[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6127536,"mediaKeyId","2662803-a11ba6096ae3a86859f95e82424323b1","parentId",2662803,"title","Alton ZBA approves auto-detailing special exception with septic and operational conditions","audioSeconds",576,"startMs",2192000,"endMs",2768000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2662803-a11ba6096ae3a86859f95e82424323b1&start=2192&end=2768","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2662803-a11ba6096ae3a86859f95e82424323b1/thumbnail_2192000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6127536/New-Hampshire/Alton-ZBA-approves-auto-detailing-special-exception-with-septic-and-operational-conditions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127536-8e28cbf04c2f1f61600238bf846da942/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916869&Signature=neZ3~Zvy1R6us79Hm7PpjK4~wMhEj2ux3aRFPp0Q-fj9dImzJAsCfNsay-L20PmqRUss8ZUNPfReDlPL5s79d~NdLi35VCSg8k7LIESpidnwPthRjTKfmckQ7qR~spVjo0oskXSY~pH7vz39qfbx9R7LmWUEJYAVzCplZ8AQep5DGrG2Z-pMXvCDNDgibmLZjxFVZmuySgYPf3EB4RaTQYBZp8f4IfhVi1Wv9YUmgAU90AOTEHoiSEty~tdhH9Qj9XFXaRaxiu4Dyqm7SiV9AwKaX3l8wyLXZPOVkrxPKLhR3fNgcs2ZJ2zYaBsDYIbR6OXz7xTigGcf0JJMdWG5oA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of Alton NH","date","2025-03-17T16:04:55Z","article","The Town of Alton Zoning Board of Adjustment on March 6 approved a special exception permitting an automotive detailing business at a Route 28 property, with conditions intended to limit environmental risk and clarify the scope of activity.

The board accepted application Z25-13 as complete and approved an exception under Article 400, Section 401(d)(7) to allow an automotive and truck motor-vehicle washing facility, but limited the use \"solely to detailing and detailing add-ons\" and added conditions requiring a septic-system inspection and controls on washing runoff.

Why it matters: the property sits near wetlands and the Merameeding River and marsh; both the Conservation Commission and the fire department raised concerns about potential runoff and containment. The board’s approval is conditioned to address those concerns before business operations begin.

What the board heard: Jeff Breen, the land surveyor representing owner Dan Devereaux, said the intended operation is a small, appointment-based detailing service using an interior bay (about 23 by 30 feet) and that most heavy washing would be done at commercial car washes off-site before vehicles arrive. Breen and the owner said detailing will involve mainly hand work, waxing, vacuuming and dry carpet treatments; they stated there will be no oil-change or heavy automotive-repair work on the site.

The Conservation Commission’s memo, read during the hearing, said: \"the septic system should be inspected by a qualified inspector or evaluator prior to approval for this use as the system will be expected to handle a large volume of effluent. Are all the required oil and other containment traps in place and working? These safeguards are especially important to the location of the building being within 250 feet of Merameeding River And Marsh.\" The board incorporated an inspection requirement into its approval.

Board conditions and motion: the board’s motion approved the detailing use limited to detailing and detailing add-ons; it required a qualified inspection of the septic system and a review of any runoff/effluent before the business may open. The motion also stated that washing should generally occur off-site at commercial car washes and that any on-site wash activity must be limited and controlled so runoff does not reach the septic or nearby wetlands.

Next steps: the owner must complete the septic inspection and demonstrate containment safeguards to the satisfaction of the inspector and town staff before the use may commence. The board said those conditions will be noted in the formal notice of decision and that the approval runs with the lot (not the owner), so future changes in ownership would require the new owner to comply with the same conditions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ZBA Meeting 03-06-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The ZBA approved a special exception to permit an automotive detailing facility at a Route 28 property, limited to detailing and add-ons, and conditioned approval on a septic inspection and restrictions on on-site washing and runoff controls.","taxTitle","Alton Town, Belknap County, New Hampshire","taxId",74073,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127541,"Zoning board approves three cottage permits at Alton Bay Christian Retreat Center",643,722000,1365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2662803-a11ba6096ae3a86859f95e82424323b1&start=722&end=1365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2662803-a11ba6096ae3a86859f95e82424323b1/thumbnail_722000.jpg","/articles/6127541/New-Hampshire/Zoning-board-approves-three-cottage-permits-at-Alton-Bay-Christian-Retreat-Center","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127541-b33c7bca30f56b3f934ba1a569f3525d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916869&Signature=FW6SItIU1sxteUWUn~8rYjBSPTV0IzNpbTQJk6h-yL0wHHu~jb9vTXP5-9btAu0TZiySacf7MW6NPMu4RQ6YFvdwy~0~eSqXL9951pUHpLJX5DtUSXzG0CFKRinRHU2eOhAh9VhfuGP-HeQJF0h7v7laAibQZKp8p0VcwsR7gVBcQExFSnv7s2a7WkUqnmI4HQHK81zHR1UK~bfz3ftmep3UjRDWXte0NHtf8O2ibIgpRHNeRNBKhsw9z-WoDkCILSp4pVmdh29aBe3FT3LUK6Ns0V6MLi0DraQQ-x0lddSJvA6LAoEtv6NvbM62DxES8fCZullS3PhDqkxDCZ8Q4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Alton Zoning Board of Adjustment on March 6 approved three special exceptions allowing the Alton Bay Christian Retreat Center to construct new cottages on its campus.

