Good evening. I'd like to call to order the Mayer.
Can we please have an order please? I'd like to
call to order the May 1st, 2025 meeting of the city of
Nashua planning board.
Madam secretary, can we have a roll call please? Yes.
Mr. Chair, mayor Donis.
Mike Peterson.
Bob Bollinger here, Adam barley here.
Maggie Harper here, Dan Hudson here.
Scott LeClair.
Air Larry Hirsch here. Cameron green here. Alderman Klee.
All right. We have a forum.
Next item on the agenda approval of minutes from our
April 3rd, 2025 meeting.
Has any member of the board had a chance to
review those minutes and is willing to make a, a
motion regarding their acceptance or approval.
Mr. Green. I'd like to make a motion.
To accept the minutes as.
All right. We have a motion by Mr. Green. Is
there a second, second by Mr. Hirsch, any further discussion?
All those in favor.
Aye. Aye. Recusals.
Recusals. Alright. Motion passes.
Passes next item on the agenda.
Communications lean on staff for this one. Is there anything
that came in since we received our packets?
Packets we did receive, I believe one letter in opposition
to the Roby park disc golf course that has been
forwarded to you.
Alright, very good.
Thank you, Sam. Next item on the agenda report of
chair, committee and liaison. Ms. Harper, you have anything for
us tonight? Yes, Mr. Chair, I attended the historical historical
district commission meeting early, earlier this week on Monday, there
were two cases.
One for 13 Manchester street and one for 43 dash
45 orange street.
To perform repairs to the buildings and both cases were
approved by the commission.
Very good. Thank you. The only other thing I'll add,
there were a couple presentations.
About two weeks ago. I think one was on a
Thursday. One was on a Saturday for the redevelopment of
the Elm street, middle school property.
Very informative. The sessions were recorded. If you're at all
interested.
Please check 'em out, but very, very good, very thorough
presentations.
From both potential proponents. So.
I think with that, we'll just keep moving along in
the agenda. But before I do.
Would like to read the planning board procedure.
The procedure of the meeting is as follows after the
legal notice of each conditional special use permit.
Site plan or subdivision plan is read by the chair.
The board will determine if that application is complete and
ready for the board to take jurisdiction. The public hearing
will begin at which time the applicant or representative will
be given time to present an overview and description of
their project.
The applicant shall speak to whether or not they agree
with recommended staff stipulations, the board will then have an
opportunity to ask questions of the applicant or staff.
The chair will then ask for testimony from the audience.
First anyone wishing to speak in opposition or with concern
to the plan may speak.
Please come forward to the microphone.
State your name and address for the record. This would
be the time to ask questions that you may have
regarding the plan.
Next have a public testimony will come from anyone wishing
to speak in favor of the plan.
The applicant will then be allowed a rebuttal period at
which time they shall speak to any issues or concerned
raised by the prior public testimony.
After this is completed, the public hearing will end and
the board will resume the public meeting at which time
the board will deliberate and vote on the application before
us.
The board asked that both sides keep their remarks to
the subject at hand and not repeat what has already
been said.
Above all the board wants to be fair to everyone
and make the best possible decision based on the testimony
presented and all applicable approval criteria established in the Nashua
revised ordinances.
Ordinances. Thank you for your interest and courteous attention. I
would ask that you'd please turn off your cell phones
or at least put them on silent mode.
A couple of other administrative notes. I do want to
point out.
The board at its discretion.
Can cut off public testimony.
At 10 o'clock depending how the rest of the applications
on the agenda unfold this evening, there is always the
possibility that some items on the agenda may not be
heard in their entirety this evening.
Secondly, when it does come to the public testimony.
We're gonna try to keep that.
Organized and on point and really not duplicate matters, which
have already been stated if individuals have written letters or
emails, either in support or against a particular application.
They're already part of the record, the board has received
them, read them. They're part of the official record already.
You do not need to reread a letter, which you
have already written.
With that being said,
I would like to start moving on to our caseload.
Under old's business site plan.
This case was continued to May 15th is any, if anyone
is here for the east Otterson case,
that will not be heard tonight. That has been tabled
to the May 15th hearing.
Next item on the agenda.
Under new business, conditional use permit.
There's actually an associated case with this.
Under new business subdivision plan properties located at 15.
New street, it would be case number a 25 dash
0 43 for the conditional use permit.
And case number 8 25 dash 0 0 4 2 for the subdivision plan.
Mr. Chair, just sorry, just to.
Point of part. Just a quick question. Oh, you are
correct. Where we, yeah, we're gonna hear the, I am
mistaken. We were gonna skip ahead in the agenda.
Apologize for that. We were actually gonna start off this
evening with other business.
Item number two referral from the board of alderman regarding
R dash 25 dash one 40.
Relative to tax needed property auction.
Is anyone from did anyone from staff care to make
a brief statement on that?
Certainly thank you, Mr. Chair.
So before you as a referral from the board of
alderman regarding a number of properties that have been taken
by the city due to nonpayment of back taxes.
Taxes. This is a standard procedure that is enshrined in
the NROs of the city of Nashua and at, in
accordance with all applicable state statute and Nashua ordinances notice
and procedure has, has occurred.
The city now owns these properties and would like to
proceed to auctioning these properties.
State statute and pursuit, or rather city procedure requires that
the planning board make a recommendation on this list of
properties to proceed to auction the committee on infrastructure would
then hold the public hearing regarding this list of property
in that slated full.
May 7th.
All right. Thank you, Sam.
Any questions from staff.
Mr. Barley, please. Just a quick question, Sam, just to
confirm.
As to the sort of status as the, of the
properties as you described it in terms of.
The notice and process that's already taken place.
That's the same for all the properties on this list.
Is that correct? Correct. Thank you.
Thank you, Adam, other questions from the board.
See none.
Is any member of the board willing to re recommendation?
This would be
favorable either favorable or unfavorable recommendation regarding.
Regarding R 25 dash one 40 S Mr. Barley.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair, as to.
Ordinance R dash 25.
Dash one 40. I would make a motion that we
provide a favorable recommendation.
Thank you, Mr. Barley, is there a second?
Second by Mr. Hirsch.
Any further discussion.
All those in favor. Aye. Aye.
Motion passes unanimously.
Alright, thank you.
All right, moving back to our other caseload.
Again, we have an item under new business condition you
permit is 25 dash 43. Copy located at 15 new
street.
Same property. There's also under new business subdivision plan at
15 new street case 8 25 dash 0 42.
At the board's pleasure. We could hear both of these
at the same time.
Would any member of the board be willing to make
a, make a recommendation?
Regarding the board accepting jurisdiction.
Over new business subdivision plan and conditional use permit permit.
Mr. Barley.
Mr chairman as to case.
A 25 dash 0 43.
Conditional use permit and a 25 dash 0 42 subdivision plan.
I would make a motion.
That both applications are complete and ready for the board
to accept jurisdiction and that we hear the cases together.
Okay, thank you. Motion by Mr. Barley. Is there a
second, second by Mr. Green.
Any further discussion.
All those in favor. Aye. Aye. Aye. All right.
We have jurisdiction. Go right ahead. Just introduce yourself for
the record, please.
Good evening, Mr. Chairman members of the board for the
record. My name is Ethan Beales. I'm a project manager.
