Claremont
The board did not make a final decision on the variance because new information from the applicants and from city planner Mike McCrory had not been received by all ZBA members and continued Monday’s hearing until Sept. 6.
McCrory was not in attendance because of illness and board members said they wanted his input and be able to answer their questions.
Phil Hayes, one of the speedway owners, said he has spoken to Assistant Public Works Director Vic St. Pierre, who told him hooking into the city’s water line on Main Street is feasible.
“He doesn’t see any reason why it wouldn’t work,” Hayes said.
Jeffrey Lewis, an engineer with Northpoint Engineering of Pembroke, N.H., first told the board that if the speedway built a well, it would need approval from the state and part of that process would require examining the impact on neighboring properties.
“It is a well-regulated process,” Lewis said, adding that proponents hope a well won’t be needed. “We are optimistic we will be able to connect to city water.”
But before engineering a plan to run a line to the city’s water main, Lewis said, developers want to see if the variance is appoved.
That approach did not sit well with Thrasher Road resident Grace Horvath, who said her main concern with the plan is her well.
“Ok, let’s pass it — then they don’t do city water, and my well dries up. What happens then?” Horvath said.
ZBA member Tracy Pope said the biggest concern she has beard concerns well water.
Pope wants to consider making municipal water a condition of approval of the variance.
Lewis also said the soils on the 66-acre property are suitable to building on-site septic with no impact on neighboring properties.
Traffic engineer Stephen Pernaw, of Concord, responded to statements made at last week’s site visit about safety of motorists at the proposed new speedway entrance.
His recommendations included pavement markings, signage and clearing vegation to improve sight lines and slow drivers down.
The board heard from other residents opposed to the plan, which will include a playground and small store.
Thrasher Road resident Chuck Egbert, who has emerged as the proposal’s most vocal opponent, said he is worried about having 149 fire rings in close proximity to many homes.
“It is going to destroy the air quality,” said Egbert, who again wondered what board members would think if they were in his position.
“I know you don’t want to hear this, but I’ll said it again,” he said. “Would you want this in your backyard?”
Another neighbor, Rev Ford, also on Thrasher Road, urged more be done to improve road safety at the new entrance but otherwise was not opposed to the campground.
“I don’t picture the campground to be noisy or a problem, except safety of the public going in and out,” Ford said.
Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com