The board unanimously accepted applications Z25-09, Z25-10 and Z25-11 as complete and approved special exceptions from Article 300, Section 320(d) to permit expansion of a nonconforming use in order to construct single-family dwellings (described on the applications and staff review as cottages).

Why it matters: the approvals allow the retreat center to move forward with construction of three cottages that were included in prior approvals but lapsed when applications expired after multiple continuances. Board members emphasized that the approvals are for the same plans previously approved and that new cottage owners must submit building plans to code enforcement before work starts.

What the board heard: David Perrella, who identified himself as chairman of building and grounds at the Alton Bay Christian Retreat Center, told the board the project returns to the board with the same dimensions and plans as earlier approvals and that cottage owners are prepared to submit architectural drawings once the zoning approvals were granted. Perrella said the cottages are to be 20 by 34 feet and that some originally committed owners had dropped out because of cost and inflation; replacements are in place.

Norma Dietrich, the town’s code official, said she revised the application wording in staff review to reflect the correct zoning standard: \"it is to section 320 d to permit the expansion of a nonconforming use in order to construct 3 new single family dwellings.\" Dietrich said using the nonconforming-use language aligns the notice and the board’s final motion with the ordinance.

Infrastructure and conditions: the applicants told the board that a shared septic system installed about five years ago is in place and currently serves the site and that the retreat center will soon receive a new 6-inch water main from Rand Hill to the center to improve service. The retreat center also described an internal rights-to-build agreement that requires cottage owners to submit plans within two months of acceptance into the retreat community.

Votes and outcomes: the board completed the special-exception worksheets for each file and approved all three cases by voice vote. Staff will prepare formal notices of decision that reflect the ordinance citation and conditions for each approval.

Next steps: applicants must submit building plans and obtain any required permits from code enforcement and building inspection before construction.","The Alton ZBA granted three special exceptions allowing expansion of a nonconforming use to construct cottages at the Alton Bay Christian Retreat Center, subject to standard permitting and code review.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127546,"Alton Zoning Board stops repeated continuances, denies extensions and requires reapplication",3764,241000,4005000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2662803-a11ba6096ae3a86859f95e82424323b1&start=241&end=4005","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2662803-a11ba6096ae3a86859f95e82424323b1/thumbnail_241000.jpg","/articles/6127546/New-Hampshire/Alton-Zoning-Board-stops-repeated-continuances-denies-extensions-and-requires-reapplication","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127546-5584bd1e3d424fa47d0d34d180ee2bbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916869&Signature=TW4BilXTh8bP806bILIT2~5DNZvs2NmVEXHi1PBLMl5rlJ-QzOcfNbQchvChXeqejGpuCGO2X6EQh88ebQS6NJf9mqPSehv319PlxqZaQpAUEMQXOI8eUwVbhw8AwiqYH284s~c~zIFaI03cxskDHpIOPi1Cbcx0uABfRMG5myTeRONEwV3EWnced1bA098cqh5CXcv4RGWPLByVFhWCsfJmcAsK4EAP0Q5TwrwYEea~KjHs69LMo70mhfKZcotVr-EGY59~Rtne-6TmfZ4BukMcY17jSLeaoxtYIa8T9vjOTJnLT2DHgvFgYlBAW1lpiIbYnvg~8XYpWwWcGh6S0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Alton Zoning Board of Adjustment voted on March 6 to stop a pattern of repeated continuances, deny expired-extension requests and require applicants to reapply with new public notice and fees.

The board rejected requests to continue two long-running matters that had been delayed repeatedly and denied extension requests for three expired applications tied to the Alton Bay Christian Conference Center. Board members also recorded that several cases (Z25-04 through Z25-08) were withdrawn because ownership had changed, and said new owners would need to appear before the board to pursue those matters.

Why it matters: board members said the continuances had extended beyond the limits set by the board’s bylaws and that allowing more delays would hinder transparency for neighbors and the public. The board noted that, with the continuances denied, existing cease-and-desist or enforcement actions can resume while applicants decide whether to refile.

At the meeting the board discussed how the continuances had been handled and how public notice had (or had not) been re-sent during repeated postponements. The board directed that applicants seeking a new continuance must submit a new public notice and pay any applicable fees before the item can be placed on the agenda again. The board also stated that because some continuances had lapsed beyond the allowable number under the Alton ZBA bylaws, the proper remedy was denial and reapplication rather than indefinite postponement.

Board action and next steps: a motion to deny the continuance requests and require reapplication carried. The board similarly moved to deny extensions for three older applications tied to the conference center (application identifiers cited at the meeting as KZ21-22, KZ21-23 and KZ201-24); that motion also passed. For the matters listed as withdrawn because of ownership change, staff said new owners would be notified when the items would be placed on a future agenda.

The board and staff noted enforcement will now be handled through the town’s code enforcement process for items that had previously been held in abeyance by continuance. The board said abutters and other interested parties will receive mailed notice when and if applicants refile.","The Alton Zoning Board of Adjustment denied further continuances for multiple long-pending cases, rejected expired extension requests and marked several older matters withdrawn, moving enforcement back to code officials and requiring reapplication with new public notice.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Alton ZBA approves auto-detailing special exception with septic and operational conditions

Zoning board approves three cottage permits at Alton Bay Christian Retreat Center

Alton Zoning Board stops repeated continuances, denies extensions and requires reapplication