At Haner Swanson doing business at three Congress street here
in national New Hampshire here tonight representing Bob McIntosh at Ram
development.
Also with me tonight is the project attorney attorney. Andy
Pearlman has just read, read into the record. We're seeking
two actions by the planning board tonight.
A subdivision approval and a conditional use permit.
With the chair's permission, I'd present the facts of both
of the cases together, and then we'd be happy to
answer any questions at the board may have.
The existing site is located at 15 new street and
is known to the city of Nashua assessor's office as
map 28, lot 15.
Scott, if you don't mind bringing up the subdivision plan
instead of the, the master site plan for now.
It is known to the city of Nashua assessor's office
as map 28. Lot 15 is located in the RB.
B urban residence, zoning district.
Site measure 0.69 acres in size.
And this abutted by single family dwellings to the south
and Southwest two family dwellings to the Southeast.
A large building owned and operated by the nonprofit Southern
New Hampshire services to the Northeast.
And the Marshall street apartments, a high density multi-family residential
development.
To the Northwest, the subject site is currently developed and
contains an existing single family home.
A pool, a detached garage in two sheds.
Sheds topography on the site is generally mild with a
large, low point in the grasped backyard.
Access to the site is provided via two driveway. Curb
cuts out onto new street.
And the existing dwelling is serviced by city sewer water
by Uck waterworks gas.
And overhead electric and telecommunication lines.
It is proposed to subdivide the existing lot into two
lots. The existing house and pool will remain on lot
15 and will retain the 15 new street address.
One subdivided this lot will measure approximately 0.261 acres in
size.
And the newly created lot 21 will measure 0.429 acres
in size and will be addressed as 19 new street.
The existing detached garage shed and driveway on the new
lot, 21 will be demolished to make room for a
new development.
After subdivision, both of the lots will be legal, RB,
conforming lots.
Lots. We are seeking one waiver from the subdivision subdivision
regulation, and that was detailed in a letter to the
board. Briefly summarize that request and ask that the letter
be incorporated into the record by reference.
The waiver is of 1 90, 2 82 , which requires existing conditions be
provided within a thousand feet of the subdivision.
The justification being the surveying within a thousand feet of
the project is not really practical. It doesn't add valuable
information to the plan. It will be cost prohibitive for
a project of this size.
Scott, if you don't mind now, switching back to the
master site plan.
Well, a site plan was submitted. A three unit building
is allowed in the RV zone by conditional use permit
and a formal site plan action is not required here
tonight. It is proposed to construct a new three unit
multi-family residential building on the new lot 21, along with
the so site improvements.
The building will be a three story townhouse style building.
Elevations were submitted in your packet, but it is similar
to several of the townhouse developments that are currently being
constructed in the city.
The first floor will consist of a garage building entrance
and utility and storage space.
The second floor will contain a kitchen and a living
room.
In the third floor will, will contain three bedrooms.
Bedrooms a deck will be constructed off the back of
each unit connecting to the second floor kitchen.
And each unit will have approximately a 24 foot by
32 foot footprint.
The building will be fully sprinkled.
Access to the site will be provided via a new
driveway off of new street.
Other site improvements as part of this project include landscaping
site lighting.
Utility services and store and a stormwater management practice.
Once constructed the new building will be serviced by public
sewer water by pen, truck, waterworks, gas and underground electric
and telecommunication utilities.
A traffic memorandum was prepared by Steve Perna, professional engineer.
It concluded that the proposed development will generate approximately one
vehicle trip in the am peak hour.
And two vehicle trips in the PM peak hour.
Given the minimal edition, additional amount of trips generated by
this proposed development. An additional traffic study was not warranted.
In the board's packet tonight was a letter detailing. The
nine criteria required for conditional use permit.
Well, I'm happy to go through each criteria individually, outta
respect for the agenda tonight, perhaps I can just summarize
and hit some of those high level points.
The use is permitted in the RV zone in the
building will conform to all applicable setbacks.
Setbacks, the project exists in a transitionary area of the
city. Abutting. The project is a mix of single family,
two family, a commercial use, and a high density residential
use.
As such a three unit building is compatible with the
neighborhood.
A letter was also submitted to the board from a
licensed real estate salesperson.
Who reviewed the proposed development and wrote an opinion that
the three units will not impact the neighboring property values.
As mentioned earlier, a traffic report concluded that the proposed
project will have a measurable, but minimal impact to the
surrounding roadways.
Roadways. And finally, adequate utilities exist in the vicinity of
the proposed project.
We are seeking also one waiver for the C U
P as I did earlier. I'll briefly summarize that request
and ask that that letter also be incorporated into the
record by reference.
And the waiver is of 1 90, 1 98, which requires a maximum.
Number of six parking spaces on the site, or 1.9
space.
Per unit times three units for a multi-family development.
The plan proposes a total of nine parking spaces.
One garage and one driveway space per unit, plus an
additional three. We we'll call 'em visitor parking spaces.
In our opinion for a development, this size nine parking
spaces is appropriate to help accommodate any visitors.
Visitors to the site and prevent any on-street parking.
In summary, we believe our subdivision planning and conditional use
permit, conform to the city Nashua land use code.
We've reviewed the staff report and are in agreement with
staff's recommended conditions of approval. And at this point, I'd
be happy to answer any questions that the board may
have.
Thank you.
Questions from the board.
Seeing none at this time. Thank you.
I would love like to open this up to the
public. Is there anyone here this evening that would like
to speak in opposition or concern?
With this application.
Okay. Seeing none. Is there anyone in the audience that
would like to speak in favor of this application?
What if we just have a question.
Of what was just said.
I, I would say I would classify that opposition or
concern, but it's okay. You're more than welcome to take
the podium if you'd like and ask.
You would've to come up just for the record. So
it's recorded and you can direct, you could direct your
question to the board, but it would be incumbent upon
the applicant to actually respond.
My name is Melissa. And my address is 10 new
street. Just had a question pertaining to.
The
amount of vehicles that would be traveling up and down
the street. I thought I heard one in the morning,
two in the evening.
We just wondered how that came about.
I don't know if I heard that correctly or not.
The applicant can certainly respond to the traffic documentation that
was provided. So he'll be given that opportunity. So he
will, he will address that. Okay. And then I, I
guess, did you have any other questions or, or comments.
Comments on the testimony.
I think that's it for now. It was it. Okay.
All right.
So, I guess we're, we're still in the, in the
public.
Hearing. So is there anyone else in the audience that
would like to speak on this application?
Okay. You see none.
Mr Beals, would you like to come up and address
the comment related to traffic?
Thank you.
Sure. As I had mentioned earlier, a traffic memorandum was
prepared by professional engineer. Steve Perna, as the board knows
traffic is typically measured in am peak hours and PM
peak hours.
The numbers I had stated earlier in my presentation reflect
the values.
Of the additional traffic generated by the proposed development.
In the peak hour in the peak hour is the
hour essentially that the roadway is the busiest. The nearby
roadway network is the busiest in during the morning. And
during the afternoon, the numbers stated earlier, don't reflect the
total volume of traffic.
Coming from the site throughout the day.
But rather traffic is typically measured in the am and
PM peak hours.
Thank you for the clarification.
We kindly request that we silence.
Any, any devices that we have, please? Thank you.
Other questions from the board at this time.
Mr chair. Yes.
