Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting (minutes)
The Zoning Board approved a 4-0 vote to grant variance Case 21-2026, allowing George Zalaket to add a second story to a non-conforming garage at 5 County Rd. The Board denied Case 27-2026 in a 3-1 vote, rejecting Cally Weymouth’s request to remove a commercial use condition on her garage at 63 Mammoth Rd. Case 13-2026, regarding Karl Dubay’s modifications to a motorcycle dealer at 60 Range Rd, was continued to July 28th at 7 pm with a 4-0 vote. The Board requested updated plan details, including stream markings and performance bonds. Case 16-2026 for Carole M. Martin’s house replacement at 2 Cross St was continued to July 14th. Case 33-2026, Eric Lavoie’s deck variance at 46 Hadleigh Rd, was continued to August 11th for further fire department information. The meeting adjourned at 8:47 pm. Source: https://www.windhamnh.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06162026-2980
Community Development Department Town of Windham, New Hampshire 3 N. Lowell Road, Windham, NH 03087 | (603) 432-3806 Ext. 2 | www.WindhamNH.gov Zoning Board of Adjustment 1 Approved Minutes 2 June 16, 2026, at 6:00 PM 3 3 North Lowell Road, Windham, NH 4 (Community Development Department) 5 6 Attendance: 7 Mike Scholz, Chair- present 8 Michelle Stith, Vice Chair- excused 9 Mark Brockmeier, Secretary- excused 10 Jeff Faust, regular member- present 11 Pam Skinner, regular member- present 12 Galen Stearns, alternate member- present 13 14 Staff: 15 George Frangomihalos- ZBA Administrator/ Code Enforcement 16 Anitra Lincicum- minute taker (present via Teams) 17 18 Public Hearing 19 20 Case13-2026 Parcel 17-H-10 21 Applicant- Karl Dubay 22 Owners- 60 Range Rd, LLC 23 Location- 60 Range Rd- Nault’s 24 Zoning- Gateway Commercial/ WPOD/ WWPD 25 The application requests a variance from Sections 601.3, 616.6.4.1, 616.8, 616.8.1, 616.8.3, to 26 make modifications to an existing motorcycle and recreational vehicle dealer to include impacts 27 and improvements within the WWPD and WPOD buffers. 28 (Continued from the April 28th, 2026, ZBA meeting) 29 30 Mr. Faust read the case into the record. This is a continued case. 31 32 Mr. Karl Dubay of Dubay Group addressed the Board. Chairman Scholz stated that there was a site walk 33 on June 2nd. Mr. Dubay stated that there would be an updated set of plans for the Board while at that site 34 walk. Addressing the updated plan, Mr. Dubay stated they are trying to clean up some encroachments in 35 the WWPD and WPOD buffer. The plan no longer has any proposed buildings in the WWPD and WPOD 36 buffer. There would be a storage barn with landscaping and fencing near Bank Road on the site. There will 37 be a 50 ft vegetated buffer along Range Rd in front of the storage area with raised berm, fencing, and 38 evergreens screening the storage area on the site. The fence will wrap around the entire storage area. The 39 accessory area on the site will be smaller. Mr. Dubay explained where the wetlands and stream are on the 40 property and there were 3 wetland scientists that took a look at the wetlands on the site. There would be 41 minimal wetland fill in one area and this was proposed long ago from both the town and the state for 42 Nault’s driveway access from Bank Rd which will provide access for their customers, suppliers, and 43 06_16_2026, ZBA Approved vendors and be secured with an electronic gate. There are several containers on the site, and all of them 44 will be consolidated into the proposed storage barn. Mr. Dubay explained that the variances are inter- 45 related. 46 47 Mr. Dubay stated that their intention is to make an improvement to the area and they are adding storm 48 treatment to the area. Mr. Dubay explained that pavement near a wetland now requires a variance, yet, 49 the original intent of the pavement here on this site was for safety. Chairman Scholz asked several 50 questions about a building on the plan and a gravel area shown on site. Mr. Dubay stated that the gravel is 51 the proposed reduction of impervious area. Mr. Dubay discussed the stockade fence and landscaping on 52 the site. The berm is a buffer to separate the storage area. Mr. Dubay discussed the gate; it is completely 53 out of the traffic flow in the area. There is second gate on the site as well that is existing. 