Colonial Inn Owner Taking Demolition Appeal to Board Of Adjustment

Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens alerted Facebook users on Tuesday about another appeal by the owner of the Historic Colonial Inn for the right to demolish his building.

Stevens wrote that Colonial Inn owner Francis Henry’s next appeal will be heard by the Hillsborough Board of Adjustment, presumably at its next meeting on Oct. 8 at the Town Barn.

Henry’s last appearance before the town on the Colonial Inn matter was on Aug. 6, when four members of the Hillsborough District Commission voted unanimously against Henry’s request.

He bought the 176-year-old Inn back in 2001. The building has existed in a state of disrepair for many years since, drawing the ire of citizens, and actions from the town against Henry for disregarding repair orders.

According to the mayor, the Board of Adjustment will determine whether the Aug. 6 decision by the HDC was made fairly, based on “reasonable application of ordinances and design guidelines.”

For the HDC decision to stand, the Board of Adjustment must find that the decision was not pre-determined, nor based on opinions influenced by lobbying efforts.

Opponents of Henry’s plans filled the lawn and the hearing room at Town Hall for the HDC hearing in August, and none of the citizens that stepped up to the podium spoke in favor of Henry’s application.

Stevens ended his post on the “Save the Colonial Inn” Facebook page by saying that anyone who disagreed with the BOA’s ruling would need to take their appeal to Superior Court.

He also warned citizens against lobbying Board of Adjustment members, which could taint the process.