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Meredith ZBA grants height variance for barn at 47 Happy Homes Road
Summary
The Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 5-0 to allow John Hamilton to build a 43.3-foot barn in the Shoreline District, finding that the structure’s design and the 55-acre lot minimize public impact; the board attached standard permit, survey and state/federal compliance conditions.
John Hamilton, the applicant, told the Meredith Zoning Board of Adjustment that he seeks a variance to construct a barn with a 43.3-foot building height where 38 feet is the Shoreline District maximum. Hamilton said the barn is intended for personal equipment — "skid steer, excavator, tractors, other equipment" — and that the roof pitch is necessary for structural safety because of New Hampshire snow loads.
Chair Girard and members asked whether Hamilton could redesign to meet the height limit. Hamilton said the taller profile is driven by equipment clearance and the engineers’ roof design. Board member Thorpe said he saw "no benefit to the public by denying this" and that the lot’s size and isolation reduce visual impacts. Board member Skinner cited RSA 674 when assessing the hardship and public-interest criteria and noted the property is large and distant from neighbors.
The board moved to grant the variance, finding the five variance criteria satisfied. Thorpe moved and Jutton seconded; the board voted 5-0 (Lombard, Skinner, Jutton, Thorpe, Girard). Conditions recorded by the board require that all state and federal permits be on file prior to a certificate of occupancy and that an as‑built plan from a New Hampshire–licensed land surveyor be provided to the code enforcement officer.
The board’s decision applies only to the project described in the plans filed in the Planning & Development Office. There was no public opposition during the hearing. The 30-day appeal period begins on the date of the decision.
