Height Puts the Brakes on New 4-Story Beach Development

The developer behind a four-story mixed use building for 1 Ocean Blvd. withdrew its application Thursday night after the project was met with resistance from the Hampton Zoning Board.

The project requires 10 different variances, including one for height because the proposed structure is taller than what is permitted within the town's "General" zone, which is where the lot is located.

The height of the building, like several Hampton Beach projects before it, was what zoning board members were most hesitant about Thursday while expressing a reluctance to approve the proposal.

Donik Corp. withdrew its application without prejudice, and the company is expected to rework the proposal and come back before the board in the near future. 

The 1 Ocean Blvd. lot currently features several structures and businesses, including Al Gauron Luncheonette and Al Gauron Deep Sea Fishing and Whale Watching. 

Donik Corp. is looking to raze those structures and construct a new home for those businesses within a single, modern building that has commercial space on the first floor and 12 total residential units on the three floors above them.

The Hampton Zoning Board also reviewed variance requests Thursday night from Bernie's Beach Bar in regard to that business expanding its deck, although the applicant also withdrew without prejudice because there weren't enough voting members of the five-member board present.

Tom McGuirk recuses himself for any applications regarding an Ocean Boulevard restaurant because he owns one — McGuirk's Ocean View — while Ed St. Pierre recused himself for personal reasons. The board's new chairman, Bryan Provencal, also recused himself because he does business with Bernie's owner Al Fleury.