Zoning board approves church use at former Rite Aid on Daniel Webster Highway

The Merrimack Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 5-0 on Feb. 26 to grant a special exception allowing a church to occupy the former Rite Aid building at 420 Daniel Webster Highway.

The board found the applicant’s responses to the special-exception criteria sufficient and adopted those responses as findings of fact. The decision requires the petitioner to seek site-plan approval from the Planning Board as the next step.

Petitioner Felipe Goncalves told the board the proposal would convert the retail space into a church and would keep services and programs inside the building. “The buildings are pretty square… it’s got plenty of parking for what we’re trying to do,” Goncalves said during his presentation. He said the congregation currently averages about 150 attendees across two Sunday services but estimated roughly 50–55 cars at services because many attendees carpool.

Board members asked about exterior changes, parking and likely weekday activities. Chris Cambouris confirmed the applicant plans only paint and signage changes to the building’s exterior and said midweek and youth services would generally be evening activities. Planning staff indicated that, if the special exception is granted, the project will undergo site-plan review by the Planning Board to confirm capacity and circulation.

No members of the public spoke in favor or opposition during the public-hearing period. At the motion, Rod (board member) moved to grant the exception and Ben (board member) seconded. The voice vote was recorded as 5-0 in favor.

The board chair reminded the applicants of the 30-day period during which the decision may be appealed; otherwise the next procedural step is Planning Board site-plan review.

Votes at a glance: Special exception to permit a church use at 420 Daniel Webster Highway — Motion to grant adopted 5-0; condition: petitioner must obtain site-plan approval; 30-day appeal period applies.