Zoning board approves special exception to allow second ADU at 168 Benny Hill Road

The New Ipswich zoning board approved a special exception to permit a second accessory dwelling unit at 168 Benny Hill Road (tax map 9, lot 12).

Attorney Chris Dresser, representing applicants Sandra and Kenny Letin, told the board the plan is to construct a new principal residence with an attached basement ADU and to leave an existing detached cottage on the property as the second ADU. Dresser told the board the lot totals just over two acres (the attorney cited 2.01 acres) and that septic design approval has been obtained for the proposed layout.

Dresser framed the request as a long-term, family-oriented solution: “the attached ADU is intended again to assist with housing affordability, long-term ownership,” he said, describing multigenerational occupancy and an estate-trust arrangement to meet the ordinance owner-residency requirement. He described the existing cottage as roughly 562 square feet and said the proposed main house will be sited to minimize visibility from Benny Hill Road.

Staff noted a minor error in the agenda language for one ordinance citation but confirmed the hearing had been noticed properly. Board members reviewed the five special-exception criteria on the record — appropriateness of the site, effect on adjacent area, nuisance/traffic, adequacy of facilities (including septic), and consistency with the town master plan — and found each criterion satisfied. Jeff Mahoney moved to approve; John S. seconded, and the board approved the special exception without conditions recorded on the transcript.

Next steps: The applicants should file any required final paperwork with planning/zoning staff so the approval can be entered into the town record. The transcript shows the board relied on submitted plans including a 2018 lot-line plan by Ed Rogers when evaluating access and lot configuration.