I disagree. It’s a corporate event facility. How are the 200, 300, 400 or 500 corporate attendees going to get to and from the facility? By helicopter? It’s going to have a major impact on traffic and the infrastructure of both Alton and Gilford.

Shuttle service.

Here's where the money is coming from...
 

The money behind this project is coming from the Toast IPO. One of the founders of Toast (Grimm) is the owner of the parcel, although it's been placed in an LLC. Massachusetts billionaires bringing this blight to Alton, Gilford and Lake Winnipesaukee. The expansion will never stop with so many other large vacant land parcels around this development parcel. This is another reason why this project must be snuffed.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrick...h=64587ba06842

Perhaps Twin Farms in Barnard VT is the business model? 300 acres, 28 cottages and suites, adults only. About $2500/night I think, depending on suite or cottage. Food, fine spirits, activities included. Eat in cottage, dining room or have a catered picnic.

Sort of like bringing the resorts back.

Facebook Group
 

A friend has informed me that there has been a new Facebook Group created to provide information about this project. Those of you on Facebook can search for
CHERRY VALLEY DEVELOPMENT ALTON/GILFORD.

Possibly. But it sounds more like they want to rent/lease to a single entity at a time.

Yep the "big buck folks from down under" are pushing this with local help of course. It is interesting that they own a upscale lake home on Winni now, but this project is nowhere near that property. This will ruin the immediate area and make it ok to push more and more commercial projects into Alton. The noise, the lights, the traffic and the altering of zoning need to be addressed and hopefully stop this project in it's tracks. Even the expansion of West Alton Marina has been a bit of a bummer especially with the ownership now up in the air due to Brian's conviction and soon to be realized prison term.

I encourage all Alton residents to get involved and fight this effort.

voting
 

This is a major project that will affect the entire town. Any change to zoning laws to accommodate this should be voted on at town meeting. The ZBA and other town officials should not make the decision for the residents.

I think to change zoning laws you have to have a vote at town meeting.
What they may be looking for is a variance... which has a process usually involving some public input.

They will not IF the local folks show up and make their feelings known. Also if they get enough "pressure" from the project owners they will cave in to the pressure. The folks who live near there and especially the abutters need to speak up and make it clear what they want.

The one case that was before the Alton Zoning Board last night, was continued to May 2nd with no action (they were not there):

Case #Z24-10
The Lakes Hospitality Group, LLC, Jeremy Martin, Signatory
Map 16 Lot 18 & 20
Cherry Valley Road
Special Exception
Rural Zone (RU)
A Special Exception is requested from Article 300 Section 334 to permit a Commercial Function Facility in the Rural Zone.


They have three other applications/cases that were already continued to May 2nd.


Case #Z24-11
The Lakes Hospitality Group, LLC, Jeremy Martin, Signatory
Map 16 Lot 18 & 20
Cherry Valley Road
Variance
Rural Zone (RU)
A Variance is requested from Article 400 Section 452.B to permit access to two proposed lots apart from where the street frontage is claimed.
CONTINUED until May 2, 2024

Case #Z24-12
The Lakes Hospitality Group, LLC, Jeremy Martin, Signatory
Map 16 Lot 18 & 20
Cherry Valley Road
Variance
Rural Zone (RU)
A Variance is requested from Article 300 Section 319 11. to permit an unattached ADU that will be occupied by a person or persons other than the owner.
CONTINUED until May 2, 2024

Case #Z24-13
The Lakes Hospitality Group, LLC, Jeremy Martin, Signatory
Map 16 Lot 18 & 20
Cherry Valley Road
Variance
Rural Zone (RU)
A Variance is requested from Article 300, Sections 319 4. & 12., to permit a detached ADU, where it is required to be attached or within; and to permit an exterior door between the primary single-family dwelling and an ADU, where an interior door is required.
CONTINUED until May 2, 2024


This is all taken from last night's agenda posted on the town calander.

The last one is a bit weird.
I can make an interior door that isolates the two.

