The Wolfeboro Zoning Board of Adjustment on July 7 granted an extension to the special-exception approval for phase 3 of the Harriman Hill development, extending the approval through July 31, 2026.

The applicant, Laconia Area Community Land Trust doing business as Lakes Region Community Developers, sought an extension of approvals originally granted in July 2023 for a 30-unit townhouse workforce-housing project on Beck Drive (Tax Map 1762001). Attorney Megan Carrier and real estate development director Kara (Carla) Sell told the board the project remains largely unchanged from the plan approved in 2023 but has undergone “minor tweaks” and value-engineering to address increased construction bids.

Sell described the most significant changes as engineering and cost-driven: substitution of an open stormwater basin in lieu of an underground storm chamber system, a reduction of parking spaces to the Town of Wolfeboro minimum (the applicant cited a reduction to 40 spaces from an original plan of 59), some reductions in landscaping, and other adjustments to curbing, drains and service connections. She also confirmed the project will include an ADA unit and a community building and that the applicant has submitted the revised plans to town planner Shana Saunders for administrative stamping prior to returning to the Planning Board if required.

Several nearby residents and an abutters’ representative spoke during public comment. James Collins, representing Birch Hill Estates and the Birch Hill Co-op, requested a continuance of the hearing on grounds that many abutters said they had not yet received mailed notices because of the holiday and post-office delays. Collins also asked whether the green buffer shown on earlier plans had changed; the applicant’s attorney responded that the buffer remains on the approved plan.

After discussing notice timing and the permitted extension period, the board unanimously approved the extension through July 31, 2026. Chair Ryan noted the applicant had documented delays securing funding and had demonstrated cause in their extension request. The board’s clerk reported a site visit earlier in the day where members saw that initial site clearing and site work had begun.

Why it matters: the project is a nonprofit workforce-housing development of 30 townhouse units in Harriman Hill; extending approvals allows the applicant additional time to complete permitting and proceed with construction while maintaining the prior land-use approvals subject to any administrative plan stamping by the Planning Board.

Details: the board’s approval is limited to the time-extension request; the ZBA did not change the previously approved special-exception terms. The applicant said they will seek any Planning Board sign-off needed for the value-engineered changes; the board was told the project team has secured grant funding and adjusted the design to reflect actual bid pricing.