Hollis Appeals Board Grants Whippoorwill Lane Variance for Family Home

The Hollis Zoning Board of Appeals voted 4-0 on October 5, 2026 to grant a variance letting Tristan and Emily Shields build a home on family land off Whippoorwill Lane without widening the existing narrow lane to town standards. The approval came with conditions that all lane residents can use a new hammerhead turnaround and that no-parking signs be posted on the lane. The board also re-elected its officers and heard concerns from the road commissioner and fire chief about road width and emergency access.

Key points

• The board voted 4-0 to grant the Shields variance, with Nancy Ponzetti making the motion and Nancy Olds seconding it.
• Conditions attached to the variance: all Whippoorwill Lane residents may use the hammerhead turnaround on the property, and no-parking signs will be posted on the lane.
• Rebecca Bali recused herself because her brother is the town road commissioner; Nancy Ponzetti disclosed that abutter Sue Heaney is a close friend but was allowed to stay on the case after a vote.
• Road Commissioner Rob Hansen and Fire Chief Chris Young wrote letters opposing the entrance permit, citing the lane's roughly 12-foot width, the 18-foot town standard, and difficulty turning around emergency vehicles.
• Applicant Tristan Shields said the family has spent about $20,000 preparing the property, that a hammerhead turnaround was already built, and that denying the variance would landlock the lot.
• Public comment was mixed: neighbor Everett Smith and relatives spoke in favor, while abutter Susan Haney submitted a letter opposing any widening of the lane.
• The board re-elected Bart Shigrou as chair and kept the vice chair and secretary positions unchanged.

Next steps

• Code Officer Dwayne Hansen said he will visit the property to review the driveway and confirm it does not interfere with the hammerhead turnaround.
• The town attorney may need to review how the turnaround access and parking conditions should be documented by deed.
• Anyone wishing to appeal the decision has 30 days from the vote.

Read the full transcript