A Question
 

Was this an "informational" meeting, meaning they came before the Planning Board just to show "This is what we have in mind for the property" kind of thing? There wasn't a formal site plan application filed and heard? (This is something quite common that some developers will do in order to get some input and feedback prior to submitting an application for site plan approval.)

Be Prepared!
 

One thing the people of Alton should do is make sure that if/when a site plan application is submitted and heard is to attend the Planning Board meeting. That will be the time and place to air one's questions, concerns, problems, and oppositions. Make sure to bring up all the probable problems such a development will create.

If there's an amphitheater where bands will likely play, make sure there are restrictions as to when and how late music can be played. This might also include limits on volume. Any lighting will also need to be addressed.

If a venue for meetings/weddings/etc, then maybe similar restrictions.

If there are likely to be disruptions during construction, make sure they are ALL addressed. If traffic will be an issue during operation, make sure that is also addressed in the site plan, laying out which party is responsible for traffic control, which party will responsible for addressing any and all complaints, and so on.

Just stating "I don't like it and don't want it!" isn't enough for a Planning Board to deny a site application. Be specific. Do the prep work. Don't get emotional when voicing your opinion, particularly if you are opposed.

I have no doubt some of this development will spill over into Gilford at some point and there is already a group looking into this development and any possible problems it may impose on Gilford.

I think Gilford is Ground Zero.

Airport, Winnipesuakee, and Gunstock... its finding the land for a planned development.

Glidden hit the market and went under contract within hours.

Glidden?
 

What or where is Glidden that went under agreement? I am familiar with Glidden Cove. Thanks

Just off from 11A Cherry Valley Road.

To echo Lakeboater--
Is Glidden a large parcel? Buildings, proposed subdivision? What will go there, who might be developing? How is it zoned?

Meaning that the 140 acre parcel that this thread is about is named glidden? I had not heard it referred to as glidden.

The thread is a parcel in Alton.

Glidden is Glidden Road off from 11A in Gilford.
The post by Weekend was postulating that development would spill over into Gilford.

Gilford is the primary choice, but land of a development size in the area between the lake, airport, and Gunstock is hard to come by.

The Glidden Road parcel that just went on the market, and under contract almost immediately, meets the standards of what is being explored by upscale developers.

I own property on the other side of the bay, but still oppose this. I am hoping this gets postponed long enough for summer residents to weigh in. That would help with the number of people opposed to it. We may not vot, but I would like to think we still have some Say in things.

Please, though, stop painting everyone from Massachusetts as the enemy. We aren’t.

John, thank you for the clarification. Appreciate it!

We aren't looking at anyone as the ''enemy'' this is simply bigger money replacing the big money that came to the area years ago.

The bigger money is tied more to the airport rather than Rte 28 or I-93 as the access point. So they will tend to develop around that area.

But Gilford always attracted some very wealthy people. The GIC was around, at least informally, long before I was born or Laconia had an airport.

Vote on Tuesday
 

One important thing that residents of Alton can do to show opposition to this development is to vote on Tuesday. Please vote NO on Warrant Article # 4, which would create a new use called a “Flexible Zoning Subdivision”. I’ve been told that this zoning change idea has something to do with the proposed commercial development on Cherry Valley Road. There’s also a similar Warrant Article on the Gilford ballot, so Gilford residents should also vote NO against this Article. I heard that the same group has been pushing the zoning changes in both towns.

And Gilford should vote NO on Article 2.1 tomorrow
 

We were approached by developers we later found out to be involved to some extent with the Alton project. This developer owns the former Arlberg and is going for rezoning of another property next to it. On the ballot in Gilford tomorrow is 2.1 and about flex zoning. Flex zoning will basically open the door to developers and give them more leeway.


Vote NO, Gilford, on 2.1

Follow the money...
 

Cities and towns have an insatiable appetite for tax "revenue" (I hate that word - it is used to hide the fact that they are simply taking the money of citizens). There will always the "need" for a new Emergency Management Complex, an Activity Center, Town Office Building, or whatever. Developers create increases in property taxes... how much more would Alton get from this Cherry Valley project vs. acres of a forested hilltop? So - the default position of a town board will be to let these things go through unless there is vocal opposition to them by the citizens of the town... If folks don't want this - you had better vote, otherwise you will find that it will happen organically...

