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Select Board approves amendment to RSA 79-E covenant for Sanborn Seminary; retains 11-year tax relief
Summary
The Select Board voted unanimously to amend the town's RSA 79-E community revitalization covenant for the Sanborn Seminary project at 178 Main Street to preserve the previously approved 11-year tax relief for the seminary building and to remove other tax relief that the revised project no longer seeks.
The Kingston Select Board voted unanimously to amend the RSA 79-E covenant for the Sanborn Seminary project at 178 Main Street, retaining the 11 years of tax relief for the seminary renovation and removing previously approved relief tied to a 73-unit apartment structure that the project no longer proposes.
A letter dated Jan. 16 and submitted to the board explained that the Sanborn Seminary portion of the project still proposes renovation and preservation into about 12 apartments and therefore remains eligible for the originally approved 11 years of tax relief under RSA 79-E. Project developers have since reduced the larger proposed apartment structure and replaced that portion with single-family homes; the revised program now proposes roughly 13 single-family homes plus the 12 apartments in the seminary and retention of the Swayze Gym.
Why it matters: RSA 79-E (New Hampshire's community revitalization tax relief provision) lets municipalities grant tax relief to encourage preservation and creation of housing in qualifying projects. The change narrows the town's tax-relief commitment to the historic seminary building while removing relief for the larger apartment building that was previously anticipated but is no longer part of the project.
Select Board members discussed the paperwork and recording implications. Board members agreed that, if the motion passed, the town's recorded covenant must be revised to reflect the new scope. A board member moved to retain the 11 years of tax relief for the seminary and to remove the other previously granted tax relief; Chuck seconded the motion. The board voted "aye" and the chair declared the vote unanimous.
Meeting materials state the board originally approved 11 years of tax relief on April 18, 2022, for the seminary renovation and nine years for a 73-unit apartment building that is no longer proposed. The letter accompanying the amendment request asked the board to record the revised covenant showing that only the seminary retains the approved 11 years of relief.
What's next: On approval, town counsel or designated staff will update and record the covenant to reflect the amended 79-E approval and deliver the paperwork to the appropriate parties for recording in the land records.