54 55 Chairman Scholz asked if these are all the variances the applicant would need. Mr. Dubay stated that it is 56 and they have worked closely with staff to refine these. Chairman Scholz asked about the variance 57 request for 616.8 as it seems overly broad given the variance requests for 616.8.1 and 616.8.3. Mr. Dubay 58 agreed 616.8 it is not needed. Chairman Scholz asked about the implementation plan. Mr. Dubay stated 59 that there would be a phased approach as this is a functioning business and the applicant will also need 60 to go before Planning Board. The first step would be to remove the encroachments and revegetate the 61 impacted areas. Next, they would re-establish the front buffer. The third thing would be the storage and 62 activity areas and driveway. The applicant could then start on getting rid of all the storage containers and 63 begin on building the barn. Mr. Dubay mentioned a restoration bond that is sometimes utilized to ensure 64 completion of a project. 65 66 Mr. Curt Grenier, the applicant addressed the Board to discuss lighting and phases of construction along 67 with the current conditions of the property. Chairman Scholz asked about the removal of the current 68 buildings in relation to the construction of the barn. Mr. Grenier stated that the current structures would 69 need to be removed to allow construction. 70 71 Chairman Scholz invited public comment. 72 73 Mr. Steven Andrews, 48 Woodvue, addressed the Board. Mr. Andrews stated he is generally in favor of of 74 what’s trying to be accomplished, but he has several concerns. Mr. Andrews believes there should be a 75 landscape buffer in front of the (Range Rd) building instead of the 4 wheel drive vehicles up near the 76 property line which makes it feel like an industrial site. He’d like to see a loading zone on the site plan so 77 that the business will no longer have trucks parking on Range Road to make deliveries. Mr. Andrews would 78 like to make sure there’s also enough parking for their business on the site to support the use so that they 79 do not trade a loading zone problem for an employee parking problem so there is not parking on or near 80 Range Road. Mr. Andrews discussed winter boat storage because the site is currently being used as such 81 and he does not believe it is zoned for that. Mr. Andrews stated that the applicant has not voluntarily 82 attempted to comply with the zoning for the past year, and a full compliance performance bond shodul be 83 required. Mr. Frangomihalos confirmed that the violations have been reported to code enforcement. 84 85 Mr. Patrick Nysten, 4 Edgewood Road, addressed the Board. Mr. Nysten stated he has a seasonal view of 86 the property. Mr. Nysten said it seems like an industrial site as there is a lot of tractor trailer traffic for this 87 business on Range Road. Making an access from the rear is going to be an improvement. Mr. Nysten 88 discussed the storage area on the property (where boats are currently being stored near Range Rd); he 89 06_16_2026, ZBA Approved does not think this is an allowed use on the property because it is an expansion of a non-conforming use 90 onto the new lot that was voluntarily merged with the existing lot. Mr. Nysten discussed Section 400 of 91 the Windham Zoning Ordinance - Continuance of Existing Uses and Structures - no increase in the extent 92 of the non-conforming use..., noting Sections 401 and 406. Mr. Nysten does not think boat storage across 93 from a residential neighborhood is appropriate. Mr. Nysten discussed the lot merger and how that relates 94 to the non-conformance of the uses (Sections 1E and 4C of the Voluntary Lot Merger Regulations). Mr. 95 Nysten also submitted a 2012 letter from Town Counsel opining that the sale of vehicles is not a permitted 96 use in the Gateway District or other districts where retail is a permitted use. Mr. Nysten stated that the 97 variances filed do not address the non-conformance of the use on the new lot that was merged. Chairman 98 Scholz labeled the submission by Mr. Nysten as Exhibits A-1, B-1, K-1. Mr. Nysten then addressed the 99 tributary stream; he would like this shown on the plan and noted the tributary stream was also not shown 100 for a Planning Board case next door. Mr. Nysten stated that the use of the site as a boat yard is not an 101 allowed use and does not meet the spirit of the ordinance. Mr. Nysten pointed to the rear half of the the 102 plan and does think that is an improvement to the site but there are pros and cons to this plan. Mr. Nysten 103 also clarified that he does not see a numerical value of the front buffer on the plan from Range Rd, and 104 that needs to be clarified. 