Despite planning board approval, abutters object to storage building at Tiki Plaza

LACONIA — Members of the city’s planning board unanimously approved an amendment to a site plan to construct a 2,700-square-foot metal building at Tiki Plaza during their meeting on Feb. 3.

That parcel has been subject to legal review in the state court system.

The project, located at 604 Endicott St. N. in the Weirs, is on a 1-acre parcel in the commercial resort zoning district. The proposed building would be constructed behind an existing rental building. The proposed building “will be used by a landscape company for storage,” according to their application to the planning board.

Pine Hollow Campground is listed as an abutter by the city.

“They submitted an updated drainage report, drainage analysis, that’s dated March 31, 2023, revised Jan. 13, 2025,” Planning Director Rob Mora said. “If you review the drainage report, it shows a net decrease from the pre- to the post-development flow, and they did it based off of our site plan regulations for the 24-hour storm event.

“Their conclusion was the proposed development by the developer will not create any adverse effects downstream in storm water flow rates or quality.”

The planning board was instructed by city legal counsel only to consider aspects of the development related to drainage.

“That is because, when this originally went to the Superior Court, the Superior Court found that the only basis on which it remanded your decision on this application in the first place was because it did not understand how you reached your conclusion on the drainage issue,” said Laura Spector-Morgan, an attorney who represents the city. “The campground did appeal that decision to the Supreme Court on various grounds, but the currently-pending decision only relates to drainage. We had a mediation at the Supreme Court, and the only issues that are addressed in the settlement agreement really related to drainage.”

A March 19, 2024, settlement agreement between the city, Pine Hollow and Tiki Plaza outlines the specifics of a detention pond on the parcel, and notes that, should the detention pond not function properly, Pine Hollow would request inspection and enforcement by the city’s planning director or by City Manager Kirk Beattie.

“I think it's appropriate for this board to consider its analysis on this application limited to drainage. In addition, the only changes that were made to the plan relate to the drainage, and therefore, it is appropriate that you limit your review to the changes to the plan,” Spector-Morgan said.

Attorney Paul Tierney, who represents Pine Hollow Campground, said for the record his opinion is the board is in error in not allowing him to speak in response to the points made by Spector-Morgan, in giving her advice to the board.

Planning board Chair Charlie St. Clair said it's a tough situation and wished all parties good luck.

“It’s very uncomfortable for all of us, I think, when you have this situation between neighbors,” St. Clair said. “I can only hope that the parties concerned can, through litigation or not, work something out to just get along and make things better for each other.”