More information in the Laconia Sun about the Arlberg proposal.

The man involved, Nick Tamposi, is also the investor who purchased Dave's Motorboat. He is involved in other local projects, in some cases behind the scene. He does good work and his projects improve the community.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...0ec1958d9.html

Sold
 

Glidden road property - sold to a developer.
Sara Bean’s property across from Cat Path on 11A - sold to a developer out of Texas.
The Cherry Valley/Alton property - sold to a developer already seeking to buy surrounding properties for expansion.

And the The Arlberg - owned by a developer with rumored ties to the Cherry Valley project.

Tamposi may have improved communities down south but tell me - how will more housing for the wealthy improve our town and lives? I know expansion happens but it has certainly sped up.

Housing for the wealthy?

Generally, by the time people have achieved significant wealth they are older and beyond their child bearing years. Not always, but more often than not.

If they build a home and pay taxes their burden on the town is small and their financial contribution is larger than any services they require. They also patronize local businesses and their dollars help the local economy.

How will it improve your life? Your taxes will be lower and there will be more viable businesses for you to spend your money at.

I thought the theory correlating Cherry Valley and Tamposi had already been debunked?

If Tamposi just wants an inn across from Gunstock and isn't trying to buy up the entire area I am fine with it, but who knows what his true intentions may end up being?

I agree with everything you just posted except, "your taxes will be lower". That almost never happens!

If the voters (citizens) decide to spend the same amount during the budget project, then an increase in value of property other than your own, should defer taxes to that improved property.

But none of these proposals are exactly the same...
And the wealthy being marketed to are not retirees.

I have some designs out for some... and the youngest in their late 20s.
Tech entrepreneur.

Elderes vs tax benefits
 

New development adds roads that need to be plowed and maintained and need more police to patrol. More ambulance calls means more Fire/rescue people and there will be pressure for an added fire house, and more full time staffing. Let's say it costs $100K to hire somebody with training, retirement, health insurance etc, it will take a dozen houses at $8000 tax each to hire that person, And $50K to give him/her a patrol car. Same for a firefighter plus $250K for an ambulance and how much for an added station?
Every time I hear "fallen and needs help" on the scanner, it means an ambulance and an engine both roll as they need four people, and a patrol car goes too. Maybe two if it's a busy area and needs traffic control.
Right, less school burden, but there is not much profit in taking care of old people unless you run a retirement community.

Is this the subdivision at Stone Brook Farm at the end of Glidden Road? Were all the lots in the subdivision sold to the same party or is it a different parcel that is not part of the subdivision?

The owners went through a lengthy process to get the subdivision on both sides of Glidden Road approved. (The subdivision backs right up to the Alton town line.)

I admit to being confused about which parcel on Glidden being talked about. Can I get some clarification?

If all of the lots were sold and the buyer wants to change things they'll either need to do some lot merges or lot line adjustments, or "undo" the subdivision entirely, all of which will require them to come before the Gilford Planning Board for approval.

Are you sure it was Nick Tamposi who bought Dave's? I thought it was Brad and Carolyn Champlain who bought it and are renaming it Champlain Marine? Or is Nick an investor?

There is a sign there that says Champlain Marine...

Dan

Yes;

Coming soon
Champlain Marine

In hope that Dave did well.


Alan

I think it is. Just under 22 acres. I watch the lots that fit the profile of the larger home builders. As the lake is being built out, quietly a new customer has been emerging. They seem to be focused on the airport - guessing they can fly out easier when they need to rather than use Manchester - and throughout the area have been focused on 10+ acre lots. I think they may have discovered current use and better understand it; but there are only so many in the area. Merging lots to form one that is 10+ acres may come later if the demand holds.

My understanding is that it was on the market for $2.5m, but closed at $1.5m. I get a weekly update email from a commercial broker on various closings around the state. It’s quite informative. Here is the excerpt from the report that week:

“Dave's Motorboat Shoppe at 221 Intervale Road in Gilford has been sold to a Laconia-based LLC for $1.5 million.”