| Try, try again. Concord Monitor, Thur, July 30, 1998 Members of the Gilford Planning Board rejected a request by Historic Inns of New England Tuesday to allow an addition to Kimball's Castle that would violate town zoning laws. The castle lies off Lockes Hill Road. Gilford zoning laws limit building heights to 35 feet, but the proposed addition would extend 8 to 9 feet above that, said John Bobula, the town's director of planning and land use. To gain a variance, or exception, from zoning laws, applicants must satisfy five criteria, of which the most difficult to prove is "hardship," Bobula said. At the meeting, the company's architect presented his plan to the board, which moved to deny the application. Although the motion by board member William Morrison was seconded by Larry Ruthier, the motion was withdrawn. The board moved to continue the meeting August 18 to allow the town of Gilford, the castle's owner, to make a presentation. Historic Inns has made the 20,000-square-foot addition a condition of its purchase of the castle. Bobula said the company plans to renovate the building and use it as an inn, and use the proposed addition for more guest rooms and a restaurant. The town has owned the castle since the 1960's.
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©2004 Peter K Kimball |