Hope House Seeks Zoning Variance for Transitional Housing at Larner Street

The Wolfeboro Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) convened on August 4, 2025, to discuss a variance request from Hope House Holdings for the property located at 1618 Larner Street. The meeting focused on the proposal to utilize the second and third floors of the building for temporary transitional housing aimed at assisting families facing homelessness.

The session began with a site visit earlier in the day, where board members and representatives from Hope House Holdings toured the property to better understand the application. The board chair emphasized the importance of public participation, outlining the order of speaking during the meeting. The applicant would present first, followed by abutters and then the general public, with a clear indication that public comments would close once deliberations began.

Randy Walker, representing Hope House Holdings and Family Promise of the Lakes Region, addressed the board, highlighting the critical need for transitional housing services in the community. He noted that the organization operates without federal or state funding, relying solely on private donations. Walker clarified that the proposed facility would not cater to chronically homeless individuals but would provide short-term assistance for families in need, typically lasting two to four months.

Walker referenced a similar application approved by the board in 2016, stating that the current proposal mirrors that previous request closely. The need for the variance arose because the previous operator, Families in Transition, had to close the facility after losing its executive director, resulting in a loss of use for the property. He assured the board that there would be no changes to the building's exterior or interior, as it is ready for immediate use.

The meeting concluded with the board's acknowledgment of the proposal's significance and the necessity for further discussion and deliberation in upcoming sessions. The ZBA will continue to evaluate the request, considering the community's needs and the implications of the variance on local zoning regulations.