The Wilton Zoning Board of Adjustment denied Faby Gagne and Luc Sirois request to hold a rehearing for their application to rent their dressage arena as a home occupation on June 9.
However, the board reaffirmed its approval for a special exception to Gagne and Sirois for their in-home fiber arts workshop.
Background
Gagne and Sirois, 325 Burton Highway, requested a special exception to operate an educational farm on their residence in late February.
With big plans for the area, the couple wanted to host fiber arts workshops and rent their dressage arena.
While Gagne has no plans to own horses, she wants to raise cashmere goats. Sirois mentioned plans to create a Christmas tree and lavender farm.
On April 2, the zoning board attended a site visit where the couple showed the members their plans. The public hearing followed almost two weeks later, on April 14.
Kenton Blagbrough’s property abuts the proposed educational farm and said he is worried about the impact on the water. He has an easement close to the dressage arena and said he does not want animals or waste contaminating his well, according to previous reporting.
There is also a 200-foot New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services protected wetland corridor in the same area.
Opponents also stressed the water runoff from the horse dressage arena would lead to Mill Brook, the alternative water source for Wilton residents with wells.
At the public hearing in April, the zoning board unanimously denied the application for special exceptions regarding farming lavender, Christmas trees and goats as they are considered general farming activities and do not need the exception to be acted upon.
Additionally, the board unanimously approved the fiber arts workshops under the conditions that the classes would be offered twice a month, no more than 15 vehicles permitted, lunch and access to toilets would be provided for participants, dyes would be non-toxic and disposed of on the property, and the classes would take place no earlier than 9 a.m. and no later than 6 p.m. or sunset.
On May 12, the public hearing continued and the board members unanimously decided to deny Gagne and Sirois’s request to rent their dressage arena.
June 9
Standing by their original decision on April 14, the board approved the fiber arts workshops under the conditions listed above.
However, the board denied Gagne and Sirois’s request for a rehearing for the dressage arena rental based on the lack of evidence that their original denial was incorrect. Their decision on May 12 to deny still stands.
Going forward, Gagne and Sirois have until July 9 to appeal to a superior court or the New Hampshire Housing Appeals Board.