The Conservation Commission reviewed two proposed developments including a change to the previously approved Wallace Farm workforce housing development on Perkins Road to convert the form of ownership to condominium.
The Wallace Farm projected was approved by the Planning Board in 2015 with development planned in three phases. The updated plan from the developer does not make any changes to the size of buildings, number of housing units or the layout of the buildings on the property. The development remains a workforce housing project and as such must meet the associated conditions.
The developer is seeking to switch the ownership model to a condominium approach to take advantage of tax credits. Individual units would still be rentals; however, each building would be treated as a condominium complex with requirements for common areas for each building. The Commission’s only concern to pass to the Planning Board is that with this new model, if there are issues in the common areas it could be challenging to determine which of the condominium associations is responsible for dealing with them.
The Commission also reviewed a planned single-family subdivision that would be on a new cul-de-sac known as Braeburn Drive. The new road would connect to High Range Road across from 181 High Range Road. The development will have 10 lots ranging in size from 1.05 to 2.82 acres and will be served by wells and septic systems.
The 15.6 acre site had been used by the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport to host aviation guidance equipment. It was purchased from the City of Manchester by Belize Real Estate Holdings earlier this year for $325K.
Following recent updates to the parking area at the Kendall Pond Conservation Area, Commissioner Bob Maxwell provided an update on activity at the area and ongoing trail improvements. Maxwell walked the trails and found a small amount of litter and trails in need of work. He removed a couple of small downed trees and cut back some undergrowth that was crowding the trails. More work is needed to open the trails and the Conservation Commission planned to complete the work on September 30.
Maxwell also shared that he had reviewed all the images from the surveillance camera that was added as part of the updates to discourage use of the area for inappropriate activities. Maxwell estimated that there were 300 visits over a 30 day period with a lot of people there to walk dogs.
While no inappropriate activities were noted, Maxwell did forward two sets of images that he deemed suspicious to the Londonderry Police Department.
Commissioner Mike Speltz shared that he is preparing a grant application for a state brownfield program to fund a review of a site on Gilcreast Road where the town holds an easement. A brownfield site is a property that contains a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant, which hinders the potential to reuse or redevelop the site.
The site is 23 acre parcel along Gilcreast across the street from Albany and Boston Avenue and is the site of former apple orchard. If issued the grant, it could cover just assessing the current state of contamination or that plus a clean up of the areas. Speltz plans to seek approval to apply for the grant at the November 5 Town Council meeting.
Chairperson Marge Badois told the commission that the Request for Proposal for a water quantity study had been posted. She planned to brief the Town Council on Oct. 2 on the proposal which also includes formation of a working group to oversee the study.