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Jaffrey ZBA approves variance to build two structures inside 100-foot front setback on Plantation Drive
Summary
The Jaffrey Zoning Board of Adjustment voted 5-0 to approve a variance allowing North Pine LLC to build a 12,800 sq ft contractor bay and a 3,000 sq ft office inside the 100-foot front setback on Plantation Drive; a neighbor raised concerns about building height, the nearby airport approach, and lighting, which will be reviewed at the Planning Board site-plan stage.
The Jaffrey Zoning Board of Adjustment on Jan. 6 approved a variance permitting construction of two buildings within the 100-foot front setback on Plantation Drive, a decision the board recorded as a 5-0-0 vote.
The applicant, North Pine LLC, through agent Fieldstone Land Consultants and contractor MPC Construction, proposed a 12,800-square-foot contractor bay facility and a 3,000-square-foot office on a 3.19-acre, Industrial-zoned corner parcel that has roughly 200 feet of frontage. The larger building would sit about 40.15 feet from the right-of-way (approximately 86.5 feet from the edge of pavement); the smaller structure would be about 71.82 feet from the right-of-way (about 103 feet from the edge of pavement). The applicant said the larger building would be roughly two stories, about 30 feet tall.
Why it matters: the property is in Jaffrey’s Industrial district and the proposed setback encroachment required the board to find the five variance criteria were met before approving construction inside the 100-foot front setback. The location near the town airport prompted safety and lighting questions that the board logged for follow-up during site-plan review.
During public comment, resident Harvey Sawyer asked about building elevation and potential effects on the airport approach zone and raised lighting concerns; the applicant said night-sky-compliant, downcast lighting would be addressed at the Planning Board site-plan review. The board closed the public hearing after testimony and, finding the variance criteria satisfied, voted to approve the variance on a motion by Board member David Peragallo, seconded by Marc Tieger.
The approval record references a Zoning Exhibit Plan for Tax Map 243 Lot 25 (67 Plantation Dr) prepared for MPC Construction, LLC, for North Pine LLC dated Dec. 11, 2025. The applicant will proceed to Planning Board site-plan review, where building elevations, lighting design, and any coordination with airport safety authorities will be considered.
