An industrial project at the Woodmont Commons PUD moved forward at the January meeting of the Heritage Commission, where Professional Engineer Jim Petropulos and several associates presented a site and subdivision plan for a 751,600-square-foot project.
“We’re here tonight seeking any comments from the Commission relative to a development to be located at the eastern part of Londonderry,” said Petropolis. “This property is zoned industrial, but it’s also part of the Woodmont Commons Planned Use Development. The overall property is bordered by single-family homes. To the east is the Derry town line and commercial properties just on the opposite side of the property line. There are single-family homes along Ash Street, and of course, there’s I-93 to the west.”
The proposal includes the development of 107 acres just south of the historic Old Rum Trail. The plan includes landscaping and trees across the property to “compliment the architecture” of the buildings. Petropolis claimed other factors would comply with all regulations for the PUD and the town of Londonderry.
“The buildings are all very similar in character with one-story structure, flat roof, 36 feet in height,” he said, adding that a goal of building one is to attract “industrial flex” developers aimed at lighter industrial research and development. Other elements of the plan would likely include warehousing and manufacturing.
Before recommending the project to the Planning Board, members of the Heritage Commission had a few questions.
“You show approximately 3,880 feet of stone walls on the property. It doesn’t tell me how big they are, but there is a note saying it’s supposed to be picked up and stored someplace to be reused,” said Commissioner David Colglazier. “I don’t see on any of this plan the locations where you’re going to redistribute the material. Can you enlighten me about that?”
Petropolis admitted there was no definitive plan for where the historic walls might be reassembled this early in the design review process.
“We’re going to pick them up, stockpile them, and the goal is to put them back into the plan,” he said. “I believe that when we finalize our drawings and we appear before the Planning Board, we’re going to have a representation of where those walls are.”
Other questions focused on how close construction might get to the Old Rum Trail.
“You’re probably not aware of its history, but that is the original Old Rum Trail the new road is named for. Most of it is compromised already, but there is a piece that runs from the intersection just down from the radio tower, down to I-93 and I’m wondering if or how you’re going to be able to protect that,” said alternate David Ellis. “It’s got quite a bit of history and I know the state has it down as an archeological resource.”
The plan involved paving over at least some roads in the area, although the initial plan seemed to indicate the development’s stormwater drainage system could run through the Old Rum Trial.
“That would be a major loss to the town if we lose that,” warned Ellis.
Petropolis agreed to double-check the design documents to see what could be done to avoid minimizing the impact, and that developers were in contact with the NH Division of Historical Resources.
Ultimately, the Heritage Commission recommended the plan, on the condition the applicant gather more information from the state to work towards preserving that section of the Old Rum Trail.
The Heritage Commission is scheduled to meet again on Thursday, March 27, at 7 p.m. in the Moose Hill Council Chambers.