Massive A Block Contel Project Rejected

[Story originally posted at 5:30 a.m.]


A controversial eight-story Hampton Beach rental project ultimately failed to gain necessary approval from the Hampton Zoning Board on Thursday following a three-hour debate about the town's building height limits.

The board voted 4-1 Thursday night to deny a variance for Green and Co.'s revised 89-foot-tall A Block contel proposal, which drew a standing-room-only crowd to Town Hall. 

Board member Tom McGuirk said granting an exemption this large — even though the new proposal came in 11 feet shorter than the original plans — would've been unfair to nearby lots and developers because it would put them at an "economic disadvantage." 

"It was important that what [Green and Co. sought to do], the abutting lots would [have to] be able to do. Which would never happen," said McGuirk in a statement, adding that an 89-foot-tall building "could not be" built on a "traditional" 50-foot-by-100-foot beach lot. "The inequity infringed on other property owners' rights to develop their land in a fair and just manner."

In recent months, the contel proposal had generated a sizable amount of opposition and debate over building height and the vision for Hampton Beach's future, so much so that a special forum is coming up to gather input about whether the town should increase the 50-foot height restriction outlined in the town's ordinances.

That said, selectmen did recently grant approval for the 65-foot-tall Sea Spray Condominiums — also developed by Green and Co. — while setting 65 feet as their unofficial height limit. There were some concerns about going above the town meeting-set limit in this way, though, which is why officials plan to fully explore whether locals feel 50 feet is outdated.

McGuirk said a town meeting vote of any kind in regard in building height is something Hampton "definitely" needs in 2014, and he said such a vote — in combination with Thursday's decision — "would send a line in the sand for developers."

Bryan Provencal, acting as chairman Thursday because Vic Lessard was absent, was the sole zoning board member to vote in favor of Green and Co.'s 89-foot-tall proposal on Thursday.

Bill O'Brien and McGuirk each proposed Thursday various numbers for potential new height limits, with each stating they'd like to see 65 feet set as the new maximum height for the livable portions of any proposed building.

Those so-called livable portions don't include overrides and other architectural features, which are factors that generated controversy during the Sea Spray discussions.

McGuirk said these additional features are typically about 10 feet tall, which in combination with a 65-foot limit would help Hampton Beach avoid the "high-rise construction" codes that kick in once a structure surpasses 75 feet.

Other board members deferred those decisions and discussions to the Hampton Planning Board, which is leading the building height warrant article forum at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23.