Planning board approves bed-and-breakfast at 4184 East River Road after parking variance

The Planning Board voted to approve a one‑bedroom bed‑and‑breakfast at 4184 East River Road after confirming the applicant already received a zoning‑board parking variance.

The Chair opened the item, describing the proposal and the driveway access: “We’re going to move right into number one, which is this bed and breakfast on East River 4184 East River Road.” Board members noted the variance removes the requirement for on‑site parking and discussed whether the proposed parking would fall on private property or within the town right‑of‑way.

Board members confirmed standard owner‑occupancy expectations for bed‑and‑breakfast operations and asked staff to verify that condition will be included in any permit. Jen moved to approve the application; Norm seconded, and the motion carried with the board voting in favor.

Why it matters: The board’s action clears one small tourism lodging use for operation subject to permit conditions and confirms that a prior ZBA area variance resolved the primary zoning hurdle — parking. The decision was procedural and did not include additional conditions beyond the occupancy expectation described at the meeting.

The board’s packet noted the parking variance had already been granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals; staff will confirm in the site‑approval paperwork that the bed‑and‑breakfast is owner‑occupied before a certificate of occupancy is issued.