Opinion ID: 2197992
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Diminution of Value of Surrounding Properties

Text: The petitioners assert that the trial court erred in upholding the ZBA's finding that there would be no diminution to the value of surrounding homes. In particular, they argue that the ZBA could not have reasonably relied upon the conclusions contained in the one site specific impact study provided by Omnipoint because it was based upon the demonstrably false claim that the tower would not be visible from the petitioners' homes. However, the ZBA is not bound to accept the conclusions of the study or any witness. See Vannah v. Bedford, 111 N.H. 105, 112, 276 A.2d 253 (1971), overruled on other grounds by Cook v. Town of Sanbornton, 118 N.H. 668, 671, 392 A.2d 1201 (1978). As ZBA Chairman Brown noted before leading the discussion on property value, the ZBA does not have to accept the conclusions of experts on either side on the question of value or any other point since one of the functions of the Board is to decide how much weight or credibility to give that testimony or the opinions of witnesses, including expert witnesses. Keep in mind that the burden is on the applicant to convince the ZBA that it is more likely than not that the project will not decrease values. Here, the ZBA had substantial evidence supporting its decision regarding property values including the numerous studies submitted, the testimony of at least one appraiser, the lack of abatement requests in comparable areas, its own knowledge of the area, and personal observations made during the simulated height tests, to support its conclusion. Thus, the trial court did not err in concluding that the ZBA acted reasonably in finding Omnipoint had met its burden of proving there would be no loss of value to the surrounding properties.