The Londonderry Town Council held its final meeting before the upcoming public hearing regarding proposed amendments to the Londonderry Planned Unit Development (PUD) ordinance.
A PUD is a regulatory framework governing large mixed-use projects. One example is Woodmont Commons.
During the previous meeting, much of the discussion focused on ongoing concerns about how PUDs are implemented, the balance between residential and commercial development, and the long-term impact on infrastructure and municipal services.
It was explained that the PUD ordinance was originally created to encourage coordinated, mixed-use development that combines housing, commercial activity, civic space, and open space within a single master-planned area.
Councilor Deb Paul said during the previous meeting that the current ordinance needs clearer, enforceable standards to “restore the original intent” of the PUD framework.
She suggested establishing a fixed minimum percentage of commercial or civic space in any new PUD proposal and tying residential density directly to infrastructure capacity.
“It prevents overloading of schools and public safety services and eliminates loopholes that previously allowed density increases without corresponding commercial development or mitigation,” Paul said during the previous meeting.
Paul also suggested implementing stronger open space protections, environmental impact requirements, and development agreements that are enforceable across all phases of a project.
Deputy Town Manager Kellie Caron explained during the previous meeting that the Planning Board forwarded the draft to the Council as members wanted clearer direction.
“My understanding from the Planning Board was, given the timing of the comments and a want for more direction from the Town Council with respect to the PUD ordinance, they chose to move this to the Council for your discussion,” Caron said.
During the May 4 meeting, Paul said she had submitted comments explaining why the additions she is proposing to the PUD ordinance are important.
She explained that the basic idea of a PUD is to include a variety of uses and that development agreements are created based on those provisions.
“You can’t put something in a development agreement that’s not listed,” Paul said. “So the (PUD) is the law its the rule.”
She explained that development agreements are the enforcing tool.
Paul said if something is not included in the PUD, then it cannot be added to a development agreement, which could create potential legal concerns.
Council Vice Chair Shawn Faber noted that he reviewed the Woodmont PUD and the original PUD ordinance, stating that the Woodmont PUD is much more expansive than the original framework.
However, Paul argued that she believes the PUD was not implemented correctly.
“The taxpayer could have benefited a lot more from Woodmont if things were done correctly from the get go,” she said.
Paul said she feels the proposed PUD ordinance still needs some work, but emphasized that the current ordinance should be replaced while improvements continue.
“Because that’s the best thing for the taxpayer in my mind,” Paul said.
The Town Council agreed to move the proposed ordinance forward to a public hearing, which is scheduled for May 18.