By Alex Malm
The Heritage Commission reviewed an application for a design review of a site plan for a 102,418 square foot manufacturing facility and associated site improvements at 55 Pettengill Road during its May 25 meeting.
Representing New Balance Development Group was Jim Petropulos, who had an application pending with the planning department and board.
“We’re here seeking input from the Heritage Commission,” Petropulos said.
Petropulos said the 17 acre piece of property is located near the airport and would be used for New Balance manufacturing.
“This proposal is intended to be the sixth US manufacturing facility for New Balance,” Petropulos said.
Petropulos said the access will be off a shared driveway and they are proposing a right turn in and out on Pettengill Road.
For a loading dock, Petropulos stated that they are proposing seven dock positions on the west side of the building along with 10 spots for trailers. All lighting will be LED.
Petropulos explained that they are also proposing to have a one story building, which will be broken up into two pieces, with the front half being 20,000 square feet for offices and manufacturing would take up the rest of the space.
For signage Petropulos explained that they are proposing to have a singular ground sign with the New Balance sign on top of it.
They are also proposing to have two building signs with one being the logo above the entrance of the office.
The second sign would be on the manufacturing side, which will also feature the company logo.
Petropulos said the ground sign will be externally lit and the building signs are 30×5 and the signs would meet all the setbacks and requirements for the town.
Petropulos told the board that the proposal is to have a flat roof for both of the sections of the building, and that the offices would be 12 feet high, while the manufacturing of the building would be 14 feet high.
He said they are proposing to have a canopy style entrance for the office section.
For landscaping, Petropulos stated that they would be incorporating purple lilacs into the plan.
It was also noted they are planning for potential future solar opportunities.
One question asked was how many employees they are expected to have.
Petropulos said as part of phase 1, they are expecting to start off with 250 employees, which would likely increase to 450 employees during phase 2.
The Heritage Commission decided unanimously to give a favorable recommendation for the project as submitted.