The second November meeting of the Londonderry Planning Board saw a presentation for the new Woodmont Planned Use Development (PUD) plan set at 15 and 44 Pillsbury Rd. Will Nuccio from The Procopio Companies was at the meeting to explain the conceptual plan.
“The intent would be to create a residential neighborhood that is compatible with the existing properties,” he said. “On the west side of the site, it’s a relatively steep slope and here’s a decent little forested area. We’d try to keep that there.”
The design included slightly more compressed, higher-density housing to avoid getting too close to nearby wetlands and to preserve more green space.
“This would be a lot of two- and three-bedroom houses. It’s not going to be four- and five-bedroom houses,” explained Nuccio. “Less bedrooms should make it more affordable housing.”
Some units would be sold, while others would be rented out. Director of Engineering John Trottier noted that the higher density would exceed what was normally allowed in the Woodmont PUD.
“It will be interesting to see what you do,” said Trottier, who seemed skeptical about the feasibility of parts of the design after seeing concept art of the common areas and the higher-density layout.
Members of the Planning Board had a few concerns.
“That area in general is a very busy freeway intersection, I’m not sure if it’s going to be improved in the future or not. Adding a lot more traffic to that area I think is going to be tough,” said Board member Ann Chiampa. “I see more building in the area with your plans and I’m not that thrilled about that.”
Board member Jason Knights said he was “a fan” of the general design, although he was worried about the “chipping away” of what was intended to be a more retail-oriented part of Woodmont Commons.
“It does specify a small retail, neighborhood kind of thing and that has completely gone away with this,” said Knights. “It seems like we’re getting a lot more residential and a lot less of those pieces people were really looking forward to. If there’s a way to bring that back, it would be nice.”
Retail stores were supposed to provide close services for Woodmont residents as a self-contained neighborhood. Developers promised to see what they could do as the design moves forward.
Chair Jake Butler believed there was a way for the proposal to move forward if “done right,” with an eye on housing affordability.
“If you look at some of the recently approved developments in the town of Londonderry, I think I saw the starting price point of $910,000 for a single-family home,” said Butler. “I think 90% of the people in this room would agree that $910,000 is not affordable.”
He pushed for smaller, more affordable houses for the development, tentatively agreeing to higher density. Affordable housing is a voluntary measure under state law, meaning local officials cannot force requirements, although they can modify density requirements. There was also talk of limiting the square footage of the houses.
“I want you to come to me and say ‘this is how we’re going to put up 78 houses that are going to be more affordable than what is traditionally being put up,’ and I want you to show me how you’re going to justify that,” said Butler. “I think you guy have the ability. I feel like you have the vision and you want to do it.”
The next Planning Board meeting is set for Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. in the Moose Hill Conference Room.