More of a common, I guess. So.
This Street's a dead end street. So just in terms
of maintenance for snow and that sort of thing, I,
I imagine it must be challenging for the public works.
Vehicles, you know, they gotta push snow somewhere and they
gotta be able to turn around at the end of
the street. So I just.
I know we're not undertaking a full site plan review
tonight.
But I would just seek to address that later, I
guess, with the.
A driveway permit stage or something like that with the,
with the applicant. So I just wanna note it as
a potential cur concern that needs to be addressed at
some point in the future.
Do you did Mr. Hudson, do you think that's worthy
of potentially adding as a condition applicant to work with?
Staff regarding I would, yeah. With public works.
Yeah, I would, I would welcome a condition like that
just to, I, I haven't.
Haven't I haven't dreamed up an answer. I don't know
what currently occurs. If people turn around the driveways, they
turn around the driveways now, or, or how it works.
Exactly. But I do see that as an issue on
this dead end with no cold sack or turnaround, which
I'm I'm is no, not probably you unique in the
city, but.
Definitely makes things difficult for.
For public works operations.
Do do you happen to know how they're handling it
now as an existing public way or.
I do not. No, I do not.
It, it seems like there's there's opportunity for, for discussion.
So, so maybe no way to no way to do
anything with it. I don't know. I just.
You know, may, maybe it's a simple as permission to
be able to turn around in the driveway. That's gonna
be created.
I don't know the answer to that, but I, I
would wish welcome a further discussion.
So I won't, we won't.
Won't hold 'em hostage, so to speak, you know, on
whatever the end result is, but I would appreciate an
opportunity to have that.
Direct discussion later with the applicant.
Thank you, Mr. Deals. I would imagine you're open to
having a discussion with happy to have the public parts.
Okay. Thank you. Very good. Thank you.
All right. Thank you, Mr. Hudson. Thank you. Other questions
from the board at this time.
All right. Scene. None.
I'm gonna close the public hearing.
Go into our, our deliberation.
This one, this one seems.
I need to use the term, but kind of straightforward
other than the, the snow.
Removal potential, but it seems like there's, there's at least
a conversation to be had on that.
So I wouldn't certainly want to see something like that.
You know, halt this, but obviously I'd love to, to
hear back from the board and see if there's any
other issues or concerns that you may have.
I just have a question for staff once, please.
Just in terms of the.
Decorder of, of taking a motions.
Motions. I just want to clarify, are you envisioning that
we would.
Take up the, the one waiver for the subdivision and
then the subdivision approval.
Then the one waiver related to the conditional use permit
and the conditional use permit approval. Is that what you
had in mind or I just wasn't sure if we
should take those waiver requests separately, given that the.
The two were sort of depended on one another.
So the, I believe the conditional use is the first
item at hand. That'd be a waiver to the conditional
use criteria.
And then a determination on conditional use approval.
And then subsequently the subdivision waiver and the subdivision approval.
Good question. Okay. So it's the.
The subdivision approval has be granted first, not the conditional
use permit. Got it. Conditional use first. I'm sorry. Con
conditional use subdivision first subdivision subdivision. First subdivision first. Okay.
We're all learning. Okay. Thank you. Thank you.
All right.
All right now that we have our, our, our PS
and QS in order.
Is Eddie would any member of the board be willing
to.
Make a recommendation or make a motion.
Regarding the, the C
U P application the subdivisions. Oh, the subdivision chief. Now
I screwed it up too. All right. Pardon me? The
subdivision Mr. Chair.
So I would first make a motion as to the
one waiver request.
Relating to the subdivision plan. So.
Specifically that is a wave of request from section.
One 90 dash 2 82 with respect to showing existing conditions
within a thousand feet.
And that motion would be to.
Grant that waiver of request based on a finding that
strict conformity would pose an unnecessary hardship.
And that the specific circumstances of the, the application.
Indicate that granting the waiver will still allow for carrying
out the spirit and intent of the regulation.
Alright, thank you. Motion by Mr. Varley with respect to
granting the waiver for the subdivision plan.
Is there a second.
Second by Mr. Hirsch.
Any further discussion.
All those in favor.
Aye. Aye. Aye. Motion passes.
Passes. Would you like to continue? Yes.
And just a quick question for Mr. Hudson, does it
matter from your perspective that additional.
Condition relating to the snow plowing.
Do you view that more appropriately as a condition to
the subdivision plan or the conditional use permit?
I was, I was trying to say that in my
own head too. I think maybe the subdivision cuz regardless
of what use was.
Done on that lot. We'd want to have that same
discussion maybe. Right. Even if it was a single, single
family.
Lot. So, so I think it's more appropriate for the
subdivision, but I yield to staff if that's not appropriate.
Okay. Makes sense to me. I would agree. Okay. Thank
you.
All right. With that clarification, I would then.
Make a motion to
grant
final subdivision approval with respect to.
Sorry, I'm just case number here.
Case a 25.
Dash 0 42.
With a finding that the application does meet the requirements
outlined in subdivision NRL, section one 90 dash 1 38 G.
With
subsequent conditions as falls.
Follows a through E is written in the staff report.
And then a new, newly added.
Subsequent condition indicating that the applicant shall work with staff
from the department of public works.
To develop a plan for snow removal on the site.
Thank you motion by Mr. Barley. Is there a second?
Second by Mr. Hirsch.
Any further discussion.
All those in favor.
Aye motion passes.
Passes, I guess.
Next would be
yeah. No. So the waiver motion on the waiver? Yeah,
for the C U P. Okay.
Okay. So
I would next make a motion.
To approve the waiver request with respect to the conditional
use permit.
Specifically
a request from, for a waiver from.
Section 1 98 dash one 90 to allow nine parking spaces
where otherwise a max move six would be permitted.
And again with the finding that strick and formative impose
an unnecessary hardship.
And that the specific circumstances or conditions.
Of the site indicate that granting the waiver will allow
for properly carrying out the spirit and intent of the
regulations.
Thank you.
Motion by Mr. Varley. Is there a second?
Second by Mr. Green.
Further discussion.
Actually just had one from staff that the, the.
Land use matrix table.
Is in section 1 98, 1 90, but is the waiver actually being
sought from one 90?
2 71. I
the waiver is to.
One 90 dash 2 82, I'm sorry, one 90 dash 2 7 1
I two.
In that language reads.
Reads, I can just find it.
That language reads, individual parking loading spaces.
To be noted, required and provided.
Provided. And so since they were providing.
More than what's allowed. We referenced the.
Other section of the code specific to parking matrix.
Okay. No, and, and I appreciate that, but, but I
just, as a matter of citation,
in the motion. It, it is is the waiver from
section one 90 dash 2 71 or do so that would
be okay.
Understood. Thank you.
Mr. Barlow, would you mind restating that motion? Just.
Sure. I, I, I think I, I can just clarify
that.
The, the waiver itself is from one 90 dash, 2 71.
I.
In terms of establishing the.
The maximum parking standard. Okay.
Excellent. Thank you very much. You're welcome.
Mr. Green, would you move on this? No, sir. All right.
Seconded by Mr. Green. All right. Further discussion.
All those in favor.
Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Motion passes.
Passes. Thank you. Thank you.
All right. All right. And then.
Take the, the left to prove the piece. Yes. Yes.
Yep.
