Your area Not set — showing everywhere
Issue · Exeter, NH

Jali/Calley Associates Hotel Development

22-room hotel on small lot raises traffic safety, easement and neighborhood impact issues.

Overview

A 22-room micro-hotel proposed by Jali/Calley Associates on a former dry-cleaning site has been under Planning Board review since March 2026. Multiple continuances have occurred due to notification issues and unresolved traffic and easement disputes with abutters. The board last tabled the matter on May 28, 2026 to permit further negotiations.

Background

The Jali/Calley Associates hotel proposal first surfaced as a site plan review for a 22-room micro-hotel on the site of a former dry cleaning building.

At the March 26, 2026 planning board meeting the board accepted the application as materially different from a prior version but tabled it to correct an abutter notification error.

The April 23, 2026 hearing featured extensive public comment on traffic routing through an abutter's drive-thru, easement conflicts, and similarity to the earlier denied plan, after which the board continued the matter.

On May 14, 2026 the board again tabled the case to ensure proper notice to an abutter.

The May 28, 2026 continuation produced debate over loading-zone waivers, parking reconfiguration that would alter an abutter's mulch bed and curb, and traffic-flow modifications; the board ultimately tabled the application to June 11, 2026 to allow the applicant time to negotiate with the abutter.

Opposition from Needham Bank and Exeter Commons has centered on safety hazards and lack of easement agreements, while the applicant has maintained that the plan is legally compliant and materially distinct from the prior submission.

Nearby residents have raised additional concerns about noise, security, and impacts on elderly neighbors at MLAN Manor.

The matter remains under active consideration with no final vote taken.

How it unfolded
Board accepted the J. Kelly and Associates site plan application as materially different from the previous one but tabled it to the April 23 meeting to allow proper re-notification of an abutter.
2026-03-26Planning Board
Hearing opened on the J. Calley Associates 22-room hotel proposal; public comments addressed traffic safety, easements, and similarity to a previously denied application; hearing continued to May 14.
2026-04-23Planning Board
Board tabled Case 26-3 to May 28 to accommodate an abutter who had not been properly noticed.
2026-05-14Planning Board
Continued hearing on Application 26-3; board debated loading-zone waiver and traffic reconfiguration affecting an abutter's property; application tabled to June 11 to allow negotiations with the abutter.
2026-05-28Planning Board
Arguments in favor
The application is materially different from the previously denied proposal.
planning-board 2026-04-23
For
Projected trip generation for the limited-service hotel is comparable to or lower than the existing commercial use.
planning-board 2026-04-23
For
Access routes and easements are legally compliant.
planning-board 2026-04-23
For
Arguments against
The plan creates increased traffic hazards by routing hotel traffic and trucks through the Needham Bank drive-thru.
planning-board 2026-04-23
Against
The proposal relies on modifying an abutter's mulch bed and curb without any agreement and may violate existing easements.
planning-board 2026-05-28
Against
The development would generate constant traffic and noise that harms the quality of life for elderly residents at the adjacent complex.
planning-board 2026-05-28
Against
The current configuration conflicts with historical community efforts to prevent crisscrossing traffic patterns.
planning-board 2026-05-28
Against
Key voices
“The proposed plan is worse than the previously denied application due to increased hazards and risks; there is no agreement regarding the impact on the adjacent property and easements.”
Representing Needham Bankplanning-board 2026-05-28
“The application is opposed in its current configuration regarding easements and the potential for use creep; it relies on traffic patterns that conflict with historical community efforts.”
Representing Exeter Commonsplanning-board 2026-05-28
“The transient nature of hotel guests could impact community security and accountability; noise would affect elderly residents at the adjacent complex.”
Residentplanning-board 2026-05-28
What's next

Hearing continued to June 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM

jali associatesj calley associateshotelsite plan review