Alton ZBA to Cherry Valley Road development: Submit new application

ALTON — The Zoning Board of Adjustment's message to a developer hoping to build a hilltop wedding venue was clear: the board’s patience has run out.

A much-anticipated meeting was held on Thursday night, at which the principal developer behind the proposed project was hoping to achieve a special exception to operate a commercial facility in a rural zone. However, the applicant, Amy Grimm, doing business as Lakes Hospitality Group, never was able to present her proposal.

Lakes Hospitality Group proposes to build a wedding and retreat center, including cottages for onsite lodging, on a hilltop parcel overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee at 00 Cherry Valley Road. The applicant was initially requesting multiple variances from the ZBA as well as the special exception, but clarified after the meeting the most recent versions of the plans no longer require any variances.

Prior to the ZBA’s consideration of the application, board member Thomas Lee turned to Norma Ditri, code enforcement officer, and asked, “In regards to this application, is it complete?”

“It is not,” Ditri responded. “We are lacking information to make decisions, in my opinion.”

Frank Rich then asked, “Are you saying, in your determination, this application is not complete?”

“I am saying that,” Ditri confirmed.

Jessica Call, town planner, then detailed some of the application’s shortcomings. There was confusion around whether or not a road on the plan was in fact a private driveway, and whether an accessory dwelling unit was or wasn’t an in-law apartment.

Mark Manning, board chair, added the plan didn’t include a clear measure of the height of the tallest proposed building, the so-called “Glass Barn” that would host weddings and other functions.

“There’s no scale that goes to the very top of the building,” Manning said.

Paul LaRochelle, board member, said the deadline for submitting information for the meeting was May 23, but, “we’ve been receiving information well after the deadline,” LaRochelle said. “We received information that just came in today ... I don’t feel as though we can clearly go through this case and have a good feeling of how we should proceed.”

Lee noted the provision of a special exception is a matter of law. “We have to follow guidelines here that are outlined by state statutes, we can’t be wiggly-wobbly about facts.” Then, turning to the town’s planning staff, he said, “It’s not your fault that people are not following deadlines. We go out of our way to work with anyone, any application, without bias. This case, in my opinion, it’s incomplete.”

The rest of the board concurred, voting unanimously to declare the application incomplete.

Further, they noted the application has already been continued four times, in excess of the usual two extensions provided by board policy.

“I feel the board went above and beyond to allow continuances, there have been many opportunities to submit a complete application,” Call noted.

Without a further continuation, Lakes Hospitality Group will need to re-apply.

Scott Tranchemontagne, spokesperson for the project, issued the following statement on Friday: "We had hoped to make the Board aware of several project improvements made after listening to many Alton residents and business owners. For example, we removed a proposed helipad as well as an amphitheater and pledged to hold all wedding receptions or other events with amplified sound indoors. We also improved the design to be dark sky compliant and fully protect Alton Brook. Had we been able to address the board, we would have clarified that we are only seeking a special exception, without any variances, as outlined in our amended plans. We had planned to present our improved vision of creating a beautiful, serene place of celebration that would preserve more than 55% of the wooded land and be respectful of neighbors’ concerns. It was disappointing to be denied that opportunity."

The meeting was originally scheduled to be held in Town Hall. However, due to the large crowd in attendance — in excess of the room’s capacity of 98, Manning said — the meeting was moved to Prospect Mountain High School’s auditorium.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the current zoning use for 00 Cherry Valley Road as rural.