So final motion on this, this set of, of applications.
So as to
case number a 25 dash 0 43.
Conditional use permit.
I would make a motion to approve that application.
Finding that it meets the requirements outlined in section one
90 dash 1 33.
And with
subsequent conditions as listed a through I in the staff
report.
Thank you. Motion by Mr. Barley.
Grant conditional use permit approval. Is there a second, second
by Mr. Green?
Any further discussion.
All those in favor. Aye. Aye. Motion passes.
Passes. All right. Moving along.
On your new business subdivision plan.
Property is located 3 38, 3 40. Can you go Amherst street in
16 airport road?
Mr chairman, I'm gonna, but prior to reading it. Okay,
thank you, Larry. For the record, Mr. Hirsch is recusing
himself when.
The next two cases.
There's an associated site plan.
With same property.
Subdivision plan is case a 25 dash 0 46.
And the site plan is case number 8 25.
Dash 0 0 4, 4.
At the board's discretion.
We could potentially take both of these at the same
time.
And if any member of the board is willing to
make a motion.
Regarding completeness and acceptance over those two cases.
Feel free to go for it.
Ms. Harper, Mr. Chair, please. Yes. In regards to new business
subdivision plans case a 25 dash 0 46.
And
new business site plans case a 25 dash 0 0 4 4.
I'd like to make a motion to take Juris addiction.
Alright, thank you. Motion by Ms. Harper. Is there a
second?
Second by Mr. Barley.
Garland any further discussion.
All those in favor. Aye. Aye. All right, Mr. Trough,
let's go right ahead.
Good evening, Mr. Chairman members of the board.
My name is Jim Petros. I'm a professional engineer with
Haner Swanson.
Three Congress street, Nashua, New Hampshire tonight representing the law of
family companies.
Brian law is the president. Brian joins us this evening.
It's just read into the record. We have two cases.
With the chair's permission. I'll talk about the lot land
relocation plan first.
And then move into the site plan.
We're here tonight, discussing properties at 3 38.
3 43 50 Emer street and 16 airport road.
Three of the four properties have frontage on Amherst street
and over the GB general business zone.
The other lot.
Is long airport road is.
In the park industrial zone.
Currently these buildings, each lot houses, a building.
Lot 98 includes the former.
Global building that will be the subject.
Of our redevelopment application this evening.
Next to it. Lot 97 is the former lead lanes
building.
About 4 79 is the recently.
Constructed retail restaurant development.
And as I mentioned, the airport road parcel as well.
These are very visible sites. I'm sure everybody has been
by them to see them. They're fully developed.
Fairly flat sites fully.
Utilized, we do have coal rain Brook behind two of
the three, two of the four lots.
Lots that flows in an Easter redirection.
The lot line relocation plan is up on the screen
right now. And it's a simple plan that looks to
just move lot lines slightly.
Between these buildings to ensure conformance with side yard setbacks.
Setbacks, not only for this particular.
Action on lot 98, but also for a future site
plan that will be coming forward.
On lot 97 later this summer.
These lot line changes will make each of the four
lots conforming of course.
Law Realty company, law family company will own these lots.
Lots and as part of a staff comment,
they've asked to put a, a document on record.
Essentially saying that if they were to sell one of
the parcels.
Parcels that the cross access and parking and utility easements
would be.
Perfected. And we were fine with that.
There are no impacts with the lot line plan to
any public street. We have requested one waiver. Mr. Chairman,
famous section 1 92 81.
Survey within Jason parcels within a thousand feet. And similar
to the case before you.
We seek that relief.
With regard to the site plan.
The site plan that we've submitted focuses on the newly
created lot 98, the former global building.
And there are two purposes.
Purposes for why we're here this evening.
First it's being proposed to change the use.
From a 12,500 square foot. One story building from indoor.
Recreation to a medical services building.
Which is an allowed use.
In the GP zone. And then the second is to
show minor site improvements to complement this new use.
The medical services will go into the building. This is
not a tear down. This is not a new construction.
This is a redevelopment of that building.
The medical use is intended to be a free-standing emergency
room.
It will provide the same type care as a hospital
emergency room.
And this use is slightly different than.
Urgent care facilities that you might be familiar with.
They contain advanced equipment and they contain a higher level
of care.
Urgent care. You may have a cold or a flu
or an ankle sprain. You would go there.
This type use is servicing.
Cardiac arrest stroke, broken bones or trauma.
It is a 24 7 facility.
Over the course of the day, they would have 30
staff members.
And on a typical day, they see approximately 30 patients.
Patients, the average length to visit is between 90 and
120 minutes.
And there's no overnight stay at this facility.
So that's the ch the change of use piece of
this.
Second piece of the site, improvements that go along with
it and you can make it those out on the
site plan.
We're maintaining our right turn in, right. Turn out. Curb.
Cut on Amber street.
We are planning for future driveway connections to the west.
Through the little lane site.
And through the recently constructed law retail site.
To create that interconnectivity between these three Amer street, lots.
Lots. And what that does is allow.
Patients or visitors or staff.
Looking to head west on Amer street because Amer Street's
a divided way.
To work through the law sites to am airport road,
take a right, get to Amherst street at the signal.
In head west.
The parking lot will be reconstructed 31 spaces are required
by code or proposing 46.
Behind the building is a covered ambulance.
Access to the building. There's also a dumpster and a
generator PA pad in the back of the site as
well.
Utilities will remain. There'll be new signage, new lighting, new
landscaping.
With regard to stormwater currently.
This site, just chief James, right into Cole, rain Brook
in the back.
In redevelopment sites, we're looking to improve.
The condition, we do have more open space than the
current condition, so that will help quantity wise.
Quantity-wise quality-wise we didn't have a lot of options. We've
got high ground water out there. We've got some suitable
soils.
Soils we're proposing a mechanical device.
That will seek to remove a lot of the particular
that comes off of parking lots, such as this.
Traffic Mr. Chairman, your favorite subject.
Is a traffic report was submitted.
As part of our application.
They're very low numbers, 27 trips in the am. Peak
30 trips in the PM. Peak.
PMP about 450 trips trips overall.
And they're replacing again, a rec indoor recreational.
Facility. So a full store.
Traffic study was not warranted.
Building elevations Connor. If you could call up, there's a
couple graphics on the buildings.
Buildings really just an enhancement of the building that exists
out there right now. New doors, new windows.
New canopies.
Screening of the HVAC units on top of the building.
We're
it's it's viewed as a, a pretty good improvement architecturally.
Over what's there today. The site plan contains two waiver
items.
The first is survey 1 92 79.
Survey within a thousand feet that you're familiar with.
The second is certain architectural standards, dimensional standards, building materials.
Materials as an example, Mr. Chairman, the, the code requires
a customer of entrance off of public street.
The entrance to the building is inward it's facing towards
the lead lane site. We're looking to maintain that. So
we have an architectural waiver letter as well.
With permission. This evening work is expected to start this
fall of 2025 with an opening in 2026.
We believe our applications conform to the national land use
code.
The conditions of approval as outlined in the staff report
are acceptable to our client.
And we respectfully seek your approval this evening.
And I'm happy to answer questions.
Questions. Thank you.
Questions from the board.
Mr barley, please. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Just I'm curious, given the nature of the use.
Where it's gonna be a healthcare facility.
Do is there.
