Integrity Development Takes Over Rise Dispensary Site

Report on the Meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals, February 26,2026

By Maura Keene

This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded.

Present
Everald Henry (Chair), David Ahlfeld, Craig Meadows, and Philip White. Hilda Greenbaum (Associate member)

Staff: Jacinta Williams (Planner)

Integrity Development and Construction is slated to take over the one-time site of Kimballs Auction and Estate Services at 169 Meadow Street. The auction house moved to Hatfield in 2016, and the site became Rise Dispensary, which closed last year. Integrity received approval from the Conservation Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to move their headquarters from Pulpit Hill Road to Meadow Street.

Integrity’s only planned alteration to the site, which is located in a flood plain, is to add a 12 by 24-foot patio made of permeable pavers with a six-foot cedar screening fence for a break area for employees. There will be a slightly larger sign, and planting beds will be redone to improve the landscaping.

The Conservation Commission approved the plan, specifying that straw wattles be installed around work areas to control erosion. Anna Cook, representing Integrity, said the company plans to clean out and maintain the stormwater drains that have become obstructed. The new plans do not increase the impermeable area on the site.

Assistant Town Manager Dave Ziomek noted that there is a little-used small conservation area next to the site along the Mill River. There are no trails or parking at the conservation area.

The ZBA was also satisfied with Integrity’s plans. Planning staff liaison Jacinta Williams proposed a condition that the site comply with the conditions set by the Conservation Commission at their meeting on Feb. 25, 2026. ZBA member Hilda Greenbaum wanted to add a condition requiring the company to comply with any stormwater and flood-control measures that might be imposed on the site in perpetuity due to climate change. However, other members of the board did not feel that it was fair to impose on the owner, conditions that did not exist at the time the requested Special Permit was issued. They felt that it would be up to the Conservation Department to issue and enforce any changes in flood prevention measures in the future.

The Special Permit for change of use from store/shop to construction yard was awarded by a unanimous vote. ZBA member David Ahlfeld stated that members were told at the site visit that the colorful murals on the building would be painted over.

Accessory Dwelling Unit Can Be Added at 74 North Whitney
In a confusing discussion, the ZBA extinguished a 1997 Special Permit that allowed a one-bedroom apartment to be created on the first floor of 74 North Whitney Street and required that the building be owner-occupied. Dinakaran Ranghanathan of Nashua, New Hampshire who purchased the building in October, 2025 wants to return it to a single-family home with a “protected Accessory Dwelling Unit” (ADU) on the first floor. A 2025 state law permits ADUs of under 900 square feet to be built by right, so no permit would be needed for the ADU. Ranghanathan‘s plans are to create a 735 square-foot three-bedroom, two bath ADU on the lower level of the 1969 split level house. Work is already proceeding on the upper level four-bedroom unit to bring it up to code. There will be no alteration of the building’s footprint or site. There is parking for three cars.

ZBA members were somewhat confused as to what their role was. They are usually asked to grant Special Permits, not extinguish them. This structure had been acquired by U.S. Bank in foreclosure nine years ago and had fallen into disrepair. Neither the bank, nor Ranghanathan knew how long it had been vacant, and the town had no recent record. Because of the uncertain history, Building Commissioner Rob Morra asked that the situation be clarified by removing the Special Permit attached to the property and reverting it back to a single-family home, which would permit the construction of the protected ADU. Ranghanathan said he was waiting for this to happen before he began renovation of the lower level.

Greenbaum pointed out that the removal of the Special Permit was required by Morra, who is the zoning enforcement agent for the town, and it was only fair to the applicant to grant this request and allow him to rehabilitate the property. The Special Permit would have been removed if it could be documented that the apartment had not been occupied for at least two years, but that information was not available.

In the end, the ZBA unanimously voted to extinguish the Special Permit and allow the applicant to complete the renovation of the property. Both units in the house will be rentals.