Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Hooksett Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) met on the evening of October 13, 2026. Members present included Chair Stellmack, Tom Chestnard, Matthew St. Pierre, and Richard Merham. Town Council representative Tim was also present. No formal agenda or minutes were available outside of the meeting transcript. The board approved the amended minutes of its September 1st meeting and proceeded to hear several applications.
1. Extension of Special Exception (Z24-18, Michael Paquette, 65 Farmer Road) Michael Paquette requested a one-year extension of his special exception, citing good cause: the project is awaiting state DES permits for a community well and recently received planning board approval. The board unanimously granted the one-year extension.
2. Variance Application (Z26-19, 192 Londonderry Turnpike, Petori Family Trust) Represented by Joe Gagnon of Verani Realty, the applicant proposed installing three 10,000-gallon fuel tanks for a delivery business, requiring a variance as the use is not permitted by right anywhere in town. The applicant presented a property value analysis showing similar nearby facilities did not negatively impact residential property values. The board engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding the hardship criterion, with members expressing difficulty in identifying unique physical characteristics of the land that warrant the variance. Following a request from the board and input from abutter John Buller, the public hearing was continued to November 10, 2026, to allow for a site walk on October 24, 2026.
3. Variance Application (Z26-28, 14 Central Park Drive, Merchants Fleet) Attorney Ernie Silk and employee Cole Mills sought a variance to allow an automobile dealership use. The variance was required strictly to satisfy state licensing for their existing office and fleet leasing operations. The board's main concern was that a grant of this variance could allow a future tenant or owner to open a full dealership on the site. To resolve this, the variance was strictly conditioned to limit use to the disposal of retired lease vehicles, prohibit on-site vehicle display or storage, and make this condition run with the land. The board found the hardship criterion met due to the property's unique layout (no direct frontage, private access road). The variance was granted unanimously.
4. Administrative Appeal (Z26-22, 14 Highland Street, Daniel Barker) Daniel Barker requested a continuance to ensure a full five-member board could hear his appeal, given only four members were present. The board granted the continuance to November 10, 2026.
5. Variance Application (Z26-30, 18K Avenue, Sean Minard) Sean Minard and his surveyor Tom Hewitt requested a variance from the front building setback to add an 840-square-foot addition to their home. The family, who has lived there for 28 years, needs the addition to care for their adult son with special needs and to age in place. The existing house is already non-conforming, and expansion to the rear is prevented by existing structures. Board member Matthew St. Pierre presented findings that the lot's constrained dimensions and pre-existing conditions created an unnecessary hardship. The board voted unanimously to grant the variance.
6. Variance Application (Z26-31, 313 Commerce Drive, Walmart) Matt Varanges of Colliers Engineering presented Walmart's request for a variance to allow four permanent and up to 20 seasonal portable storage containers, far exceeding the one-container limit. The need is driven by overflow inventory for seasonal sales and a new online pickup expansion. The board extensively analyzed the hardship criterion, with multiple members stating they could not distinguish Walmart's lot from neighboring similar big-box stores (e.g., Target, Home Depot) and determined the need was based on business economics rather than a unique physical characteristic of the property. The spirit of the ordinance (providing for temporary storage) was also noted as a significant conflict. A motion to deny the variance due to a lack of hardship was made and seconded. However, the board opted to reopen the public hearing and continue the case to November 10, 2026, giving the applicant an opportunity to submit new information or an alternative plan.
Oh, just the updated rules, but I I can print them out. Not a second, but oh yeah. That's fine. That'd be great. Thanks. Huh? That'd be helpful. Laminated? What do you rate? Uh like an auditor. Just the first page. Do you have an at home laminator? Yeah, of course. Wait, you have it. Yeah. Nice. And I can print plan sets like this too. That's impressive. We get some cool tools. All right. So yeah, I gotta have I got changes on the minutes. And it's out of the order. Well, I kinda took the summer office. Sorry. We have no one to replace you. There's the computer. Sorry, I didn't say that. I saw there's a long one, Jack. That's just Walmart alone. Yeah. Yeah, okay, because it won't be console. No, but we'll get out of here by nine. All right. Yeah. We're gonna move it right along. Move it right along. All right, you all set Dana? I'm good, you're on. All right. Good evening.