Off-Road Test Track Gets Green Light from BOA

Bournival Jeep President Alissa Bournival received a variance from the Board of Adjustment on Tuesday night, which brings her one step closer to adding an off-road test track next to the dealership.

The zoning board unanimously approved Bournival's application following a presentation by Attorney Sharon Somers of the Donahue and Tucker law firm in Portsmouth.

“The entire path way will be fenced in,” she said.

She added that there will be no rallies or other uses for this property. It is just intended to give someone “a sense as to what it’s like to drive one these things,” Somers said.

According to city documents, Bournival wants to build a four-wheel drive course for SUVs on a lot adjacent to their business. Many of the vehicles they sell, including the 2013 Jeep Compass, Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Jeep Wrangler models offer off-road driving.

The dealership sells vehicles that have the capability to go off road, and customers want to be able to test drive them before they buy. If approved, the test drive course would enable Bournival to offer this additional level of service.

Ralph Siegel, the owner of the only building that abuts the dealership on Lafayette Road and the former Ralph’s Truck Sales, told the board he thought it was a good idea that would benefit the dealership as well as improve public safety for people who are learning how to drive jeep vehicles.

Zoning board member Robin Rousseau made the motion to approve the variance.

“It seems like a simple variance request,” she said. “It certainly will not change the character of the surrounding neighborhood and I guess it is off the beaten path."

Bournival said that adding the off-road test drive area will definitely help her dealership's sales. She said it will also make Bournival Jeep just one of eight dealerships nationwide to have such a facility.