David Grant

North Conway's Construction

North Conway in Conway, New Hampshire, is experiencing a significant boom in commercial construction. Despite the town's one-year commercial moratorium on buildings over 50,000 square feet or hotels, which was approved by voters in April, ongoing projects were granted approval before the moratorium was enacted. Projects include the Ridgeline Community development, the construction of a Cambria hotel, a Hilton Garden Inn, a retail complex, and the completion of a Market Basket store. Additionally, plans for a Tractor Supply Co. store, rental housing, and affordable housing projects are in the works.

The construction activity extends beyond North Conway. In Intervale, Ledge View Lodges is building 19 single-family homes, while in Jackson, the Wentworth Inn is undergoing upgrades after being purchased by Atlantic Equity Partners. Attitash Mountain Resort is replacing its summit chair with a high-speed quad for the upcoming season. The town of Conway has seen a significant increase in commercial permits, with construction costs estimated at $19,199,444 this year.

The commercial moratorium was implemented to allow the town's planning board to update the neglected master plan. The goal is to finish this process by January 2024 and subsequently update zoning ordinances. However, the moratorium has affected some projects, such as the planned revamping and expansion of the Yankee Clipper Motor Inn. Local construction experts are amazed by the current level of growth and commercial construction in the area. Residential construction is also expected to catch up, as there are still many residential permit applications being processed.

Despite the moratorium, the construction activity in Conway and the surrounding areas remains robust. The completion of ongoing projects and the approval of new ones will contribute to the town's commercial and residential development.

More details in this story from the Conway Daily Sun

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NH Supreme Court Rules that STRs are allowed in Conway by current definition

Click here to see a copy of the ruling

On Tuesday, May 2, the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled in favor of short-term rental owner Scott Kudrick, allowing owners to continue renting properties, at least until the town of Conway decides to regulate them. The case centered on whether non-owner-occupied short-term rentals are permitted in residential districts under the Conway Zoning Ordinance. In January 2022, a county superior court judge ruled that short-term rentals fit within the definition of "residential dwelling unit" and did not need to be owner-occupied in residential zones. The recent New Hampshire Supreme Court ruling upheld this decision, stating that the language of Conway's ordinance did not clearly address short-term rentals and that it was up to the legislature and municipal authorities, not the courts, to consider any policy concerns related to short-term rentals. The town of Conway had previously filed for a declaratory judgment against Kudrick, arguing that "living as a household" required a level of stability in occupying a residential dwelling unit, but the court disagreed. The recent town vote to change a definition central to the case is also unclear in terms of its implications for short-term rentals. The town has been moving toward regulating short-term rentals in commercial zones for several months and has approved funds to expand the building department to allow licensing of short-term rentals and inspections of property.

 

Jackson STR rules that are hard to enforce....

From the Conway Daily Sun, the town of Jackson is going to ask owners (with permits that require it) to supply a log of their rental activity so the town can make sure those owners are not exceeding 30 rentals per year.  I am a fan of occupancy restrictions because they are helpful & easy to monitor.  Limiting nights or number of rentals seems impossible to enforce and really doesn't solve the problem.  What is better... 40 good rentals of small, respectful groups.... or 30 rentals with overcrowding and noise?

https://youtube.com/shorts/YnLS1pB6aCE?feature=share

Franconia Adds Safety Inspection to STR Permit Requirements

Franconia's new STR license will require a safety inspection for approval.  This seems like a good idea as there are so many properties in the area that have bedrooms without egress, decks without railings and inadequate smoke detectors but I wonder why many towns do not inspect properties offered for long term rental.

What is the clearing by Kennett High School?

Many have asked about the recent land clearance adjacent to Walmart and Kennett High School in North Conway. Below some information about the upcoming developments.

The Ridgeline Community, as announced in the press release by the Conway Daily Sun, will feature a 75-acre campus comprising a 106-unit assisted living facility that offers various progressive levels of care. Additionally, Continuum will offer 31 cottages that span 1,600 square feet each, tailored for individuals aged 55 and older, along with 42 units for workforce housing and 146 non-age-restricted condos to be sold at market value. The campus will also include a medical office building, children's day-care facility, and a bank.

For more details on the Ridgeline Community, please click on the provided link

Click here for info on the Ridgeline Community

 

The Importance of Egress in a Vacation Rental

I recently saw a new vacation rental posting.  Scrolling through the pictures, I saw a couple of bedrooms without proper egress.  Unfortunately, this is not something that is monitored or enforced around North Conway, so it puts the burden of care on owners.

When planning a vacation rental, it's essential to consider the safety of your guests. One area that often gets overlooked is egress from bedrooms. Egress refers to the ability to exit a room in the case of an emergency, and it's crucial to ensure that guests can do so safely and quickly.

Here are a few reasons why egress from bedrooms in a vacation rental is so important:

  1. Emergency situations can happen at any time No one plans for an emergency, but they can happen at any time. From a fire to a medical emergency, guests need to be able to exit their bedrooms quickly and safely. If egress is obstructed or difficult to navigate, guests may be trapped in the event of an emergency.

  2. It's a legal requirement In many places, it's a legal requirement to provide safe and accessible egress from bedrooms. Building codes dictate the size and placement of windows and doors to ensure that occupants can exit the building in case of an emergency. As a vacation rental owner, it's your responsibility to ensure that your property complies with local building codes.

  3. It gives guests peace of mind When guests stay in a vacation rental, they want to feel safe and secure. Knowing that they can exit their bedrooms quickly and easily in an emergency can give them peace of mind and help them relax during their stay.

So, what can you do to ensure safe egress from bedrooms in your vacation rental? Here are a few tips:

  1. Install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in each bedroom and throughout the rental property.

  2. Ensure that all doors and windows are in good working condition and that guests can open them easily.

  3. Provide clear instructions on how to exit the rental property in the case of an emergency.

  4. Consider installing emergency lighting in hallways and staircases to guide guests to safety.

  5. Regularly inspect and maintain egress points to ensure that they are functioning properly.

Even though it is not enforced, please don't make the mistake of adding extra bedrooms to maximize income while exposing guests to a dangerous situation.

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