105 106 Ms. Vanessa Nysten addressed the Board. Ms. Nysten stated that the tributary stream, which is on the 107 property, is still not shown on the plan. When a stream is on a plan, her understanding is that the level of 108 storm water management increases so it’s important for the stream to be shown on the plan. Ms. Nysten 109 stated the WPOD buffer is finally being shown on the updated plan, but that the WPOD buffer should be 110 shown on every page of the plan. Chairman Scholz stated that he can see it on the plan but Ms. Nysten 111 clarified the WPOD buffer is not shown on the Existing Conditions Plan. She stated that the tributary 112 stream is not shown on the plan, but was identified by 2 wetland scientists according to Ms. Nysten, 113 including the recent email from the Town’s certified wetland scientist, Mr. Seekamp, as well as other 114 documentation. Ms. Nysten believes the applicant did not indicate the correct date on the summary plan 115 related to the expired variances as the applicant labeled that plan as approved 2012 instead of 2013. Ms. 116 Nysten spoke to the voluntary merger regulations and non-conformity of the lot and that that cannot be 117 increased. Ms. Nysten stated that she would like to submit paperwork to the Board: testimony about the 118 tributary stream from a transcript of a 2022 PB meeting for a court 119 case regarding a property next door (labeled as Exhibit C1 by Chairman Scholz), testimony about what 120 happens if you drop a dye tablet at the top of the wetland (from a transcript of a 2022 PB meeting for a 121 court case regarding a property next door) (labeled Exhibit D1 by the Vice Chair), information about 122 Cobbetts Pond and Canobie Lake water quality (labeled Exhibits E-1 and F-1 by the Chair), 2025 Assessor 123 Card showing the 2021 voluntary lot merger and use code for the property (labeled exhibit G-1), addition 124 of Canobie to the watershed ordinance from 2012 Town Meeting (labeled exhibit H-1). She believes that a 125 WPOD variance should have been applied for in 2013. Next, the Gateway ordinance (labeled exhibit I-1). 126 She believes there’s non-conformance of use based on the allowed uses in the ordinance. 127 128 Ms. Betty Dunn addressed the Board and she appreciates the improvements that have been made since 129 the last meeting. Ms. Dunn asked if a pontoon boat would be considered impervious based on how large 130 the surface area is. Ms. Dunn also asked about lighting in the area. 131 132 Mr. Nysten addressed the Board again and asked about the portion labeled storage and stated that the 133 use of the lot needs to be something that is conforming with the ordinance. 134 135 06_16_2026, ZBA Approved Mr. Dubay addressed the Board and the public for rebuttal. 136 137 Mr. Dubay stated the applicant would be happy to put signage prohibiting loading and unloading and no 138 parking. The applicant agrees and also agrees there needs to be a parking plan. Mr. Dubay mentioned a 139 performance bond that the applicant would be willing to comply with. Mr. Dubay stated that retail is 140 allowed by right in accordance with 16.8.21 and 16.8.28. Mr. Dubay and the Board then discussed how 141 the voluntary merger might impact zoning. Mr. Dubay stated that the act of merging 2 lots does not make 142 them non-conforming. Mr. Dubay discussed the 100-foot setback to wetlands. Mr. Dubay stated the 143 applicant can show the 100-foot setback from the edge of wetlands. Mr. Dubay stated that he is not 144 contesting the setback from the wetland and the plan has been reviewed by the Conservation 145 Commission, yet, the setback may not need to be from the pipe, just the wetland. The WWPD have been 146 labeled; Mr. Dubay will add the WPOD label to the plan. 147 148 Mr. Dubay stated he will check on the tax card and he and the applicant will work to resolve the tax card 149 question. A pontoon boat is not affixed within the surface of the ground so it is probably not impervious; 150 this was in response to Ms. Dunn’s question. The lighting package will be dark sky friendly and the sight 151 will not need large spotlights. Mr. Dubay stated just because 2 lots were merged, it does not mean that 152 there is non-compliance on the second lot. Mr. Dubay would like to do more research with the applicant’s 153 attorney on the front display area of the lot. Mr. Dubay stated that the storage is accessory to the retail 154 use; this is not exclusively a boat storage yard according to Mr. Dubay. Chairman Scholz asked if all the 155 the boats on the lot are for sale. Mr. Grenier stated that boats are housed there while waiting for the repair 156 order to be filled. 