Temple ZBA approves Marsh special exception with 36-month compliance requirement; conservation concerns remain

The Town of Temple Zoning Board of Adjustment voted on May 14, 2026 to approve a special exception for the Marsh property that permits construction of two storage buildings to house antique motor vehicles, with conditions requiring completion within 36 months and annual inspections by the selectboard.

The decision followed public comment from Conservation Commission representatives and nearby residents who warned that equipment and machinery stored on open ground could threaten local waterways. Conservation Commission member Scott Hecker said he had "observed... places where fluids were leaking under the machinery" during a site visit and pointed to a nearby freshwater pond and creeks that drain toward Temple Brook and the town aquifer. Resident Sandra Benotti said she "could not imagine having a junkyard so close to the center of town" and expressed worry about her well at the bottom of the hill.

Applicant Alan Marsh told the board the property has hosted the collection for about 11 years without incident, that his family has spent about $15,000 on environmental consultants, and that an EPA-related assessment by Geoinsight, Inc. found nothing out of the ordinary. Marsh said roughly "40% operate and 60% do not" of the vehicles on the site and that he plans to address storage as buildings are constructed.

Board members discussed how RSA 236:111-a applies to antique motor vehicle storage, including the statute’s limit that no more than five vehicles be stored outside a permanent structure, and debated whether Marsh’s proposed hoop houses would qualify as permanent structures. The ZBA read an attorney opinion indicating that if a hoop house’s hoops are rooted it could be considered permanent, but several members and the selectmen said the state guidance lacks clarity and that the Planning Board should review structural and drainage details.

In deliberations the ZBA found the Special Exception standards (13A) could be met and set these conditions: the project shall be completed within 36 months of permit issuance; all equipment, components and trailers must be stored out of sight from abutters and from West Road within that 36-month requirement; and the selectboard may conduct annual inspections. The ZBA also recommended the Planning Board conduct a site-plan review to ensure appropriate drainage and stormwater management and to hear the Conservation Commission’s environmental concerns. The board noted the current application appears inadequate to house the entire collection and urged verification of storage capacity.

Selectman Clay Lennartz moved to approve the special exception as noted; Allan Pickman seconded. The motion passed "unanimous yes." The hearing was closed at 9:07 PM and the meeting adjourned at 9:13 PM. The ZBA scheduled its next meeting for June 11, 2026 to approve prior meeting minutes.

The Planning Board must now review site-plan details, drainage, and buffering before building permits are issued; the ZBA’s conditions and its recommendation on drainage will be part of that next stage.