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Board approves temporary Manchester Harley-Davidson relocation to 1 Bouchard Street
Summary
The board granted a waiver and approved CU 2024-026 and SP 2024-020 to allow Manchester Harley-Davidson to occupy 1 Bouchard Street temporarily (Jan–May 2025). The applicant received waiver relief to rely on an earlier site plan and secured a conditional use permit to allow a 17‑space parking shortfall.
The Manchester Planning & Zoning Board approved a conditional use permit and site-plan waiver Dec. 5 to let Manchester Harley‑Davidson temporarily occupy a vacant industrial building at 1 Bouchard Street while its new Hooksett facility is completed.
Attorney Roy Tilsley represented the applicant and told the board the operator expects a three‑ to four‑month interim occupancy beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and asked the board to allow the planning review to proceed before the zoning board acts on a related variance. "We will be we're looking to occupy this building for purposes of operating the Harley dealership," Tilsley said, describing an interior‑only operation with no exterior vehicle display.
The operation would use an existing 83,000‑square‑foot building on 7.72 acres and proposed no exterior modifications; the applicant requested a waiver to rely on an earlier approved site plan because preparing a full compliance site plan would take longer than the temporary occupancy period. The applicant also sought a conditional use permit to allow 132 on‑site spaces instead of the 149 spaces the zoning ordinance currently requires, a 17‑space deficiency the applicant said the site can safely accommodate during winter months.
Board members discussed whether the variance could be limited to motorcycle sales and service; the applicant said it would accept a condition limiting the variance to motorcycles if needed. Staff reported no public comments received before the meeting. The board approved the waiver and then approved CU 2024-026 and SP 2024-020 with staff recommendations; those approvals will be on the agenda for final decision recordation and permitting.
Next steps: The applicant must secure the zoning variance from the ZBA (already scheduled) and meet any administrative sign permit requirements for temporary directional or tenant signage. Planning staff will include standard conditions to ensure no outside display or storage of motorcycles at the temporary site.
