Committee members said the Zoning Board of Adjustment approved a College Park application and that Brady Sullivan has presented a concept discussion to the planning board ahead of an official submission for site approval.

Details and context

Committee discussion included differing accounts of unit counts: one speaker described an 80-unit conversion in the Cigna building plus about 80 townhouses around the perimeter; another speaker said the matter being presented at the ZBA concerned roughly 60 units. Committee members said the planning-board concept discussion is intended to allow the developer to present the zoning-board materials again and to solicit planning-board feedback about proposed density.

Members said the project could help address local sewer constraints and that a site walk of the property indicated vegetative buffers and setbacks from adjacent homes. Several members noted public comment at the ZBA hearing drew both support and opposition.

Village revitalization and Miracle Mile

Separately, the committee discussed master-plan short-term goals for economic development and whether the Miracle Mile revitalization area in the existing plan remains the best focus. Members suggested shifting emphasis northward, roughly from Industrial Park Drive up to Main Street along Hooksett Road, noting that the parcel designated in the current plan seems largely developed. The committee discussed leveraging any Brady Sullivan investment to help fund or donate land for public amenities such as a splash pad, walking trails, or riverfront improvements.

Members also discussed village-district opportunities including a town pavilion or small waterfront gathering spaces, boat-launch access and a private seaplane operators dock application that a member said is being prepared for state review. The committee recommended continuing to coordinate with Brady Sullivan and with other town boards to outline a cohesive plan for the riverfront and village areas.

Clarifying details

- ZBA: committee members stated the College Park application received ZBA approval (item described in the meeting transcript).
- Developer concept: Brady Sullivan submitted materials for a planning-board concept discussion; full planning-board application had not been described as submitted for final approval in the transcript.
- Unit counts: transcript contained inconsistent figures (one account: 80 units in the Cigna building plus ~80 townhouses; another account: ~60 units referenced) and committee members discussed these discrepancies during the meeting.

Speakers

Committee participants who raised or discussed the College Park and village revitalization topics included: Dave (not specified), Jesse (not specified), Grant (not specified), John Cronin (not specified), Kathy (not specified).