Hampton Plans to Up Beach Building Height Limit

Hampton officials say the town's height restrictions must change in order for Hampton Beach to continue to thrive, although officials don't want to decide on how high they're willing to go without speaking extensively with the public.

The Hampton Planning Board will propose a warrant article next spring that calls for an increase in the current 50-foot maximum permitted height. Before a new threshold is chosen, though, the board wants to ask for any and all public input during a special Town Hall forum at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

Building height has been a controversial beach issue over the past couple of years due a proposal for a 100-foot-tall, eight-story A Block contel project, as well as the now-completed Sea Spray Condominiums. 

Vice Chairman Brendan McNamara said he and the board haven't yet decided what the new height should be, which is why he hopes for a packed selectmen's meeting room for the forum — "even if it's all negative" opinions from the public.

"What we're trying to do [to enhance the economic viability of Hampton Beach], we have no choice but to change the heigh restrictions," said McNamara, adding that in the current climate many developers have to build larger buildings — which he said bring more tax dollars to Hampton — in order to get their desired overall return on their investment. "We have to build for the future." 

Hampton last tried to raise the height limit five years ago, although the warrant article was defeated. McNamara said it failed because "so many things were attached to it" that had "nothing to do" with the issue, making it difficult for voters to understand and fully support.

That's why his board is seeking a healthy dose of public discussion. McNamara said it will greatly help his board begin the work on drafting their warrant article during a work session planned for the week after the forum.

"We don't want to put something on the ballot that is going to be defeated," he said. "[The forum is designed] so we do it with as much public input as possible. The more input we get, the less chance we have of it getting blown of the water. We'll sit there as long as they want [and listen]."

Changing the height regulations doesn't mean developers will have carte blanche to come in and pack Ocean Boulevard with miniature skyscrapers, though, according to McNamara.

One proposal is for the article to only increase the height limit in the portion of Hampton Beach between Ashworth Avenue and F Street, but the targeted area could be larger or smaller. Regardless of the size and scope of the changes, McNamara said his board will continue to "look at everything under a microscope" before even considering the approval of a project or permit.

"Nothing just gets rushed through," he said.