157 158 Chairman Scholz listed some of the items that the Board and the public would like to see updated on the 159 plan: 160 161 -performance compliance bond details for the ZBA record (Planning Board) 162 -marking of outlet and tributary stream 163 -adding WPOD label 164 -date of prior plan 165 -updating the lighting in the front of the site 166 - history on the existing front area display (which the applicant said they would look into) 167 -fence/berm/trees and the height of this feature 168 169 The Chair opened discussion for limited rebuttal. 170 171 Ms. Vanessa Nysten asked if the list can include: no loading on Range Road, no parking on Range Road 172 and be sure the applicant details adequate loading and parking on the lot. Ms. Nysten stated that there 173 were not any WPOD buffers on the plan provided for the previous meeting and she had asked the 174 applicant, staff, and the Board several times that these buffers be shown. Also, she stated that the WPOD 175 and the WWPD are different; they are not the same as they are two different ordinances with two different 176 criteria. Ms. Nysten stated that the WPOD is a much higher standard. Ms. Nysten cited the standard in the 177 WPOD. Ms. Nysten summarized differences between the WPOD and the WWPD. 178 179 Mr. Nysten suggested the Board discuss the motor vehicle issue with their attorney for clarity. He stated 180 that, back in 2012, the applicant tried to spin it as retail. You can merge two lots, but you can’t expand a 181 non-conforming use onto a new lot without a variance . Mr. Nysten stated that the Board might consider 182 having their attorney present at the next meeting to speak to the motor vehicle question. 183 06_16_2026, ZBA Approved 184 Mr. Andrews mentioned that, regarding winter storage of the boats, to say boats need to be stored for six 185 months to install a fish finder in the spring is non-sensical. In addition, the area displaying the 186 merchandise right by the street was not always used as a display area. 187 188 Mr. Grenier stated that wrapping a boat is a paid service, the boat is then wrapped and stored high so the 189 boat can be worked on from underneath. There are 2 employees that work on the boats all winter and that 190 is their work for the winter. 191 192 Mr. Dubay stated that he and his firm will be sure to update the plans as requested by the Board and the 193 abutters/residents. Mr. Dubay stated that they are sure to comply with the standards of WPOD. Mr. Dubay 194 reiterated they will show the no parking and loading areas. The applicant only requires 1 stormceptor and 195 that is shown on the plan as proposed and meets the requirements. The stormceptor is at an access point 196 on the site. This is separated from the septic system. Mr. Dubay would like to get legal clarification from 197 the town’s attorney and town staff along with the property owner’s attorney regarding definition and uses. 198 199 Mr. Faust made a motion to continue Case 13-2026 to July 28th at 7 pm. Seconded by Mr. Stearns. 200 Vote 4-0. Motion passes. 201 202 203 Case 16-2026 Parcel 17-C-101C 204 Applicant- SFC Engineering C/O Carole M. Martin 205 Owner- Carole M. Martin 206 Location- 2 Cross St 207 Zoning- Residential District A/ WPOD 208 The application requests a variance from Sections 405.2, 405.3, and 702/ Appendix-1, to raze 209 and replace an existing single-family dwelling, with a new single-family dwelling, on a pre-existing, 210 non-conforming lot of record. 211 (The applicant requests a continuance to the July 14th, 2026 ZBA meeting for which The Board shall 212 Consider) 213 214 Mr. Faust read the case into the record. 215 216 Mr. Stearns made a motion to continue Case 16-2026 to July 14th, 2026. Seconded by Mr. Faust. Vote 217 4-0. Motion passes. 218 219 220 Case 21-2026 Parcel 7-A-903 221 Applicant- George Zalaket 222 Owner- Same 223 Location- 5 County Rd 224 Zoning District- Rural District 225 The application requests a variance from Section 401, to permit the addition of a second story on 226 a non-conforming garage that received a variance on August 2nd, 1976, to be approximately 23’ 227 from the side property line. 228 229 06_16_2026, ZBA Approved Mr. George Zalaket, the applicant, addressed the Board. Mr. Zalaket explained that there was a variance 230 granted in 1976 on the property. Mr. Zalaket reviewed the 5 criteria contained in the public packet. The 231 applicant is looking to make use of his property. 232 233 The Board entered deliberative session without opposition. 