Lebanon committee approves conversion of 45 School Street to three-family with landscaping condition

The Lebanon Minor Site Plan Committee approved a minor site-plan application to convert an existing two-family dwelling at 45 School Street (tax map 107, lot 113) into a three-family dwelling.

Planning staff member Nathan Reichert moved the approval, which the committee seconded and passed 4–0. The motion adopts the application (PB-2026-35-MSP) and attaches standard precedent and subsequent conditions: a building permit must be applied for and issued within two years of the approval; impact fees will be calculated at building-permit issuance per the city’s May 20, 2024 schedule; all water and sewer fees must be paid pursuant to city code chapter 68; and all improvements depicted on the approved plan must be completed as shown or as later approved by the Minor Site Plan Committee.

The committee added a specific condition addressing a vegetative buffer between the new unit and an adjacent residential property. Planning staff asked the applicants, Rebecca and Nick Katamis, to work with staff (Catherine) to produce a planting plan acceptable to staff; that landscaping plan will be administratively approved prior to the start of construction. Staff explained the multi-family change triggers the city’s semi-opaque buffer standard, which seeks roughly three feet of vegetative screening and a spacing of trees per the landscaping regulation unless a waiver is pursued at the planning-board level.

During the public hearing, applicants said the project involves interior work only, will not expand the building footprint and will not change exterior lighting; the new unit will rely on either propane or electric heating, and the applicant said a small propane tank (described as a 120-gallon unit) is expected to be sited on the property. Board members asked for confirmation that the tank’s placement will meet setback and fire-department requirements and requested a diagram showing the tank’s location before permit issuance.

Planning staff also warned the applicants about recent fraud emails targeting permit applicants and reminded them that the city will not request wire transfers—payments are accepted by check or via the city’s online permit payment options.

The approval is subject to the conditions read into the motion on the record, including completion of required impact-fee documentation at permit application and administrative sign-off on the landscaping plan. The Minor Site Plan Committee closed the public hearing after the vote.