FARMINGTON – A Farmington man has lost in his efforts to prevent a youth outreach project from using a duplex at 147 Perham St. for youth at risk for homelessness.

The Farmington Appeals Board on Thursday denied an appeal submitted by James Andrews, challenging the Jan. 8 Planning Board decision that the New Beginnings’ proposal for the duplex does not constitute a “change of use” under Farmington’s Zoning Ordinance.

The board concluded that the building has been a duplex and that New Beginnings will continue to use it as a duplex, defined as two apartments with two separate family units.

It was noted there will be no communal-type living, so the New Beginnings proposal does not fit the category of a group home.

Andrews, who lives near the duplex, has contended that turning the apartment duplex into housing for a youth outreach program is a change of use for the property and that a site review by the Planning Board was needed.

The Planning Board voted in October that New Beginnings did not need site review and Andrews appealed that decision. The board voted Jan. 8 to uphold its original decision, and he appealed that also.