LACONIA — Members of Laconia’s Zoning Board of Adjustment declined a developer's request for a density variance to add 24 housing to White Oaks Road during their meeting Monday night.
In December, attorney John Cronin, in representing Skyview Acres, told members of the planning board his clients sought to build an upscale neighborhood at 238 White Oaks.
Cronin and property owner Peter Grenier appeared before the ZBA on Monday night at City Hall, seeking a variance for density on the property — it’s zoned rural-residential and they hoped to build 24 duplex units across 12 buildings there. Without the variance, they’d be able to build up to five, single-family homes on the property.
“This particular zone does not allow the duplexes that we proposed without a variance,” Cronin said Monday night. “We’re seeking 12 buildings, 24 total units of duplex housing. Consistent, I believe, with the Housing Committee for the State of New Hampshire and the good work the Legislature has been doing. Certainly consistent with the master plan to provide diverse types of housing. This is laid out with a lot of care.”
Cronin told members of the ZBA he envisioned a “Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard-type layout and feel” development on the property, located near Paugus Bay, north of The Margate Resort.
Richard Boddie, an alternate on the ZBA, recused himself from the discussion and eventual vote. He owns property further north along White Oaks.
Neighbors and abutters turned out in force, arguing such a development would change the essential character of the neighborhood — it’s rural, doesn’t have the expansive views normally associated with tourist areas of the city, and has limited access to municipal services. The development wouldn’t be on city water — they’d have to drill wells — but it would be connected to city sewer.
It’s a 10-acre parcel which Skyview Acres purchased in August 2024, for $1.23 million. The most recent assessment, according to a property database, pegs the value at $869,300.
“White Oaks Road is not waterfront and there are no views to speak of,” Dean Ingram of White Oaks said. “The only thing that makes White Oaks Road appealing at all is that it’s rural. Laconia’s zoning regulations already allow for reasonable growth within rurally-zoned areas, so developers need to adhere to the regulations, and not bank on getting a variance to make their business plan work.”
Cronin told members of the ZBA an appraisal conducted by Mark McKeon showed no evidence the large residential development would diminish the values of surrounding properties, but residents of White Oaks and direct abutters to the property argued their subjective values would diminish, due to the fact the rural character of the neighborhood could be forever altered.
ZBA member and City Councilor Eric Hoffman (Ward 3) said the city’s housing inventory is low and more housing is needed, but leaders and planners need to be intentional about where increased density is appropriate.
“I think, you know, earlier tonight we saw some examples of why we have variances, and I think this is an example of why we have zoning,” Hoffman said Monday night. “I think it’s really hard to make the argument that this development doesn’t substantially change the character of that neighborhood.”
(1) comment
I’m seeing that the more recent housing developments aren’t affordable to the middle and lower classes. We just end up with residents of Massachusetts moving here. Not my idea of the much needed ‘affordable housing.’ Do better!
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.