Board hears request to enlarge ADU to 1,600 sq ft to accommodate future mobility needs; decision not recorded

The New Ipswich zoning/planning board heard a variance request from Matthew Gallister, presented by land surveyor Dan Barowski of Fieldstone Land Consultants, seeking permission for an accessory dwelling unit up to 1,600 square feet on a property on Old Wilton Road.

Barowski said the lot is a little over five acres and the requested increase (350 square feet above the town’s special-exception cap) is intended to accommodate future mobility and elder-care needs for the principal occupant. He described the ADU placement as set back from the road and not readily visible to abutters.

Under the town’s rules as described at the hearing, an ADU up to 950 square feet is allowed by right, up to about 1,250 square feet by special exception, and the applicant requested an additional 350 square feet to reach 1,600 square feet. Barowski said the increase would not alter the neighborhood character and would not be apparent from adjacent properties. Board members began reviewing variance criteria and asking questions; the transcript ends before any motion or vote was recorded.

Next steps: The board will continue its review of the variance criteria and decide at a subsequent meeting; the transcript does not record a final board decision.