Huge Commercial Project in West Alton
 

Hi all,

Long time lurker, but first time posting. I'm too old to figure out these types of things, so my granddaughter was kind enough to help me figure out how to set up and post on this forum.

The reason for coming here is to make the property owners and residents of West Alton and adjacent areas in Gilford aware of a massive commercial development project that has been submitted to the Town of Alton. This is going to be done on a 140 acre parcel that has its road frontage on Rt. 11A. This parcel has a boundary with the Town of Gilford. The parcel's north boundary sits on top of a high hill (or small mountain) that can be seen from Lake Winnipesaukee. If you are in a boat out near Diamond Island looking to the south, you can see this hill that has 2 houses on the side of the hill. The top of this hill was cleared a few years ago. This clearing on top of the hill is part of the 140 acres that is being developed.

The plans show that they want to build a huge event center at the top of the hill, which will be visible from a lot of Lake Winnipesaukee, and especially from the south side of Diamond Island, Welch Island Rattlesnake Island, Sleepers Island and Mount Major. It will also be visible from the Ames Farm area of Gilford. From the opposite side, this will be visible from many areas in Gilford, especially from the Belknap Range and from residential properties in that general area. In addition to the event center, the plans show that there will be parking lots, an amphitheater where there will presumably be bands playing, a ring lawn with covered pavilion, a huge estate home where wedding guests will be allowed to stay, along with a possible helicopter pad.

Further to the south of the parcel, there will be more parking lots for cars and buses, a clubhouse, pickleball courts, a sledding hill and playground. Finally, on the southernmost portion of the parcel, they will be building 20 houses that will be used for short term rentals. All of this is taking place in the Rural Zoning District of Alton, and will require a lot of variances and special exceptions to be granted by the Alton Zoning and Planning Boards. I don't have any experience with these zoning and planning boards, so I don't know what the chances of this being approved are.

What I do know is that this project will have a major impact to the area. The light pollution and music coming from the amphitheater will be heard for miles around the area, especially since this is sitting on top of a hill. I assume that they will want to launch fireworks off 7 days a week during the spring, summer and fall, so who wants to listen to this all the time. Property values in the vicinity will be seriously effected, because peace and quiet will no longer be a reality.

If you are a property owner in the vicinity of this proposed development, and you don't want to see your property value diminished and your peace and quiet taken away, please consider writing to the Town of Alton Zoning and planning board and urge them to reject this project. I'm sure once it's finished, they will sell out to Marriott or some other large corporate entity and expansion will be assured. You can count on another Bank of NH Pavilion and large hotel being next on the list. This will be a very slippery slope.

It's beyond my comprehension that the Town of Alton would allow this type of development to destroy the rural, quiet charm of Alton and also destroy the values of properties in the area. But when out of staters show up with deep pockets and hungry lawyers, this is the result. Again, if you are against this type of development in a residential area, please write to the Town of Alton or attend the Zoning and Planning Board meetings to express your concerns.

There is a Facebook group called Cherry Valley Development Alton/Gilford where you can find out more information.

Thank you for listening.

WAJ

Alton development
 

This is not what most people would want in there back yard. That's not why most people move to NH

Do you know what the land in question is zoned for?

I live in the neighborhood. It’s zoned under the “rural” category in Alton. I’m organizing an opposition to this.

Thanks for posting this.

Sorry I don't live in that town, so maybe the meaning is different, but I thought rural zoning was for agricultural use only? How can they get approval for a convention center without changing the zoning? I know people ask for zoning variances all the time but that's a big variance. Is the property pending sale based on this approval or is it the current owner that wants to build the convention center?

It's the current owner that wants to build this commercial development. The property sold to these people in late 2022.

Another strange twist to this is that the abutting parcel to the east of this parcel (almost 90 acres) is owned by the infamous owner of West Alton Marina.

Aerial view
 

Would someone with knowledge of the parcel location/property lines be able to post a Google Earth or equivalent aerial view?

Thanks

It will take a strong Planning Board to prevent this from happening.The Planning Board will have to come out against this change I do not envy them this wont be easy.
The vote to change the zoning is ultimately up to the voters in the town. Please hold your ground and don’t let this happen.

Assessor map screenshot attached.

Here are a couple of images showing the general location. The yellow outline is not an accurate representation of the boundary lines. It only shows the general location of this parcel. The red outline shows the actual boundary lines.

Unfortunately, the money usually wins. Hoping that the folks of Alton can prevail on this one. That would be a real blight to the region.

But, hey, "progress." :(

This shows the abutting 87 acre parcel owned by the West Alton Marina guy. I can only assume that this is ripe for the picking given his legal situation.

I was doing some digging and noted the abutting parcel owners as well. Could be a play for sure, especially being that Brian is soon to be sentenced.

