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Selectmen press for clearer short‑term rental rules as multiple local STR applications stall
Summary
The Selectmen reviewed a string of short‑term rental (STR) applications with recurring documentation and septic issues, debated assigning clearer responsibilities among the ZBA, Planning Board and Selectboard, and discussed setting a compliance deadline for lagging applicants.
The Board of Selectmen on Aug. 25 reviewed multiple short‑term rental (STR) applications and discussed streamlining the review process after repeated incomplete submissions and overlapping responsibilities among town boards.
Zoning Coordinator and Health Officer Tim Bray summarized individual cases, noting recurring problems: applications lacking complete site plans, unresolved septic system issues and agent‑authorization questions. He reported that Tyler Rowley (2380 Main St.) received a Notice of Violation and that the Planning Board initially denied an application without prejudice under RSA 676:4; the Planning Board later approved a Site Plan Review (SPR) for Rowley with conditions. Several other applicants — including Sindum Li and Shanli Liu (734 Stoney Brook Rd), Jose Ossa Concha (115 Woodcrest Rd), Andre Keplar (10 Winding Wood Rd) and others — were reported as having incomplete SPRs, unresolved septic certifications or paused activity while repairs or documentation are completed.
Bray raised questions about an agent listed for Bernard and Katrina Cahill (150 Woodcrest Rd) who filed through ‘‘Relax 3 Company’’; Bray said documentation suggests the agent status may be questionable and that, if Sydney Whipple is not properly authorized, the application could be invalid and may need to restart. The board agreed that applications tied to active review (Concha and Rowley) should not receive the general notice the town was preparing for stagnant applicants.
Selectmen also discussed process issues between the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Planning Board, saying the ZBA sometimes debates items (such as occupancy and parking) that are handled by Planning Board site‑plan review. Tim Bray and board members recommended a collaborative work session among the Selectboard, Planning Board and ZBA to clarify roles and to set reasonable submittal standards; Amy Lewis suggested establishing a fixed compliance date (she proposed Dec. 31) for the backlog of applicants. Tim Bray said he favors issuing an annual Selectboard permit for STRs that is reviewed for compliance.
No formal enforcement actions were recorded at the meeting beyond previously issued notices; several applicants were directed to refile or complete required inspections and certifications before their SPRs will be accepted. The board voted to accept the Zoning Coordinator/Health Officer report as written.
