ZBA approves conversion of 22 School Street to 12 apartments with conditions on garage storage and parking

The Lebanon Zoning Board of Adjustment on Aug. 3 granted ExecuSuite LLC’s request to convert the mixed‑use building at 22 School Street into a 12‑unit multifamily dwelling, attaching several conditions aimed at preventing off-site storage and addressing neighborhood parking and site safety.

Architect Jim Wasser described the conversion plan and said exterior changes will be minimal; the design adds apartments on the first and second floors and in the basement. "We are asking then to convert the existing mixed use building to additional apartments... 4 apartments on the 1st Floor, and then 4 apartments in the Basement," Wasser said. The board discussed parking (the site will provide 18 spaces, with 12 required), bike and EV parking, and the garage’s intended role as maintenance/storage for the property.

Staff and board members pressed the applicant about past instances at other properties where off-site maintenance or chemical storage raised environmental concerns. Staff recommended clear limitations: no off-site storage or contractor yard operations and only ordinary non-toxic maintenance materials in the garage. The board added a condition for a joint inspection by building and zoning officials (and planning as needed) prior to issuance of any final certificate of occupancy and required signage or codified arrangements with the adjacent United Methodist Church for holiday/event parking. The board adopted findings that the special-exception criteria were met and granted the relief with those conditions.