The Hudson Community Food Pantry Corporation appeared before the Zoning Board of Adjustment on May 28 seeking a subdivision variance that would allow the nonprofit to relocate from its longtime Library Street home to a portion of 72 Burns Hill Road. The request marked a critical moment for the pantry, which has served Hudson families for more than four decades and now faces the possibility of losing its current location.
Attorney Andrew Prolman, representing the pantry, explained that the building the organization occupies is owned by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Manchester, who has decided to sell the property. While the pantry has not yet received an eviction notice, Prolman said the writing is on the wall. “We need to find a new home,” he told the Board. “The owner of 72 Burns Hill is very sympathetic to the food pantry, and they offered up an acre and a half of their property at a generous price.” The proposed design includes a two-story, 4,800 square foot building, though Prolman emphasized that even with a variance, the pantry was keeping all options open.
Supporters of the pantry filled the meeting room, many of them volunteers who have spent years helping Hudson residents in need. Board representative Leonard Lathrop urged the town to recognize the importance of the organization. “The Hudson Pantry is staffed totally by volunteers, there are no paid employees,” he said. “We provide food and living supplies to the food insecure of Hudson. We are serving between 50 and 60 families every week.” Vice President Carlos Pestana added that the pantry is one of the largest in the state and that rent remains one of its biggest challenges. “We hope that you look favorably upon our request, the town needs us.”
Letters of support came from groups such as the Hudson Lions Club, but the proposal also drew significant opposition. Many residents stressed that their concerns were not about the pantry’s mission but about the location. Resident Laurie Jennings told the Board, “My opposition to the variance is not opposition to the Hudson Food Pantry or the mission it serves. It’s a conviction that the right thing, the food pantry finding a properly zoned home, can be accomplished without asking the residents of Burns Hill Road and the surrounding neighborhoods to bear the cost of it.” She also noted that voters rezoned the area as residential in 2024, reinforcing the town’s intent for the neighborhood.
Other residents raised concerns about long term impacts. Robinson Smith argued that placing a food pantry in the neighborhood would be incompatible with the area and suggested that the organization could grow beyond the proposed footprint. Resident Ed Thompson pointed out that two previous variance requests for the same property had been denied and suggested the current request was being used to open the door to future commercial development. “It is my opinion that the only reason you have this variance request before you tonight is for the property owner to tug at the heartstrings of the Board,” he said. Prolman firmly rejected that claim, calling it unfounded and inaccurate.
The ZBA received at least 21 letters opposing the variance, along with a petition containing more than 40 signatures. Board members emphasized that their decision had to be based strictly on the legal criteria for granting a variance, including whether the applicant demonstrated unnecessary hardship. “The applicant hasn’t described to us or shown us that something else can’t be done with the property the way it’s zoned now,” said Board member Todd Boyer. “I just don’t believe that we’re going to be able to get through all criteria to grant the application.”
After extensive discussion, the Zoning Board unanimously voted to deny the variance, leaving the Hudson Community Food Pantry continuing its search for a new home. The organization’s leadership said they will keep exploring options, but the clock is ticking as the future of their current location remains uncertain.