MerNIA Meredith Neck and Islands Alliance
Preserving the Character of our Unique Neighborhood
MerNIA Meredith Neck and Islands Alliance
Preserving the Character of our Unique Neighborhood
Who Is MerNIA?
Meredith Neck and Islands Alliance (MerNIA), is a local non-profit organization, recognized as a 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service. MerNIA is comprised of concerned residents and visitors to the neighborhood including Meredith Neck and the adjacent islands located on Lake Winnipesaukee in the Town of Meredith, NH.
MerNIA advocates for the preservation of the rural and residential character and environment of Meredith Neck, as well as Bear, Pine and other islands located in Meredith.
MerNIA operates under the direction of a Board of Directors which meets regularly. There are nine members on this Board. MerNIA is properly registered with the Charitable Trust Unit of the Attorney General's Office of the State of New Hampshire. MerNIA seeks donations from time to time to assist in fulfilling its mission.
Why Are We Concerned Now?
On March 21, 2024, Goodhue Meredith submitted two applications with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) seeking a Major Impact Wetlands permit and a Shoreland permit to:
- Construct a new 30’ wide boat launch area along the north/east shoreline of the boatyard property adjacent to Loon Island and the Kelley Cove/Powers Road residential neighborhood.
- Construct a new 35’ wide negative lift well located alongside the aforementioned launch area to move boats in/out of the water using heavy lifting equipment.
- Construct three (3) new commercial docks measuring 12’ x 40’, 4’ x158’, and 4’ x 145’ to handle increased and expanded commercial activity.
- Demolish all existing docks at the boatyard, reconfigure the entire docking system, and build all new docks.
The plans and supporting documentation (click here to access the documents) represent an expansion into an entirely new commercial area of the shoreline property with long commercial docks extending out into the lake.
In reviewing the Wetlands Permit Plans, pay particular attention to the following pages:
- Page 4 presenting the existing conditions plan,
- Page 6 presenting details of the commercial launch and docking site plan,
- Page 7 presenting the entire site docking reconfiguration plan.
This proposed commercial expansion will increase boating and parking congestion, interfere with Meredith taxpayers’ lake access, and negatively impact abutting property owners.
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On November 27, 2024, the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES) denied a modified version of Goodhue's March 2024 Major Impact Wetlands Permit Application to reconfigure and build new docks and develop a new boat launch site. The DES chose not to hold a public hearing on the matter. A copy of the DES decision can be found here.
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Rewind 3 years ago to Fall 2021....
Goodhue proposed and soon after delayed another major expansion of their operations and capacity (Click here for details). At the time, we raised the following questions for town residents and other stakeholders which are still pertinent today:
- How will an expansion impact vehicular traffic on Meredith Neck, Pleasant St., Lovejoy Sands Rd., and at the public parking lot surrounded by the boatyard site, and what are the implications?
- Will there be more competition for any available vehicle and boat parking at the site for tax-paying town residents if an expansion at the site occurs?
- How much will boat traffic increase in the Bear Island Channel due to a potential expansion of commercial operations, endangering swimmers, passive watercraft, and waterfowl?
- Will there be permanent environmental damage to existing forest, natural wetlands, and the lake water quality as a result of potential expansion plans?
- Will property values in the neighborhood be impacted due to potential increases in commercial activity in an otherwise residential section of town?
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After three years of efforts by Goodhue, we remain concerned about plans to redevelop this site.
The current Meredith Zoning Ordinance, established in 1971, already designates this area as part of the Shoreline District, a predominantly residential area of single-family detached homes with access to lake waters. The purpose of this District, as explicitly stated in the Ordinance, is "to preserve the water quality and adjacent shorelines and to maintain the privacy and tranquility of residents".
The boatyard exists in this District because it was established prior to the Zoning Ordinance in 1971. As a grandfathered non-conforming entity, an expansion plan may challenge the very definition of the Shoreline District as codified in the Zoning Ordinance.
Map Data: 2023 Google Maps
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