Developers Withdraw 100-Foot-Tall Contel Proposal

The developers behind a 100-foot-tall contel project for Hampton Beach's A Block have decided to seek town meeting approval for their proposal after they were met with more opposition Thursday.

Green and Co. Building and Development Corporation withdraw their application for a zoning variance for the structure Thursday night after it became clear during a lengthy Hampton Zoning Board meeting that the majority of the board wasn't in favor of the proposal.

The eight-story, 56-unit structure would be built upon the burned-down former site of the Surf Hotel and Happy Hampton Arcade.

Many residents and public officials have voiced opposition to the structure because it would dwarf surrounding buildings as well as the town's building height restrictions.

Others have been vocal in their support of the contel, including the Hampton Beach Area Commission, which recently changed its stance and decided to back the project.

Before Thursday night's withdrawal, town officials publicly discussed the possibility that the developers could seek town meeting approval, although many of those officials said the town shouldn't have to reaffirm a height limit when it already has a strong vote on the books.

"It doesn’t matter how old it is, or when the vote was taken," Selectman Mary-Louise Woolsey said on Monday. "That is the decision."

Some officials, including Selectman Mike Plouffe, have urged the town to proceed carefully with the proposal and to seek new town meeting approval before approving anything that may run counter to the public's desires for Hampton Beach.

"I'd hate to rush and have the community suffer with this for a long, long time," said Plouffe, who also stated Monday that "change" is needed at the beach. "I think we should go slow."


Would you support the 100-foot-tall contel project at town meeting, or would it first need to be changed in some way? Why or why not? Please tell us in the comments.