Planning and Zoning Commission — June 15, 2026
Manchester P&Z split 7-2 and 6-3 on rezoning and firewood amendment opposed by residents citing noise and 2012 denial.
Strong resident turnout and near-unanimous opposition to the Chirico rezoning and firewood amendment produced the only split votes of the evening.
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At its June 15 meeting, Manchester's Planning and Zoning Commission recorded its only split votes on items tied to 571/599 Porter Street. A 7-2 roll call closed the public hearing on the AA-to-RR zone change. A 6-3 vote continued the text amendment that would allow firewood processing and sales as a special exception in the RR zone.
Twelve residents spoke against both proposals. They cited ongoing industrial noise, prior zoning violations, tree removal, and the absence of changed conditions since the commission denied a similar request in 2012. One speaker supported the business. The board heard the comments but took no immediate action to deny the applications.
All other matters that night, including approvals for a cold-storage building and a medical clinic rezoning, passed 9-0 or 8-0 with 1 abstention. The Chirico-related items return for further discussion on July 6.
Public impact
Potential introduction of regulated industrial-scale firewood operations on residential lots meeting new lot-size and area-cap standards
Hearing continued 6-3 to July 6 for revised draft language.
Applicant to submit revisions; commission to resume discussion at July 6 regular meeting.
Topics discussed
Engineer presented plans for a 50x70 ft unheated prefab steel storage building at 140 Progress Drive within the 100-ft upland review area; commission reviewed wetlands and special exception impacts.
Both the Inland Wetlands Permit 30-2026 and Special Exception Modification 48-2026 approved 9-0; approvals based on no significant wetland impact and consistency with special-exception criteria.
Any future utility work reviewed administratively by staff or returned to commission as a modification.
Chair confirmed attendance of nine seated members (including alternate Margaret Brewer) and outlined agenda order to accommodate prior continuances.
Margaret Brewer seated for all items; Arianna Larson observing; eight full members seated.
Public hearing continued on application to rezone 571 and 599 Porter Street from AA to RR (with applicant-offered amendment carving out a portion along Hickory Lane to remain AA). Multiple residents opposed the rezoning, citing ongoing industrial noise from firewood processing, past zoning violations, 2012 denial of similar request, and lack of changed conditions; one speaker supported the business as locally beneficial. Commissioners and applicant attorney examined adjusting the proposed RR boundary to provide additional AA buffer for the house at 32 Hickory Lane while still accommodating existing farm uses.
Hearing opened and public comment begun; board voted to close the public hearing on the AA-to-RR zone change (item 0062026) by 7-2 roll call. No decision reached on the zone change itself.
Public hearing to continue; commission will consider full record and POCD consistency before vote. Any line adjustment would be considered during deliberations after the hearing closes.
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Applicant revised proposal from permitted accessory use to special-exception use, adding minimum lot size, 25% area cap, and case-by-case review requirements. Discussion covered classification of the use, special exception criteria, broader regulatory consistency and scale concerns, and public opposition.
Hearing opened; no consensus reached on specific language. Commission expressed discomfort with shoehorning the use without broader regulation review. Multiple motions to continue or close failed until a successful motion passed 6-3 to continue amendment 27-2026.
Applicant attorney offered to submit revised draft incorporating feedback; commission indicated need for further discussion before any vote. Hearing continued to July 6 regular meeting for applicant revisions and responses.
Application to rezone B5 property to CUD to permit medical clinic use within existing retail building.
Public hearing closed unanimously.
To be voted on later in meeting or at future business session.
Proposed map and regulation amendments to split single Historic zone into separate SM and FM districts. Discussion of proposed separation, concerns over expanded permitted uses in family mansions, and recommendation to remove dormitories as a permitted use.
Board acknowledged concerns and agreed to modify the proposal by striking dormitory as a permitted use from family mansion area; confirmed no substantive use changes had been made since June of prior year. Public hearing closed unanimously.
Item advanced to formal vote later in meeting. Hearing to continue with remaining items.
Review of proposed acquisition of cross-easements at 296 Broad Street to facilitate Broad Street Parkade redevelopment.
Favorable report issued unanimously (9-0).
Board of Directors to act on July 6, 2026.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Chirico property AA-to-RR zone change and firewood processing text amendment
Split votes
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Member positions
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”
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grok-4.3, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning · analyzed 2026-06-21.
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