The Peterborough Zoning Board denied a request for a variance, which would have allowed a neighbor of the Old Stone Barn property at 63 Old Street Road to operate a classic car storage business out of the building.
Stephen Keneally, of 81 Old Street Road, said he was considering purchasing the Old Stone Barn, but that the sale could be dependent on getting the variance.
“I haven’t decided yet. We’ll see how this goes,” Keneally said during the hearing.
The ZBA was divided on whether to grant the variance, with only Daron Janus voting in favor.
“Of the proposals that have come forward about this barn, this is the one that would have the lowest impact to traffic and neighbors,” Janus said. “There is a public interest in preserving this ban. There is also an economic reality that no one can preserve this building unless there is some income. There have been many plans, but the economics have never worked out, and this building remains unused, at risk. This proposal is a way to preserve the barn for the community.”
A variance would have been required for the business to operate because Peterborough’s zoning ordinance does not permit commercial enterprises in the town’s Family District.
ZBA Chair Christopher DiLoreto spoke against the proposal, saying he felt a car storage business did not fit the spirit of the ordinance since the barn is in the Family District.
“This is not like a bed and breakfast,” he said. “There are a lot of people here to comment, and the neighbors do not seem to think this is in the public interest.”
Keneally’s attorney, William Baker, characterized the proposed business as a classic car storage facility in which members would pay to store their cars in the barn alongside part of Keneally’s personal car collection.
“The proposal is for a classic car storage business, which would provide unique service to the area and which would contribute to the area. There is no old car storage in the region, and this proposal is not inconsistent with current use and character of Peterborough,” Baker said.
Baker also made the case that the owners of the cars are “affluent people” who would contribute to Peterborough’s economy by patronizing local businesses, creating public benefit.
ZBA member Loretta Laurenitis said Keneally would be welcome to store his own cars at the barn but that it did not have to be a commercial business.
“It comes down to permitting commercial use in the Family District. The community has wanted to preserve this property,” Laurenitis said. “The owner could try to rezone as commercial and just store his own cars.”
In the public hearing on the proposal, neighbors and abutters packed the meeting room with questions and concern about lights, trucks entering and leaving the property, signage, possible security fencing, and a potential increase in traffic on Old Street Road.
Marylou Marcus, a resident of Carley Road, said her road has had such an increase in traffic that it is “no longer rural.”
“It is taking your life in your hands to walk on Carley Road,” she said.
Charley Hough of Peterborough noted that the Family District ordinance specifically prohibits self-storage facilities.
“The ordinance says no self-storage facilities are permitted. Why put this in Family District? We don’t want to be disturbed by an industrial facility which is against the zoning ordinance,” Hough said.
Keneally responded that the proposal was “not a self-storage facility like you hear about.”
“This would not be like a U-Haul facility, with lights and fencing and signage,” he said. “I live next door. I don’t want lights or fencing either. It would be very minimal use and traffic, with most owners only accessing their cars a few times a year. They are in storage.”
Keneally also detailed his plans to repair and upgrade the barn, were he to take possession.
“The floor is half dirt; there are broken windows. It needs work,” he said. “We would take care of all of that.”
Realtor Andy Petersen, speaking on behalf of the current owners of the Old Stone Barn, said people have long tried to find a viable use for the barn.
“The owners of the property have been trying to find a use for the barn for 40 years,” Petersen said. “They have put significant money into the barn. People love the barn, but no one can make it economically viable. On three separate occasions, these boards have approved major residential developments at this property. Those were all approved, and they would have increased traffic more. The current owners have taken good care of this barn, and now we have a new potential owner who looks out on this property and who loves the property, and he will take care of it. This is a reasonable use, and I think it’s a good proposal,” Petersen said.
Petersen added that the Old Stone Barn predates Peterborough’s existing zoning ordinance.
“This barn was built by previous benefactors to the town, the Cheney family. This proposal is a way to preserve this barn,” Petersen said.
Kenneally had also submitted an application to launch a spring water business at the property if he purchased it, but the hearing was postponed until Jan. 5.