ZBA approves special exception for home-based real estate office at 324 South Street
Summary
The board granted a special exception to permit a major home occupation — a real estate office — on the first floor of a single-family house at 324 South Street, with the proprietor occupying less than 20% of the lower level.
The Concord Zoning Board of Adjustment granted a special exception to allow a major home occupation — a real estate office — at 324 South Street in the city’s RS single-family residential district.
Applicant Gary (last name given in application) testified that he recently purchased the home and intends to live on the premises; the proposed real estate office would occupy less than 20% of the lower level. He said there would be no employees (the business uses independent contractors), and staff expected at most three to four people in the building at a time. The applicant and board clarified the use would be strictly for real-estate activity as described in the application.
Board members asked whether the use would generate additional demand on public services or parking; the applicant said there is ample onsite parking and no unusual traffic or noise is anticipated. Board member Perkins, who identified herself as a realtor, said in practice the use involves few in-person visits and does not typically create neighborhood impacts.
A motion to grant the special exception under section 28-5-30(c)(1) and related standards for major home occupations passed unanimously. The board noted that the application itself specifies the operation as a real estate office, and the special-exception approval did not broaden permissions beyond that stated use.
