or one weekly digest.
grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4-fast, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-07.
Members feature
Ask questions. Get answers with receipts.
Ask about anything covered on this page and get a plain-English answer that links to the report, the official records, and the exact moment in the meeting video.
Create a free accountFree with a MeetingWatch account — no card, no spam.
Already a member? Sign in
Ask questions about any meeting
Open a community, board, issue, or meeting and I can answer from its records — with links to the report, official documents, and the exact moment in the video.
Then reopen this button to start asking.
AI-generated from meeting records — verify against the linked sources. Conversations are stored (privacy).