234 235 Chairman Scholz stated that the location of the garage does make this proposal unique and he does think 236 this is a reasonable request. The surrounding properties do have garages so it does fit with the use of 237 surrounding properties. 238 239 Mr. Faust made a motion to grant the variance request for Case #21-2026 as presented. Seconded by 240 Mr. Stearns. Vote 4-0. Motion passes. 241 242 Findings of Fact: 243 244 Criteria 1 & 2: 245 • There is no threat to public health or safety, and the proposal is consistent with others in the 246 neighborhood. 247 Criteria 3: 248 • There is no articulated public interest which would defeat the applicant’s interest in this instance. 249 Criteria 4: No evidence has been presented which, in the experience, knowledge, and understanding of the board 250 members, would decrease surrounding property values. 251 Criteria 5: 252 • Custom to the property. 253 • Location of Existing structure and its unique setting since last variance in 1976 254 255 Mr. Stearns made a motion to approve the Findings of Fact for Case #21-2026 as presented. 256 Seconded by Mr. Faust. Vote 4-0. Motion passes. 257 258 Case 27-2026 Parcel 19-B-507 259 Applicant- Cally Weymouth 260 Owners- Cally & Lawrence Weymouth, III 261 Location- 63 Mammoth Rd 262 Zoning- Rural District/ WWPD 263 The application requests an amendment to a previously approved variance that was granted relief 264 at the January 14, 2025, Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting. The Board placed conditions on the 265 property, and the condition the applicant is requesting to remove is listed as “Condition 3”; “No 266 commercial operations out of the garage and no living space in the garage”. 267 (Continued from June 9th, 2026, per the applicant’s request) 268 269 Mr. Faust read the case into the record. 270 271 Ms. Cally Weymouth addressed the Board; she is the applicant. Ms. Weymouth stated she is looking for a 272 variance to support mothers who recently had children. Ms. Weymouth does have a studio near Nault’s 273 but that space will not work for the proposed use of the barn on her property and she would like to use this 274 space in a different way than her studio. 275 06_16_2026, ZBA Approved 276 Mr. Frangomihalos stated that the applicant has not paid for the variance but they have paid for 277 notification of abutters and the notice. The Board and Mr. Frangomihalos discussed the best way to 278 proceed based on what was noticed, what was paid for and what application was before the Board. 279 280 Mr. Shayne Gendron of Edward N. Herbert and Associates addressed the Board. Mr. Gendron submitted a 281 letter of authorization to the Chair and is representing the applicant. Mr. Gendron stated he walked the 282 site with the applicant a month ago and is familiar with the septic system that was installed on the site in 283 2022. The septic system can accommodate both the 4-bedroom home and the proposed use of the barn. 284 The building is existing and has been on site since the 1960’s but the structure is not viewable from the 285 street. Mr. Gendron cited Section 602.6.1. The driveway is existing. The Board also discussed the use of 286 the building; it would not be for living space. 287 288 Mr. Gendron asked if there was a restriction on installing a small bathroom in the barn based on use. 289 There would not be. 290 291 The Board and Mr. Gendron discussed the use of the barn prior to this request; it had been used for 292 different small businesses in the past. 293 294 The Chair invited public comment. 295 296 Mr. Rodney Layman, 57 Mammoth Road, addressed the Board. Mr. Layman is in opposition to the request. 297 Mr. Layman stated that all interested parties were aware of Condition #3. Mr. Layman would like to know 298 that circumstances have changed since the condition was placed. Further, Mr. Layman stated that his 299 property would lose approximately 7% of the value were the variance granted based on a recent appraisal. 300 Mr. Layman is in opposition to the request. Mr. Layman submitted the appraisal and it was labeled Exhibit 301 A by Chairman Scholz. 302 303 Richard Crawford, 55 Mammoth Road, addressed the Board. Mr. Crawford does not believe there should 304 be a commercial service on the property. Mr. Crawford stated they already have an issue with an abutting 305 business. Mr. Crawford thinks the business is better suited for a commercial property instead of on the 306 applicant’s property. 307 308 Chairman Scholz asked Mr. Gendron if there was a plan to put a replacement structure on the property. 