ZBA denies short‑term rental variance for multifamily property at 39 Gale Avenue

The Laconia Zoning Board of Adjustment voted on May 19 to deny a variance that would have allowed a multifamily property at 39 Gale Avenue to operate short‑term rentals under the new ordinance.

The owner, identified in the hearing as Christine, told the board she has operated short‑term lodging at the property for about 12–13 years and said she had expected earlier permissions to carry forward. Neighbors spoke extensively in support of the owner's management of the property, with multiple residents describing long experience as repeat guests and saying they had not observed problems during her tenure. "She's the model of short‑term rentals for the city," one neighbor said.

Board members focused on the text of the ordinance and precedent. Several members noted earlier action on a similar multifamily case and said short‑term lodging provisions in the ordinance are limited to owner‑occupied single‑family residences in RS zones. "If the board limited redevelopment by refusing to grant a dimensional release from the lake setback, it would unfairly restrict the size of a house on this lot" (discussion on other items), but in the Gale Avenue case members concluded the application did not meet the special criteria for a variance because the property is a multifamily building in an RS zone and the applicant could rent long‑term instead.

A motion to deny the variance was made and passed; the chair summarized the vote as "three denied, two abstaining." The denial prevents the property owner from operating a short‑term lodging business under the city's short‑term rental rules and does not affect the owner’s ability to seek long‑term rental options or to reapply if circumstances change.