Planning Board OKs one-person motorcycle repair shop at 39 School Street with restricted hours and no sidewalk parking

The Hillsborough Planning Board on Aug. 20 approved a change of use allowing William McDonald to operate a by-appointment, single-vehicle motorcycle repair shop at 39 School Street (Map 24 Lot 41) with conditions on hours and parking. Andrew Morris moved to approve the application; Dana Clow seconded. Chairperson Susanne White successfully moved to amend the hours before the final vote.

McDonald told the board that "The shop will be the only licensed one in town" and that he had obtained a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a business in the Village Residential zone dated 7/14/25. During public comment, Pamela Powers raised concerns about how pickup and drop-off might affect pedestrian access and school traffic, saying her "main concern was school traffic and kids walking there." The board discussed limiting impacts given that McDonald described the operation as a one-person, low-volume service.

The board approved the application with the following constraints reflected in the motion and amendment: business hours will remain 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; pickup and delivery of motorcycles will be allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.; there will be no on-street or sidewalk parking; no outside storage of materials; and the applicant must follow applicable state, local and federal regulations. The motion to approve was moved by Andrew Morris and seconded by Dana Clow; Susanne White moved the hours amendment and Andrew Morris seconded; the amendment carried unanimously and the application was approved with the amended hours and other conditions.

The record notes that the owner of record is William and Amanda McDonald and that the applicant previously received a ZBA variance to allow motor vehicle service in the Village Residential zone (7/14/25).