Alton ZBA approves two commercial special exceptions near traffic circle with DOT and DES conditions

The Alton Town Zoning Board of Adjustment approved two related special exceptions at its Sept. 4 meeting for commercial uses on Route 11 near the traffic circle, permitting (1) a building‑trade shop (to house an HVAC business) and (2) an automotive and truck repair garage on adjacent lots owned by Sand Street Investments LLC and proposed by agent Apex Land Solutions LLC.

Ryan Heath, an agent for Apex Land Solutions, presented conceptual plans for two stick‑framed buildings with residential‑style siding and architectural treatments intended to reduce visual impact from the roadway. The trade‑shop building (proposed 50×70) would house staff vehicles and equipment; the automotive garage (proposed 60×80) would include vehicle lifts and indoor bays for repairs.

Board members examined site access, driveway consolidation, traffic impacts and environmental permitting. The applicant said both lots would share a single driveway off Route 11; preliminary discussions with the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (DOT) had occurred, and site work will require DOT driveway approval. The lots back toward the river and are subject to shoreline protection rules; the applicant said Stony Ridge Environmental conducted a preliminary site assessment and that the team would pursue required state shoreline and DES approvals for septic and setbacks.

No members of the public opposed the proposals during the hearings. One nearby property owner, Keith Chamberlain, spoke in favor but asked the board and later the planning board to consider noise and door orientation so residential neighbors are not adversely affected; he noted the site is one of the few remaining buildable lots along that stretch of Route 11.

The board approved the building‑trade shop special exception under Article 401(d)(14), making the approvals conditional on demonstrating adequate septic/water approvals from DES and final DOT driveway approval to the satisfaction of town staff. The board then approved the automotive/truck repair special exception under Article 401(d)(8), again conditioning the decision on DOT and DES approvals and standard building department and site‑plan requirements.

Members emphasized conditions in the motions: final DOT determination of access design and turning movements and state shoreland/DES approvals for septic and setbacks prior to issuance of local permits. The board recorded motions, seconds and unanimous “aye” votes to grant both special exceptions with those conditions.

The approvals allow the applicant to move forward to the planning and building permit stages, subject to the state and DOT permits and any planning‑board site‑plan review required by town rules.