Planning board approves Forest Edge Grooming home‑occupation at 44 Jenness Hill Road

The Meredith Planning Board unanimously approved a home‑occupation site plan on May 26 for a dog grooming business operating from 44 Jenness Hill Road in the Central Business District.

Robert Talenti described the business as "Forest Edge Grooming," an appointment‑only, low‑impact operation run by a single employee (the owner). He told the board there would be no kenneling, only one dog at a time, and parking off the road. Staff noted that the town’s home‑occupation rules require the use of the principal or accessory structure (not a standalone building), limit signage to a single sign not to exceed six square feet, and cap employees at four. The applicants said expected volume is about 3–5 dogs per day and that hair will be screened before septic discharge.

Board members asked about noise and septic impacts. Board member Andrea Harper asked about barking; the applicants said the house is an insulated ICF structure with triple‑pane windows and that inside noise would be unlikely. Richard Gerken asked about sign placement and driveway access; the applicants said a single, roadside directional sign is planned and there is room to turn around on the driveway.

The motion to approve the site plan passed 7‑0 (Aiken, Nedeau, Whitney, Lovering, Gerken, Harper, James). The board reserved the right to review or amend the approval under Site Plan Review Regulations Nos. 6 and 17.

The record shows staff will follow up on a separate concern raised later in the meeting about an apparently visible home occupation on Route 104; Code Enforcement was asked to investigate.