ZBA Approves Variance Requests for Major Range Road Development

A major business renovation and corresponding historic building relocation project was granted several variances by the Windham Zoning Board of Adjustment Tuesday, the majority of which were related to wetland impacts.

The board voted 5-0 to grant seven variances for three different lots.

The Naults Windham Motorcycles property sits on two of those lots, which would be merged as part of the project. The business has plans to expand its showroom, but a historic building on the property needs to slide over to accommodate the project.

To slide the building, Common Man owner Alex Ray is also brought into the mix. Should the project pass, the property that he owns across from Edgewood Road would feature the old home, known as the "Crucius' home. The house has stood since the mid-1700s.

The project is unique due to the expected New Hampshire Department of Transportation work in the area, which will see the new Route 111a built behind where the Naults facility is current situated. The expansion project develops a sizable showroom and also flips the building to face that new road.

The new Route 111a will be completed along with a new Route 111 by 2016.

For master planning purposes, the historic building on Ray's property would be dressed up with parking and serve as an entrance to a possible future development further down the road.

Presently, Woof Woof Professional Dog Services is located back on the state-owned land. The business has a lease agreement with the state.

Several board members cited the wetland impacts that the NHDOT work will create anyway as a basis for their approval of the variances.

Filling of wetlands by the NHDOT was created as a condition of the approval.

Board Chairman Mark Samsel called the presentation "very clear" and "very well presented."

Manchester Atty. John Cronin, who spoke on behalf of both applicants, noted the uniqueness of the state work in the area.

"The configuration of those particular sites will change dramatically as this new roadway system is put into place," he said.

According to Windham civil engineer Karl Dubay, who presented the project to the board members, the project has also received the blessing of the Conservation Commission and Historic District/Heritage Commission.

Other variances requested included the allowance of septic systems on both the Naults property and Ray's property and the inclusion of impervious driveways. The three parcels are located at 60 Range Road, 64 Range Road and 70 Range Road.

When the project was first heard by the Windham Planning Board in May 2012, Dubay said that the NHDOT was also working with Klemm's Mobil and the Country Shoppes plaza to establish an interconnected driveway between all businesses.

Dubay also briefly explained the thoughts brewing on the state-owned land. He said that Ray has big development ambitions, which could include a possible "Common Man Village with a small inn or tavern.