Is the proposed
tenant already in the process of seeking licensure for the
facility? Yes, sir.
In is there, I'm assuming you've got some process by
which the.
The development is conditioned upon them receiving that approval or
how, how are you anticipating that would work. Yes. Yes.
Yes.
Thank you.
There's certain state for everybody else. There's certain state approvals
associated with a facility such as this they're going through
that process now.
Other questions from the board.
I just have one question. You had mentioned that.
That predominantly there, the cases that would be coming and
could be like, you know, heart attack or what have
you. So.
At the, this facility, they would be doing the initial
treatment. Yes. And then moving them to the hospital. Yes.
At that point. Okay. Yeah. Thank you.
Thank you.
Other questions from the board at this time.
Okay. Scene none. Thank you. Thank you. We'll open this
up to the public. Is there anyone in the audience
that would like to speak in opposition or with concern
to this application?
Is there anyone in the audience I would like to
speak in favor of this application.
Seeing none. I'll toss it back to the board. One
more time.
Any further questions from the board.
All right.
At this time I will close the public hearing. We'll
go into our deliberation.
My general thoughts.
Thoughts will be on the waivers at least.
We do see the thousand foot come up a lot.
The architectural.
I'm a little less concerned with, if.
If, if it helps them sort of salvage.
You know, kind of the core of the building there.
I wouldn't want to force him to swing the door
and.
If it's front facing to Amherst street, that's not necessarily.
Appealing for folks that
may seek care there. So.
My, my, my, my short 2 cents for now. But obviously
I'd love to hear from the board, if you have
any other thoughts or, or comments on this.
Seeing none.
The fun stuff. So
I think similar to
the last case.
We would want to take up the lot line.
Adjustment first. So that would be case a 25.
Dash 0 46.
And firstly, we would need to address.
The waiver related to, to.
The thousand foot property line. Excon.
Is any member of the board willing to make a
motion?
Regarding the waiver request.
On the subdivision plan.
Mr. Riley.
Yes, Mr. Chairman, I would make a motion to.
Grant the waiver request with respect to the lot line.
Application a 25 dash 0 46.
That
request being for a waiver from one 90 dash 2 82,
BK nine.
Relating to showing existing conditions within a thousand feet.
And that motion to approve would be with a finding
that strict conformity would pose an unnecessary hardship.
And that the specific circumstances or conditions of the site.
Indicate that the granting of the waiver will.
Allow for properly carrying out the spirit intent to the
regulations.
Thank you motion by Mr. Barley. Is there a second?
Second by Mr. Green.
Any further discussion.
All those in favor. Aye. Aye. Motion passes.
Passes. Would you like to continue Mr. Barley? Sure.
So I now like to make a motion to grant
final approval.
As to case a 25 dash 0 46. Again, the lot
line.
Adjustment and
that would be a fine with a finding that the
plan does meet the, the criteria outlined in subdivision, NL
section 19 dash one 30 ag.
G sub subject to the following.
Subsequent conditions that are listed in the.
Staff report a through E.
Thank you. Motion. Aye. Mr. Barley, is there a second?
Second by Mr. Green.
Any further discussion.
All those in favor.
Aye. Aye. Motion passes.
Passes. So next would be taking up the site plan
application case 8 25 dash 0 44.
And we would need to.
Address.
Two waiver request first.
Any member of the board willing to.
Make a motion regarding the waiver request.
For case 8 25 dash 0 4 4.
Mr barley, please. I might as well. keep going
along here.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would make a motion as to 8 25.
0 0 4, 4.
With respect to the two requested waivers to.
Make a motion to approve.
Both. And those are specifically.
A waiver request from section one 90 dash 2 79, EE.
Again, relating to showing existing conditions on adjacent parcels.
Parcels and second
from section one 90 dash 1 72.
To waive certain architectural standards for non-residential buildings.
Buildings, including requirement to have customer entrances on all sides.
And as to both of those.
Waiver requests, the motion we've made with the finding that
strick conformity would pose a unnecessary hardship.
And that the specific circumstances or conditions of the site.
Indicate that granting the waivers.
Waivers will still allow for properly carrying out the spirit
and intent of the regulations.
Alright, thank you, Mr. Barley.
Motion by Mr. Barley, is there a second?
Second by Mr. Hudson.
Any further discussion.
All those in favor.
Aye motion passes.
Passes. Do you want, I'll close it out. Mr. Chair.
Okay. Sure. Yeah.
Again, as to new business, a 25 dash 0 44.
Site plan. I would like to make a motion.
To grant final approval.
And that final approval would be.
With the subsequent conditions.
Listed a through M in the staff report.
Mr actually should second it before we discuss it or,
oh, it was just gonna say motion by Mr. Barley.
Yeah, I think you should second it, oh, I'll second
it. And second, second. Can I speak to my second?
I'll second by Mr. Hudson. Any further discussion? Yes. Mr.
Hudson, please. Yes, please. Mr. Chair.
Condition E can be struck because the traffic related.
Comment that Wayne husband had was, was incorporated in item
B.
Okay. Condition D so that, that, that E can go
away and reembered accordingly.
Okay. I, Mr. Chair, I will.
Amend my motion with that clarification.
Still being an approval.
With subsequent conditions, but
removing original condition.
E and re lettering accordingly.
I'll re second that motion, Mr. Chair. All right. Motion
by Mr. Varley. Second by Mr. Hudson.
Any further discussion.
All those in favor.
Aye motion.
Motion passes. Thank you very much.
Moving along.
Just so folks, if anyone was here for 55, a
middle unstable road,
that case has been postponed will not be heard this
evening.
Next case under new business case number a 25 dash
0 31.
Property is located at 46 and eight domain avenue.
Has any member of the board reviewed that application is
willing to make a motion regarding completeness and board acceptance
of projects.
Projects Mr. Chair, Ms. Harper, please. I'd like to make
a motion to take jurisdiction of case new business site
plans case a 25 dash 0 0 3 31. Alright, thank you, Ms.
Harper in there a second.
Second by Mr. Hirsch.
Any further discussion.
All those in favor.
Aye. Aye. And also just note for the record, Mr.
Hirsch has rejoined us for, for this case.
The floor is your, is us introduce yourself and tell
us a little bit about what's going on over on
domain. Good evening, everyone. My name is Dan Borowski I'm
with Fieldstone land consultants. I'm here tonight on behalf of
Gina Mac property Cing site plan approval.
Or an amended site plan approval for four, six, and
eight domain development.
This plan, this site plan was approved in 2022.
And we're seeking a small.
Amendment here. The changes are really a decreased.
Front setback on the Western units.
G through
G through M I'm sorry, small font and, and it,
and it decreased rear setback for the.
It's the units in the PI mu district.
U district on the Western of the lot.
The front impact would be reduced from 30 feet to
about 18 feet. And the rear setback would be reduced
from.
20 feet to about 10 feet.
We had originally submitted a, a variance for this request,
but then staff directed us that sense we're requesting this.
In the P I M U district at this board
is really the proper avenue to, to seek this relief.
Because you have the ability to vary the dimensional requirements
for this district.
So along with this change, we've, you know, this change.
Team about with about 4,000 extra square feet of impervious
area. So we've extended the.
The trench in the rear of the property for stormwater
drainage.
Accordingly. And we've submitted a stormwater letter to that effect.
