Planning Board approves in-home, appointment-only gun shop at 24 Center Road amid neighborhood concern

The Hillsborough Planning Board on March 18 approved a change-of-use and home-business application allowing Alex Mellen to operate Mellen Firearm Sales LLC from a room in his residence at 24 Center Road by appointment only.

Planning Director Robyn Payson presented the application and told the board she had consulted Town Counsel, who advised that under state law the Planning Board must treat the submission as a retail use and could not base its decision on the fact that the retail product is firearms. Payson said the applicant must obtain a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment before the use is permitted in the Residential Zone and that the applicant must follow all federal laws, including applying for a federal firearms license.

Mellen told the board the business would be small, likely low-traffic initially, and that he planned to keep inventory in a locked room rather than in a gun safe; he said he is not offering repair services at present but might consider it later. The board discussed storage and licensing questions; Vice Chair Dana Clow disclosed he is one of the Water Sewer Commissioners overseeing the applicant and recused himself from formal board participation in that capacity but reserved the right to speak as a member of the public.

Neighbor Ian Healy said he lives across the street with three small children and told the board, “It seems like it is not the right place for it,” citing security and potential traffic as concerns. Planning Director Payson and Chairperson Susanne White explained that ZBA and federal processes set the limits of local review and suggested the resident raise policy concerns with state representatives if desired. Payson said she had spoken to the ATF about applicable federal requirements.

The board approved the application with conditions: the applicant must obtain ZBA approval for a variance, comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws, operate during specified hours (Monday–Friday 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.; Saturday 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) and permit visits by appointment only. The application record lists the owners as Alex and Veronica Mellen and the company as Mellen Firearm Sales LLC; the board found the in-home use occupies less than 40% of the residence’s net floor area.

Andrew Morris moved to approve the application, Steve Livingston seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. The minutes show the board recorded the conditions and findings required by the Site Plan Regulations.