ZBA clears Plummer family to build a new house in RL3 district; old home must be removed before final CO

The Lebanon Zoning Board of Adjustment voted Aug. 3 to grant Nathaniel and Valerie Plummer a special exception to construct a new single-family home at 48 Dorothy Pearly Road, concluding the request met the special-exception criteria in Section 801.3 of the zoning ordinance.

Nathaniel Plummer said the family has lived on the lot since 2013 and needs more space for three school-age children; the plan is to build a new house on the lot and demolish the existing 1980 house once the new home is ready. "We're not going anywhere," he said, adding the family has strong neighborhood ties and that a rebuild made more sense than an expensive renovation. Staff explained that simultaneous applications for demolition and building permits are typical and that a final certificate of occupancy will generally be tied to removal of the old structure or alternative permitting (for example ADU pathways) if applicable.

Board members asked technical questions about reusing the well and septic (the Plummers will keep the existing well and will submit septic plans) and square-footage; the applicants said the new house is approximately 3,200 sq. ft. compared with the existing ~1,400 sq. ft. The board adopted findings of fact and granted the special exception with conditions requiring standard permits and compliance with local, state and federal regulations.