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Meredith Zoning Board grants one-year extensions for Lang Street School redevelopment
Summary
The Meredith Zoning Board of Adjustment on Feb. 12 approved one-year extensions for approvals to convert the Lang Street School at 28 Lang Street to multi-family housing, despite the chair’s continued concerns about parking and traffic; approvals carried 30‑day appeal periods.
MEREDITH — The Meredith Zoning Board of Adjustment voted Feb. 12 to grant one‑year extensions for previously approved variance and special‑exception permits enabling a multi‑family conversion of the former Lang Street School at 28 Lang Street.
Chris Boldt, speaking for LTY Real Estate Development Corporation, told the board asbestos testing for the building has been completed and that architects and mechanical, electrical and plumbing consultants are finalizing plans. Boldt said the project team expects demolition in the spring and to begin construction over the summer and asked the board to authorize a one‑year extension "to be cautious" while contract steps and regulatory clearances are finalized.
The vote was contentious. Chair Girard reiterated opposition he expressed at the original hearing, saying he remains concerned about parking, traffic and impacts on nearby homes and children in the neighborhood. "I felt it was an overkill and I didn't see a hardship," Chair Girard said, explaining why he opposed the original approval.
Board members who voted in favor cited the town’s need for centrally located housing and noted no zoning amendments have removed the project’s eligibility. Member Lombard said neighborhood demand and broader planning trends make downtown residential reuse preferable to outward development.
After deliberations the board recorded motions and roll‑call votes; the record shows the extensions for the variance (case #5429) and the special exception (case #5430) were granted by 3‑2 votes. Each approval carries a 30‑day appeal period.
The board’s staff noted that Planning Board approval for the overall plan remains in effect, but that Planning Board approvals do not substitute for ZBA variances or special exceptions. The board also discussed whether the prior extensions had lapsed and whether a restart of the application would be required if permits were pulled before the ZBA acted; no restart directive was issued.
The applicants and their representatives stated they have not pulled building permits as of the hearing and requested the year‑long extension to preserve the approvals while they finalize contract and site remediation steps.
The next procedural step is the statutory appeal window; the transcript records the ZBA’s standard 30‑day appeal period following each decision.
