Huge Commercial Project in West Alton

[DaisyFlower]

You/your family may not use the school system, but it (school system) is one of the biggest factors in determining real estate value(s). You should ALWAYS support the school system.

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

You make good points but the vast majority of the budgets are for the schools and that is something that older people do not use.

I am a senior and pay over $20,000 per year in real estate taxes. Other than snow plowing I use very little of the town services. I have owned the current home for over 20 years have never needed the police or fire department, but it is nice to know they are there.

I spend winters in Florida so there is not much chance I will need those services, or any town services, for 6 months of the year. In my opinion the town is making a profit on me.

[dickiej]

If you have kids, your kids were educated by the contributions (real estate taxes) of others most likely. Public education is a social contract….like social security. It’s part of living in a cooperative society. Look closely at Scandinavian countries…they are the worlds happiest places ( even with long, cold winters) because they seriously take care of each other with basic standards of living.

[John Mercier]

Actually, the buyers being discussed are not looking at either the school system or the property tax rates in their search for property.

Alton and Gilford use two different school systems to my knowledge and have two very different tax rates.

The only difference that I have noted in this group is that they are coming by air rather than highway; or at least need easy access to the airport for business trips. I am guessing the drive from Manchester on Friday evenings must be brutal.

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

The only difference that I have noted in this group is that they are coming by air rather than highway; or at least need easy access to the airport for business trips. I am guessing the drive from Manchester on Friday evenings must be brutal.

If they're flying commercial I can see where driving up from Manchester might be a chore. However, if they have enough money they can probably use Net Jets and fly directly into Laconia if they're coming from some distance. If they live in the Boston area then a helicopter might make sense because then they can fly directly to the property and get there in less than an hour.

It all depends upon time - how much they're willing use to get there - and money - how much they're willing to spend to get there.

[John Mercier]

They aren't considering these second homes.

[Weekend Pundit]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

They aren't considering these second homes.

I don't think we can make that assumption. Yes, some will be primary residences but some will be second...or third...or fourth homes. Goodness knows we see that on Governor's Island.

[John Mercier]

Does Governor's Island even have ten plus acre lots?

[Descant]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

Does Governor's Island even have ten plus acre lots?

Sort of. The GIC owns a 47 acre parcel on Summit Ave that is in current use. I guess there could be other inland parcels.

[John Mercier]

But it isn't for sale and buildable is it?

[Descant]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

But it isn't for sale and buildable is it?

There are a number of houses on Summit Ave and around Governor's that are not shorefront. That parcel certainly isn't wetlands. Being owned by all the association members, it probably isn't for sale today. Summit Ave goes straight from the bridge up, up intro the middle of the island. The Gilford tax assessment database lists several properties on Summit Ave.

[John Mercier]

If they go up for sale...
I could probably find them a buyer.
As long as they don't carry too many covenants.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

But it isn't for sale and buildable is it?

Its most likely deeded common land for the association.

[TiltonBB]

The four variances are on the agenda for the June 6 ZBA meeting; should the developer achieve those variances, she will then submit her site plan for review by the Planning Board.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...ec697c2c5.html

[Little Bear]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

The four variances are on the agenda for the June 6 ZBA meeting; should the developer achieve those variances, she will then submit her site plan for review by the Planning Board.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...ec697c2c5.html

This looks like a public relations, damage control puff piece by the Daily Sun, written for the benefit of the owner and developer. They failed to mention that there is an application for a Special Exception for the Commercial Event Facility, which is much different and has a higher approval threshold than just a simple variance. Why didn't the reporter take the time to visit the surrounding neighborhoods of Alton and Gilford to get input from abutters, taxpayers and others that will be negatively impacted by this development?

Time to write letters to the editor of the Daily Sun.

[Descant]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

The four variances are on the agenda for the June 6 ZBA meeting; should the developer achieve those variances, she will then submit her site plan for review by the Planning Board.

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...ec697c2c5.html

Headquartered in Boston, Toast Inc (NASDAQ symbol TOST) was founded in 2011 and is capitalized at $14B+. NASADAQ is down a little today, but TOST was up 11.4% when I looked a few minutes ago.. Toast has a variety of software products for restaurant and hospitality management, so it appears they have expertise and funding to do a "fun" project in Alton. I would rather they rebuild Kimball's Castle than develop a rural zoned mountain top in Alton. Or buy the Laconia State School.

[John Mercier]

The problem with LSS, is that the State wants the full boat to cover the risks associated with the mix of historical and environmental negatives on the property. They also want some format of workforce housing in the proposal (not that easy to do with what Toast wants to do) and have encumbered the property with a permanent public access trail even beyond the road to the State park.

The property being proposed hasn't got all those issue with it.

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by Little Bear

This looks like a public relations, damage control puff piece by the Daily Sun, written for the benefit of the owner and developer. They failed to mention that there is an application for a Special Exception for the Commercial Event Facility, which is much different and has a higher approval threshold than just a simple variance. Why didn't the reporter take the time to visit the surrounding neighborhoods of Alton and Gilford to get input from abutters, taxpayers and others that will be negatively impacted by this development?

Time to write letters to the editor of the Daily Sun.

The Sun made no mention of the active opposition. The Facebook group that was created to counter this development now has over 1,000 members.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/700026178785409

Alan

[Little Bear]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

The problem with LSS, is that the State wants the full boat to cover the risks associated with the mix of historical and environmental negatives on the property. They also want some format of workforce housing in the proposal (not that easy to do with what Toast wants to do) and have encumbered the property with a permanent public access trail even beyond the road to the State park.

The property being proposed hasn't got all those issue with it.

But it does have a lot of fired-up abutters, neighbors and taxpayers in Alton and Gilford that are not going to roll over and play dead.

[Slickcraft]

Today I sent an email to Adam Drapcho who wrote the article in today's sun. He was not aware of the opposition. Adam would like to hear from any "opposition leader" and he would consider a follow up article. Adam is a balanced reporter and he was not aware of the opposition. So thoughtful replies are suggested.

His email: ad@laconiadailysun.com

Alan

[John Mercier]

I'm quite certain, but moving from one to the other doesn't really make sense.

And Laconia is going to need to find some land to satisfy HB1361

[Descant]

Originally Posted by John Mercier

I'm quite certain, but moving from one to the other doesn't really make sense.

And Laconia is going to need to find some land to satisfy HB1361

What am I missing? How is this discussion about rural zoning vs. commercial zoning on a mountain top related to developing trailer parks in Laconia? Plenty of places in Belmont.