We've also added some plantings for the front and rear
of the lot as well.
And in addition to those changes, we've also removed the
decks off the front of the lots to.
Kind of decrease the impact that we're having on the
setback.
But overall, we think that this would make for a
much more uniform.
Looking building and a much more marginable site.
So I'd be happy to answer any questions.
Questions. Just a couple of quick ones, if I may.
So the number, number of units that were originally proposed
is not James. Exactly the same. We are originally proposed
units.
So
this was the approved site plan from 2022. And you
can see that there are much smaller units.
On the Western side of the lot.
So the, the main complaint that the development across the
street has gotten is that the living rooms are pretty
small. So.
We'd like to just mirror or use the same exact
building footprint on the east side of the lot as
the west side of the lot.
Okay, thank you for that clarification. And I, I guess
my, my one follow up would be despite the increase
in impervious, it doesn't look like you're seeking any waivers.
So.
Dimensionally. This is still all within. Yep.
Within the ordinance. It, it is. We still meet the
impervious for each zone.
And storm water, the increase the storm water was handled
with just a, a slight increase in the.
Proposed measures that were already proposed.
Okay, thank you.
Questions from other members of the board.
Mr. Hudson, please.
Thank you, Mr. Chair, you may have mentioned it, but
you are. You're removing all the decks too. Is that
true? Yeah, we've removed them. Okay. Correct.
And I would just know that this latest plan, I
think, engineering received on Monday. So we haven't had a
chance to fully re review it.
We received the one plan.
Not a full set. So, you know, the, the, the,
the notation about.
We've extended the
you know, stone trench and this, that, and the other
thing, we just, there's some final details that we need
to work through. We didn't, we did not in issue
a letter and there was a condition in the report.
I would just.
Ask that would be provided.
An opportunity to further consult with, with the applicant.
Just to confirm that everything's been addressed. I.
Seems to make sense. It doesn't seem like a whole
lot of additional impervious. So it sounds, I.
Concur that probably they adequately addressed it, but we just
wanna see those details before we sign off. So I,
I appreciate that. And Mr. Hudson, do you think that
should be yeah. Explicitly as a condition? Yeah. Condition C
referencing an anticipating E email from one hus and we
have an issued one. So.
I just revise that to be something like, you know,
final plans to be
addressed. I mean, previous comments to be addressed as satisfaction,
I guess.
All so potentially see, see, I think there was an
outstanding comment from the previous, right.
Approval, which hasn't been fully dressed made. Oh, actually they're
changing things. So anyway, we gotta address.
We need to go through and dot the dot the
I cross Ts. So some condition to that effect, we,
we could wordsmith condition, see a little bit, I think,
in a way that would satisfy public works. Yeah. Appreciate
that. Thank you.
Excellent. Other questions from the board Ms. Harper, please. Yes.
Thank you, Mr chair, just curious. Are there any other
major changes to the exterior of the building besides.
It's removing the decks that we should be aware of.
Nope. Just making the, the smaller unions larger and removing
the decks. And we added some landscaping in front of
the buildings.
Buildings. So that would be different than the previous plan,
correct? We, and so where the decks were, we had.
Okay.
Revised and added some more shrubs to, to increase the
screening.
Understood. Thank you. I guess, as a follow up to
that, when a full plan set is completed, we'll revise,
architectural. Be part of that.
Place or yes, they, they can be because we've already
submitted the architecturals I believe for the.
Eastern half and we're proposing the same, you know, same
building.
Yeah, I would just kindly request the next submittal to
the city is and complete plan set, full, full plan
set. Yes, sir. Helpful for everybody. So.
Other questions from the board.
All right. Seeing none at this time. Thank you for
your testimony. I'm gonna open it up to the public.
Is there anyone in the audience that would like to
speak in opposition or with concern to this application?
Seeing none.
Is there anyone that would like to speak in favor
of this application?
Go back to the board. One more time.
All right.
At this point, I am gonna close the public hearing.
We'll go into our deliberation.
I, I think overall to me, this seems like.
Barely minor changes that that said I don't want to
deny.
Dan and his staff.
A full lighted, the apple. So I, I think Dan,
thank you for pointing that haven't had a chance yet
to review a full plan. So.
But just based on the prior history with, with this
application, I, I would hope that.
There's there's nothing too severe that they can't be worked
through, but obviously I'd like to hear from other members
of the board.
If you have any additional thoughts on this one?
Mr barley, please. No specific thoughts. Just a question for
staff. Mm-hmm .
In, in terms of the.
Dimensional modification.
I just wanna clarify that this is.
The standard here is not.
The waiver standard, but it's just.
We're determining that the
the modification is consistent with the site suitability standards. Is
that right?
Yeah, the site suitability, you're going into two different setbacks
and you're enlarging the building a bit. So that will
fit under that category. Right. Thank you.
Thank you.
Other questions or comments?
Comments scene none.
Would any member of the board, I guess.
I guess we're looking for two separate motions here. One
would be to grant the first would be to grant
the dimensional modifications approval.
And member of the board.
Feel comfortable making a motion.
Regarding the dimensional modification approval.
Mr. Barley. Yes. Mr. Chair.
So as to new business, a 25 dash 31 site
plan amendment.
I would first make a motion to.
Grant the requested dimensional modification.
In particular in reliance on the.
Applicant's site plan suitability report dated April 25th, 2025.
And finding that granting this modification will be consistent with
the.
Site suitability standards under section one 90 dash 23 F.
Thank you. Motion by Mr. Varley. Is there a second?
Second by Mr. Hirsch.
Any further discussion.
All those in favor.
Aye. Aye. Motion passes.
Mr. Barley. I hate to do it to you, but
would you, would you care to continue? Yeah, I'm on
roll here. All right. Yeah. So as to do business,
a 25 dash 0 3 0 0 3 1 site plan amendment.
I would like to make a motion now to grant.
Final approval for
the amendment
and that.
Motion was with the finding that the application does meet
the requirements outlined in section one 90 dash 1 46 D.
Subject to several subsequent conditions.
And I would like to.
Reference
conditions a through F in the staff report, but with
the following modification to.
Condition letter C
so removing the, the current.
Condition and replacing it with.
all outstanding comments from.
The city engineering department to be addressed to the satisfaction.
Of the division of public works.
And that will again, replace the existing language for item
C.
Okay, thank you. Motion by Mr. Barley. Is there a
second?
Second by Mr. Hudson. Any further discussion, Mr. Hudson, please.
Yes, Mr. Chair, I would just.
Suggest, maybe we modify that revised condition to be that
they submit a complete set of revised plans.
Plans and that any subsequent.
Comments.
By engineering, the address to the satisfaction of division of
public works.
So essentially the same thing, but just denoting the fact
that they needed to submit a complete sentence plans, which
will be helpful for us to be able to provide
that review.
Absolutely. So I will go ahead. Amend my motion.
Consistent with what was already made.
But with a slight modification to my newly added.
Condition C to indicate that the, the applicant.
Shall first submit a complete plan set.
And then any comments resulting from the submission of that
plan set.
By the engineering department.
Shall be addressed by the applicant to the satisfaction of
the division of public works.
Mr. Barley, you guys are by modified his motion.
Is there a second, second by Mr. Hudson.
Any further discussion.
All those in favor. Aye. Aye. Aye.
