NEWPORT — Two variance requests for a proposed 96-unit senior housing project on Route 10 north of downtown were approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
The project by Avanru Development of Walpole, N.H., will now go before the Planning Board for site plan approval, though it is not clear when that will be.
One variance that was approved Thursday will allow a multi-unit senior housing project in an area zoned rural and the second variance allows for a building height in excess of the 40-foot limit under the zoning ordinances. The property is located on the western side of Route 10 (North Main Street) and abuts the town’s airport, Parlin Field, with a stand of trees in between.
Before the ZBA voted to approve the variances, several residents who live on the other side of Route 10 directly across from the project raised concerns about the proposal and its potential impact on their neighborhood. Some complained that such a building will look out of place in the rural area while others were concerned with traffic safety on a road with a 50 mph speed limit, lighting and more development on the 17-acre parcel if this project, about four acres in total, is approved.
“Senior housing sounds good but what about the rest of the land,” asked resident Betty Avery, wondering if apartments for middle class or low-income residents will be next.
“We have not gone any further than this proposal,” responded Jack Franks, President and CEO of Avanru.
Franks said they are looking to address the critical housing shortage for seniors with this project and are not considering other development.
“We have not done an assessment of the overall (housing) needs above and beyond this proposal,” Franks said Friday morning.
ZBA member Bert Spaulding said the proposed orientation of the building, which faces south on the northern edge of the property instead of toward the road, suggests more development is coming. He told Franks he wasn’t “buying” what he was saying about more development not under consideration.
Erin Darrow, of Right Angle Engineering of New London, said the focus for the meeting is the senior housing project but did not want to mislead residents about the future.
“We want to be forthcoming with the possibility of additional development on the property,” Darrow said.
Susan Farmer, another homeowner in the neighborhood across from the proposed housing, said the building will “block her view” and a building of that height is not consistent with other structures.
“It is not rural. It is not part of the neighborhood,” Farmer said.
Also of concern was storm water runoff in the parking lot. Jason Avery, co-owner of a private well that serves 17 homes, said he wants to be sure the well’s underground protection area is not impacted and they will be able to expand if more homes are built around Allen and Carey streets.
The storm water will be managed on site, residents were told. Additionally, the building will be hooked to public water and sewer, which will require an extension of the sewer line along North Main Street. Many of the questions and concerns raised by residents before the ZBA come under the Planning Board’s site plan review.
Darrow presented the plans at the meeting. The four-story building will be 23,000 square feet with one bedroom, one bath and two bedrooms, two bath apartments that will have full amenities and be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and all New Hampshire fire and building codes. There will also be community rooms, laundry facilities and a covered carport. All outside lighting will be “downcast,” to minimize its effect on homes in the area.
Darrow called it a “well-balanced” plan that meets a critical housing need and would not adversely impact the public health, safety and welfare of the area.
Franks, who said his company has similar housing projects in Walpole and Swanzey, told the meeting the project will help ease the critical senior housing shortage throughout area where he said waiting lists can be up to eight years.
“It is astonishing,” Franks said.
Another issue that was brought up several times was how the building’s residents, who must be 62 or older, will react to the noise from the airport’s routine operations and special events, including fireworks displays. Franks emphasized that tenants will be made fully aware of the presence of the airport noise when they move in and the likelihood of noise. But even with that notice, ZBA member Spaulding said anybody can file a noise complaint.
Rick Kloeppel, co-manager at the airport, said it is foolish to think noise won’t be a problem.
“I guarantee you it will be a problem and it will end up in litigation,” he said.
Franks said this is roughly $26 million project with both private and public financing
Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com