309 Mr. Gendron stated there was a plan approved in 2022 that went before the Planning Board which did not 310 go before ZBA at that time. Mr. Gendron submitted that plan and Chairman Scholz labeled it Exhibit B. 311 312 Mr. Gendron read a letter of support from Erin and Matt Russell, Mammoth Road, a direct abutter, in 313 support of the business. 314 315 Mr. Steven Roberts, 59 Mammoth Road, addressed the Board also wrote a letter in support of the variance 316 request. 317 318 Mr. Gendron stated that this is not a commercial use; this is an in-home business. 319 320 Chairman Scholz addressed Mr. Layman about his letter from the appraiser. The appraisal was written 321 about a different local business. 322 323 06_16_2026, ZBA Approved Ms. Weymouth addressed the Board and stated that her business across town is not suitable for young 324 moms and her property will allow her to provide a service to young expectant moms. Ms. Weymouth 325 stated that having it at home will allow her to provide a service for young moms. Providing a service for 326 expectant moms means she will need a bathroom and a septic system. 327 328 Mr. Crawford mentioned a recently approved business for dogs which also required a variance. 329 330 The Board entered deliberative session without opposition. 331 332 Chairman Scholz stated that the condition placed on the barn was a concern around using it as a 333 dwelling. He does not think there is a change in ordinance. Chairman Scholz does not think removing a 334 condition is in the best interest of the Board and he does not think it meets the 5 criteria. 335 336 Mr. Stearns stated there was rationale when the condition was placed. Chairman Scholz does not see a 337 change in circumstance or ordinance. Chairman Scholz recalls the barn was not going to be used as living 338 space or commercial space. 339 340 Mr. Faust stated he is looking for the distinction between a commercial space and a home occupation 341 use. Also, what would have changed to make the property unique now. 342 343 Mr. Stearns stated that the applicant in 2022 was going to use the garage as storage, not for anything else. 344 Home occupation is arguably a quasi-commercial use according to Chairman Scholz. Mr. Stearns further 345 stated there was a lot that went into the use of the garage during the 2022 hearing. 346 347 Mr. Stearns made a motion to deny Case #27-2026. Seconded by Ms. Skinner. Vote 3-1. Mr. Faust 348 opposed. The Chair advised of the 30-day appeal period. 349 350 Findings of Fact: N/A See NOTE 351 352 Criteria 1 & 2: 353 • There is no threat to public health or safety, and the proposal is consistent with others in the 354 neighborhood. 355 Criteria 3: 356 • There is no articulated public interest which would defeat the applicant’s interest in this instance. 357 Criteria 4: No evidence has been presented which, in the experience, knowledge, and understanding of the board 358 members, would decrease surrounding property values. 359 Criteria 5: 360 • Custom to the property. 361 Note: This was a hearing to remove existing condition. Board voted 3-1 to Deny as there was no ordinance 362 relief sought to modify. Findings of fact N/A for this case. 363 364 Mr. Stearns made a motion to approve the Finding of Fact for Case 27-2026 as presented. Seconded 365 by Ms. Skinner. Vote 4-0. Motion passes. 366 367 Case 33-2026 Parcel 3-B-265-17.46 368 Applicant- Eric Lavoie 369 06_16_2026, ZBA Approved Owners- Eric and Elizabeth Lavoie 370 Location- 46 Hadleigh Rd 371 Zoning- Rural District/WWPD 372 The application requests a variance from Section 610.7.1.4 to permit the construction of an 8’ x 373 8’ deck that would encroach within the required 35’ horizontal separation between buildings. 374 375 Mr. Eric Lavoie addressed the Board; he is the applicant. The packet submitted was labeled Exhibit A by 376 the Chair. Mr. Lavoie reviewed the 5 criteria. The applicant submitted pictures of his existing deck. 377 378 Discussion between the applicant and the Board and the best way to proceed and the applicant was 379 continued to August 11th 380 381 Mr. Faust made a motion to continue Case #22-2026 at 7 pm to the first case on August 11th, 2026. 382 Seconded by Mr. Stearns Vote 4-0. Motion passes. 383 384 Chairman Scholz explained the process moving forward and staff would try to get information from fire 385 regarding the setback. 386 387 Mr. Faust made a motion to adjourn at 8:47 pm. Seconded by Mr. Stearns. Vote 4-0. Motion passes. 388 389 Respectfully submitted by Ms. Anitra Lincicum 390