Planning Board Discusses Subdivision, School Population

By Alex Malm

One of the agenda items discussed at the Sept.7 Londonderry Planning Board meeting was in regards to a subdivision plan for 106 Wiley Hill Road.
Representing the owner was Jeff Kevan.
“The proposal is to create two new lots,” said Kevan.
He explained that the current house would be on a lot that is over three acres, one would be for a little under three acres, and the other would be about five acres.
One question that was asked was whether or not they are planning on widening the roadway at all.
“They are not,” said Kevan.
It was also asked if there would be a lot of disruption to the stone walls on the property.
“They will all probably have to be relocated,” said Kevan.
The Planning Board ultimately gave conditional approval for the subdivision plan.
Also during the meeting, Planning Board Chairman, Arthur Rugg, pointed out that the school district numbers show they are likely to have a decrease in students this year. Rugg stated it’s not only a trend in Londonderry, but also across the state.
“For over 20 years we’ve had a declining school population,” said Rugg.
He said it was something they need to pay attention to.
It raised the question of how often they update their growth management plan.
Rugg explained they have to update it every year.
One concern that was brought up by ex-officio, Deb Paul, was the fact they need to get their water infrastructure under control, including whether or not they have big enough pipes for the growth of the town that they are seeing.
Paul stated going forward she thinks they need to make sure they take into account their water and sewer infrastructure when it comes to the growth management plan.
“We really need to be careful in looking at this growth management to include water and sewer from now on,” said Paul.
Paul also noted she thinks traffic control should also be included, including how much traffic they can handle with the side roads they have now.
“We should really have a plan for growth like that,” said Paul.
Rugg said he agreed with her.
“You are not wrong Deb,” said Rugg.
It was also noted by Paul, who is the liaison for the ZBA, that they have on their agenda constantly things regarding sign regulations and asked if it was something they could look at in the future.
Rugg said it needs a comprehensive look by a consultant because of the complexity that comes with things like first amendment rights being protected.
Town Planner, Kellie Walsh, said it is something she has on her radar.
“That of course comes with some costs,” said Walsh.
The next Londonderry Planning Board meeting is slated for Oct.5 at 7 p.m.