The Jaffrey Zoning Board has approved a variance to allow the Hope Fellowship Church in Jaffrey to expand its parking and entrance, in anticipation of a large addition being built onto the church.

Following a public hearing on Tuesday, the board unanimously to grant a variance to the property to allow additional pavement, grading and clearing within the Wetland Conservation District. The additional paving with essentially double the parking spaces, and increase the entry point on Prescott Road from two lanes to three, allowing exiting traffic to have  both right and left turning lanes.

Josh Joslyn, an agent of GRAZ Engineering, representing Hope Fellowship, presented the plans to the board on Tuesday. He explained the existing church was constructed and permitted in 2009, and the entrance, as it exists today, crosses a wetlands, and expanding the entrance will increase that impact.

“There’s a lot of people that attend this church, and on Sundays, when they’re trying to leave, it gets really backed up,” Joslyn explained, as to why the church is seeking an expanded entrance.

Joslyn said that at a recent service, there were about 600 people at the church.

While outlining the five criteria for a variance, and why the application applies, Joslyn said that the church acts as a community gathering place for portions of the public, and that the expansion would alleviate significant traffic issues, with a minimal impact into wetlands buffers. He said the community “greatly benefits” from having access to gathering spaces that allow for community building, such as churches.

Zoning Board Chair Lee Sawyer asked that if there was such high traffic volumes, if there was a possibility that an additional turning lane on Prescott Road might have to be considered. Joslyn said the main issue is people attempting to leave the church, and backing up traffic into the lot while attempting to turn onto Prescott.

During the hearing, the board determined there was no regional impact from the decision, and also waived the possibility of a site walk to review conditions.

ZBA member Erlene Brayall said that the impacts were minimal from additional clearing for grading for the parking in the wetland district, and said that she was compelled by the possible safety improvements the additional lane would give churchgoers.

Member Phil Cournoyer added that the church does provide a gathering space for those beyond its congregation, noting that the town had held outdoor Town Meetings in the church parking lot during COVID-19, calling Hope Fellowship a “good community neighbor.”

The board unanimously voted to approve the variance. In addition to the variance, Hope Fellowship will also have to go through a site plan review process with the Planning Board, as well as receive wetlands and alteration of terrain permits from the state.

In another matter before the board on Tuesday, the board also unanimously granted a variance requested by Loonacy Properties, owned by Asher Construction, for a Knight Street property. The variance allows the reduction of front setback limits, which are usually 100 feet, to 21 feet.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.