Its a bit south of us, we may be able to see it from our lower driveway depending on orientation, but its pretty far off and will be up the hillside. We won't see it from the house. Awful close to the place for sale on Anthony Ave and the homes on Hermit.

I hope that Alton stands up and fights this. Being that it was purchased by a hospitality group entity I am sure they already did plenty of work on this already.

... and no doubt have an army of highly-paid attorneys on the job. :mad:

Alton meeting
 

The meeting is this Thursday @ 6 pm Town hall

They may be just looking to do a wedding destination... and fall under agribusiness.

Way more than a wedding destination. Hopefully we get a significant turnout at tomorrow's zoning board meeting. 6:00pm at Alton Town Hall.

You mean like a winery!? Oh hell, if that's their ticket to punch this development through as being agricultural, then s**t!

Actually a winery is agribusiness.

A winery?

Wrong climate for growing good grapes.

Is their full proposal posted somewhere?

...money...money...money...money...money...money.. .money...money...
 

When has "peace and quiet" trumped money?

:confused:

I'm sure it's somewhere. Looks like there was a meeting in December with the planning board - https://www.alton.nh.gov/sites/defau...12-19-2023.pdf
and this was part of the minutes:
Also looks like the manager of the LLC is a Jeremy Martin. Not sure if it's the same one that is the owner/founder of Lakes Region Design Group but that may make sense. Not sure who else is involved but I'm sure it's probably known around the area. I also found it interesting the LLC had a principle address at the old Mame's location.

Gilmanton has a winery and vineyard. It seems to be doing OK.
Of course they only have 9 acres and about 700 vines.

But you can ferment lots of fruit into wine... achieving the right texture and taste seems to be the skill.

Building a corporate retreat vs a regular housing development with ten acre minimums frees up design possibilities.

Alton development
 

There was a good turn out last night at the meeting. Looks like people are very concerned. It is great to see people like Alton the way it is!

The natives are awake and restless now. And yes, it’s great to see the support from all surrounding areas. Nobody wants this in their backyard.

Thinking about this from a business sense, something doesn't add up. The costs to build this monstrosity would be huge and I am failing to see how it would bring in that much revenue to cover it. It makes me wonder if there is truly a different "end game" in mind that hasn't come to light yet.

Spot on, Codeman. Something smells like dead fish, and it’s not coming from the lake. Hopefully Toto will pull back the curtain so we can see who the wizard really is. Classic case of smoke and mirrors to obscure the real agenda. The abutters, neighbors and residents of Alton & Gilford will have to keep the pressure on the zoning and planning boards to make sure that they make fair and appropriate decisions.

Agree
 

I agree 100%….this one needs to be watched / stopped!

Dan

I was wondering about a loop hole.
Could they lease it to a corporation as a retreat... but the corporation sub-lease it to others?

I can sort of see what they are up to, as a regular development of the property under existing zoning concepts would not allow for as many housing units, and certainly not all the sub-categories that they are embedding.

Legacy has the same problem... too much dream for the actual land.

They’re trying to change the zoning to something called “flexible zoning”, which would help this project move forward. The bark has to be peeled back so we can expose the true motivation and end game of these people.

Was there any discussion about permitted uses in the rural zone? Compliance with zoning? Special exceptions?

Unfortunately I am out of state and could not make the meeting. My wife and I are familiar with the property having hiked to the top after it was clear cut. Expansive views of the Belknap Range and of the lake. Meaning that whatever is built up there can be seen from over a wide range.

Alan

That would be a good location for a high end housing development, and also for a casino / hotel.

A casino / hotel would arguably enhance the profitability of Gunstock as well.

But the hoops the developer must jump through: my oh my.

Interesting game afoot there on the hillside.

The plan is high end housing that will be used as a type of hotel.
Casinos in NH tend to not be highly profitable.

Llc
 

I believe that IF Jeremy Martin is involved It will be a very tastefully done project as everything he does is very nice with attention to details

Infrastructure
 

Knowing little about the proposed project (which I would be against) first brings to mind some more basic questions about that area of West Alton.

- Could Cherry Valley Road (11A) even handle the short term increase in heavy equipment traffic this project will bring and who would pay for the road repairs in the end

- Could Cherry Valley Rd handle the long term increase in vehicle traffic

- Would this project ultimately lead to never ending traffic jams

- Is Cherry Valley Rd capable of having turn lanes etc that will be needed long term to alleviate traffic problems

- Will the town (the tax payers ) be required to install traffic lights at Mt Major Highway (Rte 11) and Cherry Valley Rd to handle inflow/outflow of traffic

I just see the town and ultimately the tax payers paying the price for this project and the headaches that will come with it

Just a few thoughts

The Zoning Board continued the meeting until March 7th. Apparently someone is trying to change the zoning to some kind of “Flexible Zoning” specifically for this project. I don’t know exactly what this is about but will research and post about it when I get more information.

The proposal shouldn't change traffic more than if he just made it house lots for sale.