Huge Commercial Project in West Alton

[dva]

The meeting is this Thursday @ 6 pm Town hall

[John Mercier]

They may be just looking to do a wedding destination... and fall under agribusiness.

[Little Bear]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

They may be just looking to do a wedding destination... and fall under agribusiness.

Way more than a wedding destination. Hopefully we get a significant turnout at tomorrow's zoning board meeting. 6:00pm at Alton Town Hall.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by Little Bear

Way more than a wedding destination. Hopefully we get a significant turnout at tomorrow's zoning board meeting. 6:00pm at Alton Town Hall.

Is their full proposal posted somewhere?

[neckdweller]

Originally Posted by codeman671

Is their full proposal posted somewhere?

I'm sure it's somewhere. Looks like there was a meeting in December with the planning board - https://www.alton.nh.gov/sites/defau...12-19-2023.pdf
and this was part of the minutes:

Proposal: Site Plan and Subdivision review for a Commercial Function Facility, Restaurant, and
196 multiple residences.
197
198 Chris Solomon, representative for the property owner, stated the lot is 150 acres and they want to
199 create a corporate retreat and event center; it would be a resort facility with a main lodge, guest
200 cottages and will be privately operated. He stated the center will have 18 luxury homes and
201 cottages; the goal will be to rent the entire facility; there will be a private gated entrance and the
202 facility will offer both sleeping and gathering spaces. Mr. Solomon stated there will be an onsite
203 shuttle service. He stated the property is on a hillside with panoramic views looking to Lake
204 Winnipesaukee; there will be wooded lots and they want to subdivide the lot into 20 individual
205 parcels, which will not be individually sold and rented with the entire facility. There will be a
206 road built to Town specifications. The houses will be single family homes with bathrooms,
207 bedrooms and kitchens, ranging from 1500 to 3,000 square feet in size. There will be a fire
208 cistern on the property; there will be sprinkler systems in the homes and meeting areas. There
209 will be solar panels installed on the property to support the electrical needs of the property. There
210 will be walking trails throughout the property; there will be various parking areas on the
211 property. There will be a main club house, tennis courts and a swimming pool.

Also looks like the manager of the LLC is a Jeremy Martin. Not sure if it's the same one that is the owner/founder of Lakes Region Design Group but that may make sense. Not sure who else is involved but I'm sure it's probably known around the area. I also found it interesting the LLC had a principle address at the old Mame's location.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by neckdweller

I'm sure it's somewhere. Looks like there was a meeting in December with the planning board - https://www.alton.nh.gov/sites/defau...12-19-2023.pdf
and this was part of the minutes:


Also looks like the manager of the LLC is a Jeremy Martin. Not sure if it's the same one that is the owner/founder of Lakes Region Design Group but that may make sense. Not sure who else is involved but I'm sure it's probably known around the area. I also found it interesting the LLC had a principle address at the old Mame's location.

Building a corporate retreat vs a regular housing development with ten acre minimums frees up design possibilities.

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by neckdweller

I'm sure it's somewhere. Looks like there was a meeting in December with the planning board - https://www.alton.nh.gov/sites/defau...12-19-2023.pdf
and this was part of the minutes:


Also looks like the manager of the LLC is a Jeremy Martin. Not sure if it's the same one that is the owner/founder of Lakes Region Design Group but that may make sense. Not sure who else is involved but I'm sure it's probably known around the area. I also found it interesting the LLC had a principle address at the old Mame's location.

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.)

[Weekend Pundit]

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.

[John Mercier]

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.

[Lakeboater]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

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.

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

[John Mercier]

Just off from 11A Cherry Valley Road.

[Descant]

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

[Lakeboater]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Just off from 11A Cherry Valley Road.

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

[John Mercier]

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.

[nj2nh]

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 Mercier]

Originally Posted by nj2nh

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.

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.

[Little Bear]

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.

[gravy boat]

Originally Posted by Little Bear

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.

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

[TomC]

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...

[Lakeboater]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

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.

John, thank you for the clarification. Appreciate it!

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

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.

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.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by Weekend Pundit

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.

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.

[Trail Goer]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

They may be just looking to do a wedding destination... and fall under agribusiness.

You mean like a winery!? Oh hell, if that's their ticket to punch this development through as being agricultural, then s**t!

[John Mercier]

Actually a winery is agribusiness.

[Mr. V]

A winery?

Wrong climate for growing good grapes.

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by Mr. V

A winery?

Wrong climate for growing good grapes.

Gilmanton has a winery and vineyard. It seems to be doing OK.
Of course they only have 9 acres and about 700 vines.

But you can ferment lots of fruit into wine... achieving the right texture and taste seems to be the skill.