Peter Morrissette, of PEM Real Estate LLC, had petitioned the Zoning Board of Adjustment in Laconia, New Hampshire for a zoning variance to allow him to use what had been St. Helena Mission Church as a storage facility. However, stiff opposition from the neighbors, and Warren Hutchins, the chairman of the Planning Board, led to the denial of his request.

Now, Morrissette and his contractor brother, Kevin Morrissette, of NW Morrissette & Sons, intend to site modular homes on the 3.38 acre parcel, according to what laconiadailysun tells MHProNews. “We’ll build every inch of housing we can get,” said Peter Morrissette, although the property is part of the shorefront residential district, which calls for six single-family homes or 20 condominium units.

During the controversy over use of the church, he asked city officials for suggestions of how he might best utilize the property, “but all I ever heard were the crickets. I would loved for someone to call me.” He demolished the church Mon., Nov. 16.

John Remington owns 30 acres surrounding Morrissette’s property, which has already been approved by the Planning Board for a cluster subdivision, including four waterfront lots. One home already built is priced at $1.7 million.

Morrissette states when he takes his proposal for the modular homes to the Planning Board he will ask Hutchins to recuse himself. “He has a conflict of interest,” Morrissette said. “I’ll take it to court if necessary.” ##

(Photo credit: Atlantic Bay Homes)

Article submitted by Matthew J. Silver to Daily Business News-MHProNews.