Nearly a year after receiving direction, the Planned Unit Development (PUD) ordinance update was approved by the Town Council in a 3-2 vote on Monday, May 18.
The current PUD includes two ongoing projects that have taken advantage of the existing guidelines in town: Woodmont Commons and The Village on Technology Hill. Both are in the midst of construction and each includes a large portion of land devoted to high-density housing.
At Monday night’s Town Council meeting, a public hearing was held, with many residents speaking in opposition to the housing aspects of the ordinance and its impact on surrounding roadways.
Deputy Town Manager Kellie Caron began the discussion with a brief background on the PUD amendments. There was no discussion by the council before opening the floor to public comment.
Longtime north Londonderry farm owner Bob Merrill led off the discussion by asking the council to “repeal the PUD entirely.” He said, “I have one right in the back of the family property, and it’s just a total nightmare up there.” He added, “Looking at Woodmont Commons-yuck. They just don’t work.”
Martha Smith asked how many properties in town over 100 acres would be able to take advantage of the PUD. She was told that one to three properties have that much contiguous land, though connecting parcels could be purchased to meet the requirements.
Resident David Armstrong expressed concern that when the original PUD was introduced, it was pitched as a “work, live, play” concept, but all he has seen constructed at Woodmont are “live” projects.
Councilor Ted Combes pointed out that the update would have no impact on Woodmont, and Councilor Shaun Faber noted that the revised ordinance requires commercial development to be built first.
Mike Speltz, a member of the Conservation Commission, suggested adding language to the environmental protection section “to include the Conservation Overlay District” to clarify that portion of the ordinance.
He said, “The Conservation Overlay District is probably the most important environmental protection in this town.”
Resident Katherine Dzenis, who lives in south Londonderry, also suggested putting the plan on hold while the town works to rebuild its planning department. She noted that Caron, the presenter, will soon be leaving for a position in Concord.
Dzenis also said that, as a member of the younger generation, high-density housing is not what many new homeowners are seeking, adding that a recent survey indicated the PUD conflicts with residents’ preferences.
Resident Sandra Lagueux spoke about issues encountered with the Woodmont PUD, noting that many promises made during the approval process have not been fulfilled. “Not even a single playground has been built in Woodmont,” she said.
She added, “The point of revising this PUD is to avoid making the same mistakes again,” and urged the council to ensure the new ordinance provides stronger protections for the town.
Planning Board member Tony DeFrancesco and Woodmont representative Kevin Smith were the only residents to speak in favor of the PUD during the hearing.
In the end, the council voted 3-2 to approve the revised ordinance as written. Councilors Deb Paul and Dan Bouchard voted against the measure, saying it could have been stronger.