Laconia zoning board denies non-owner short-term rental; approves multiple variances and sign permits

The Laconia Zoning Board of Adjustment on Tuesday denied a special-exception application for a non-owner-occupied short-term rental at 86 Chapin Terrace and approved multiple variances and sign permits across the agenda.

The board voted 3–2 to deny the application from William and Andrea Vessels seeking a special exception so their recently purchased Chapin Terrace house could operate as short-term lodging while they were not yet owner-occupants. The Vessels had asked for a non-owner-occupied short-term rental and proposed rules including a cap on vehicles and occupants, quiet hours and on-site parking.

The Vessels said they had called city staff before purchase and were told there were no restrictions; they described property-management experience and a plan to screen guests and enforce house rules. “We have a no, strict no street parking policy, which we will enforce,” Andrea Vessels said while outlining occupancy limits and safety measures including smoke detectors and exterior lighting. William Vessels added that they would require multi-night minimums during summer and could respond within an hour to problems.

Neighbors questioned that account and described repeated problems from other short-term rentals on nearby streets. Joseph Charlond, who lives across Chapin Terrace, said past short-term rentals on the lakefront had produced heavy on-street parking and late-night parties, and raised public-safety concerns: “Parking became … up to 12, 13 cars parked between, on the driveway into the street,” Charlond said, adding that at times fire and ambulance access was impeded. Tim Gilligan, another neighbor, cited health-related anxiety about recurring disturbances and asked how revocation or enforcement would work.

City planner Tyler…