Motion passes. Thank you very much.
Accused. Understood. Thank you.
I'll just mention that. Certainly.
All right, moving along before we, we take our next
case.
Under new business site plan. Mr. Barley is gonna recuse.
Yes. Thank you, Mr chair. Thank you.
Next item on the agenda case number a 25 dash
zero.
Six six.
It's got a very long description. Sam, you just want
to call it the Mohawk site. All right. The Mohawk
site.
Any member of the board I re reviewed this application
and is willing to make a motion regarding completeness acceptance.
Mr. Green. Go right ahead, please. Thank you, Mr. Chair, a
new business.
Project a 25.
Six six.
Has the, I have to learn that it is complete
and we are ready to take jurisdiction open in public.
All right. Thank you. Motion by Mr. Green. Is there
a second?
Second by Mr. Hirsch, any further discussion.
All those in favor.
Aye. Aye. Aye. All right.
Motion passes.
Mr whisky, go, go right ahead. The floor is yours.
Yours. There we go.
Good evening, Mr. Chair and Madam members of the board.
My name is Brad Westgate. I'm a lawyer of the
wine men, 4 0 2 Amer street in Nashua representing Blaylock holdings,
LLC, which is the apple applicant for approvals on the
Mohawk Tanner read of development.
Tom Zaja who's the project engineer with Andrew Swanson apologizes for
not being here tonight, but he's happily represented by Jim
Polis, retrograde regret to note his scene.
What's before you tonight is actually a relatively simple request.
Mr. Chair.
The board in this board on June 20th, 2024. Granted for approvals
for the Mohawk trainer redevelopment, three subdivision approvals in one
site plan approval.
What we're here seeking tonight as Mr. Z Zaja outlined
in his letter that appended our application.
Is an extension for 36 months of the 12 month.
Approval timeframe that's set forth in section 1 46 E one
of the land use code.
That section states that if a site plan is approved,
a building permit needs to be issued within 12 months
of that site plan approval. Otherwise the site plan approvals
void.
It's interesting. These subdivision regulations don't have a similar 12
month requirement.
But section 1 91 46 E of the lane use code also
provides that the planning board may extend.
And pro pro approve a longer period. One margin by
economic.
Conditions development, phasing and other unique circumstances.
And simply put, we would respectfully request that the Mohawk
tannery redevelopment falls within that provision, given these other unique
circumstances at which would enable the planning board to extend
that 12 month timeframe.
Just a few more brief thoughts about it. If I
may, Mr. Chair.
The, there are a number of unique circumstances, frankly, a
multitude of them involved in this project. Obviously the site's
quite challenging.
And redevelopment is fully dependent on remediation of the environmental
conditions.
The EPA and D E S.
Have before at a, and have been involved with Mohawk
and its consultants, a substantial analysis of the remediation plan.
This is gone on offer a significant at period of
time. It involves literally week meetings be between bla law,
that consultants, EPA and D S and D's own.
Consultant that those approvals with EPA and DS are pending.
They're literally looking at a 2,400 page.
Package of a remediation plan with narrative plans.
Plans backup data and the like,
also the board of alderman, of course, has taken a
number of steps that.
Pertaining to this project and we're working with city staff
to finalize some additional.
Board of alderman matters for consideration.
Adding to these unique circumstances.
We're hopeful that the remediation work can actually begin in
earnest this summer, but it'll probably take a solid two
years.
Both to do the work and then enable EPA and
D S to inspect review and.
Sign off on the work. So that takes us 24
months. If you will, out of this 36 month.
Requested extension, but if all those timeframes hold then within
that last 12 months,
which takes us all the way to June of 2028,
the building permit issuance could be realistic as we noted
in Mr. Zaja, Mr. Zack's letter. So we would respectfully
request that that timeframe required under 1 9, 1 40 60 be extended 30.
Six months. So it runs to June.
20 2020, excuse me, 2028, as we've outlined in our
request.
Happy to answer any questions, Mr. Chair.
Thank you.
Actually, I may just put one to staff really quickly
just for, for clarification.
Are we, are we modifying the original approval from last
year? Or is this technically an extension? Does it matter?
Is that sort of a move point?
It, it is in a way, a moot point because
the effect is the same. Essentially you were, are not
granting an extension to the approval. Rather you are modifying
the 12 month approval window. That is typical by attacking
on another 36 months to that making a it a
48 months approval window.
So this is Le legally there's.
There's no difference as the outcome would be the same.
The, the approach is slightly different. And I would say
that the way that the code is written.
Grants this unique approach.
And given the unique circumstances associated with the site, this
seems to fit better just from a point of law
within the city's ordinance. Okay.
I, I appreciate that.
So, thank you.
That's all. I had questions from the board.
All right. None at this time.
I will, I will put this out to the public.
Are there any members in public here to speak in
opposition or with concern for this application?
Seeing none.
Are there any members of the public here this evening
that wish to speak in favor of this application?
Alright, seeing none, toss it back to the board. One
more time.
I think we're good. Attorney Westgate. Thank you.
This point I'll, I'll close the public hearing.
We'll go into our deliberation.
I, I, I think there's some level of appreciation here,
just, just for the amount of moving parts with, with
that site, you know, for, for obvious reasons, I think
we wouldn't want to make a habit of this, but
if there's one time where.
I think the longer time period should, should be considered.
It should be for something like this when you've got
other federal agencies involved. And I'm not sure what else
is going on with the land swaps and the easements
and things like that. I imagine there's, there's a lot
of details that you're typical application. Wouldn't not have.
But I, I would say I'd love to hear your
thoughts. If, if you have anything else to add on
that.
So
Ms. Harper. I, I would just agree with you, Mr. Chair.
I do think that in this case, this is an
appropriate amount of time, just because of all the work
that does need to be completed.
On the site. Thank you, Ms. Harper.
Other comments from the board at this time.
Let's see none.
Would any member of the board be willing?
To make a motion.
Regarding approval of this application, Mr. Green. Yeah. I would
like to make a motion.
For new business project, a 25 dash zero six, I'm
sorry. 0 66.
Six granting final approval for the modification of the 12
month time period.
As defined in one 90 dash.
46 E one to be extended by 36 months to
a 48 month period.
Allowing for allowing to receive the building permit without need
to apply further.
Further approval extensions.
Before 2028.
All sub conditions placed on the original final approval.
Granted in 2024 R to be incorporated in this new
final approval as conditions.
Thank you motion by Mr. Green. Is there a second?
Second by Mr. Hudson, any further discussion.
All those in favor.
Aye motion passes.
Passes. Thank you.
All right.
Next item on the agenda.
Case 8 25.
34.
Property located at Elkbrook road.
As any member of the board had an opportunity.
To review this application.
And is willing to make a motion regarding its completeness.
Sorry, Mr. Chair, did you want to note the I'm
back and Mr. Hudson is.
Certainly. Thank thank you Mr. Barley.
Pull it up here.
I'm sorry about that.
Has any member of the board?
Been able to review this application.
And is willing to make a motion regarding completeness and
the board taking jurisdiction over the application.
Mr chair.
I'd like to make a motion to take jurisdiction of
new business site plans, case a 25 dash 0 34.
All right, motion by Ms. Harper. Is there a second?
Second by Mr. Hirsch.
Any further discussion.
All those in favor.
Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.
is there any Proman the, the floor is here.
We finally request again, just for, for the board in
the hearing room, Mr. Coleman has every opportunity to present,
and if he has other experts on his team that
wish to present.
Everyone's gonna get a chance. So Mr. Foreman, attorney Coleman
Flores yours, please proceed.
Mr. Chairman members of the board. Good evening. My name
is Andy Pearlman.
Attorney with Prunier and Pearlman here at Nashua.
I am here tonight.
Presenting on behalf of the city with respect to the
Nashua rotary west.
Disc golf course. We believe that we, we have a
very good project to bring up a good amenity to
the city that doesn't exist in the city today.
We have a number of folks who will be addressing
the board.
Matt LeBlanc from public works is going to speak tonight
with words from.
Director photo who couldn't be here tonight. Who's not feeling
a hundred percent.
Mr. Metropolis, hangar Swanson, who seems to corner the market
on the board tonight.
Brendan Quigley is here. Brendan Quigley is our.
Wetland soil scientist, our, our wetlands expert from Gove environmental.
He's here to answer any questions. If the board should
have any wetlands related question, however, the wetland matters have
been addressed.
With the zoning board.
Dan Hudson is here as well. I think you folks
may know Dan Hudson.
Dan, if there are any questions with respect to the
traffic report that VHB prepared.
Dan can speak to those. I know we have a
number of other folks here tonight. We have some friends
from rotary, west Helen HARO, Janet Valk who wanna speak,
and we have other supporters as well. And Mr. Chairman,
if you indulge me, I do want to come back
as speak as a witness.
Because I, I came on the city's team in January, 2024.
And I, I had played one round of disc golf
with my family some years ago, but I've since learned
a lot about disc golf, how it works.
And I, and I do want to come back and,
and speak to the impressions that I've received. Just.
Learning and walking this golf courses.
If you're not familiar with disc golf, it's it's.
It's similar to regular golf.
Except displayed with disks. We some call them Frisbees, but
they're discs.
Discs players have a number of any up to 20,
some odd discs in their backpack or a cart that
they leg ground on, on, on the disc golf course.
And the disks are the different disks they're weighted. They're
shaped differently for driving.
Chip shots putting like very similar to golf.
And similar to golf. I'm terrible at both of these
sports.
Mr chairman. We know that there's opposition, there has been
opposition a along the way from through con Kong through
the zoning board.
But we believe we have a good plan that meets
code we can, and again, we can bring.
A project.
That a lot of people in the city want to
see.
You know, brought forth in, opened up as soon as
possible. So with that introductory remark, Mr. Chairman, if I
could have Mala blank from public works, address the board
for a moment, certainly. And I'll come back. Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Good evening. My name is Mount blank and I serve
as the operations manager for the division of public works.
I'm gonna read a statement from the director of public
works, who has been very passionate about this project.
But could not be with us tonight due to some
illness.
Thank you for the opportunity to present our application.
Of the many projects that I have led during my
tenure with the city disc golf has by far been
the greatest.
Potential to enrich the lives of all our residents.
Residents it is free. It can be played at any
age range and allows our residents to experience the beauty
of the wooded area in Robi park.
This project started with a petition of over 600.
Nashua residents asking the city to build this disc golf
course.
When these discussions begin back in 2020.
I had never even heard of disc golf.
But came to realize the popularity of this sport with
over 71 disc golf courses right here in New Hampshire.
This golf courses are building harmony.
With the surroundings and designate to protect the natural resources.
Resources, this course was designed by two world champion disc
golfers.
An expert course designers, Avery Jenkins and Simon lizard.
Mayor donas the board of public works and zoning board
unanimously supported this project.
I would like to thank.
Conservation commission chair, Sherry Dotsie for helping to move this
project forward in the natural west rotary for donating $30,000.
To help build this park in a country that is
currently so divided. It has been truly heartwarming to see
such a diverse.
In persistent group of disc golfers unite for the common
goal of building a golf.
Park where all residents are welcome.
Our team is here to answer your questions and work
with you to bring natural west rotary disc golf park
to Nashua.
National and next I'd like to introduce James PATAR Polis.
Polis. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you, Matt.
For the record.
I'm chip metropolis, professional engineer with Hainer Swanson, Inc.
And can everybody hear me back there? Is it okay?
Okay. Thank you.
So our company was initially hired.
Hired to locate survey wet flags on this subject site.
And since then we've been brought into.
To act as an engineering consultant.
To provide peer review of the plans, the application.
And to assist with the project permitting.
What I'd like to do tonight, Mr. Chairman.
Is
is give you a quick outline of the presentation. I'm
gonna give you a brief overview of Robie park.
I'm going to review the project's recent history.
I'm gonna give you a very quick crash course on
disc golf.
And then I'm gonna talk about the details of the
site plan.
There's quite a bit of information here.
I'll do my best to be both informative.
In expeditious.
When complete we, as a team will be available to
answer questions from the board.
And from the public
Roby park itself was purchased and developed in the early
1980s and sits at the corner.
Of spit brick road in east, Constable road in south
Nashua.
It's a uniquely shaped lot. You can see it in
the yellow outline there that measures 50 about 57 acres.
Located in the R 18 residential zoning district.
A butters to Robi park to the north of spit
Brook road, but then a across spit Brook. We have
the Huntington, we have world academy.
We have the church and we have a fire station.
To the east is Oak hill.
OQ in bay Ridge two multi-family residential developments.
To the south is undevelopable and in single family, lots
that, that reside on Southgate road. I believe.
And then to the west is east SSTable road with
sky meadow.
On the other side.
Rob park is an active public park. It is not.
Conservation land like a number of other properties.
In Nashua.
For the record, there is no legal deed restriction for
conservation.
Upon this property.
Now here in Nashua Robie park, as well as other
parks have hours of operation that are seven they're open
7:00 AM.
To 10:00 PM currently aerobic park.
The park contains.
Contains two softball fields, a children's play lot.
A sliding hill during winter.
Skating rink during winter.
Walking trails and two parking lots.
Lots. There's an upper parking lot at the corner up
on east uncivil road.
It contains about 26 parking spaces.
And then the main lot that you see a long
strip Burke road.
Measures about 55 parking spaces.
Please note that in addition to these two lots.
Lots there is public street parking.
Along a small section of east instable road. We know
east Huntsville road is a very serpentine road. We know
it's got guardrail, it's got some challenging curves.
Curves, but up near that east instable road parking lot.
There is parking provided probably in the five to six
parking spaces.
There's also parking on spit Brook road.
Just east of the entrance, into the main parking lot.
As can be seen on the aerial, the property contains
a combination of trees and open cover, open land.
The open land is predominantly in, in the north, the
play fields, the rec areas, the parking lots.
Lots that makes up about eight acres of the 57
acres.
The rest of it in the central part and in
the Southern part.
Of Robie park is currently wooded.
It. And I would say it's mature for us with
a combination of pine trees.
In hardwoods.
Next plan, please. Connor.
The property has some varying topographic conditions. It's fairly flat
in the playfield areas.
Areas, but we've got slumping land on the sides.
Which kind of creates a low valley in the middle.
If you've walked the trail errands trails through the property,
you walk through the low ends and you see kind
of the, the uplands on the, off to the side.
Over all. There's approximately a hundred foot grade change from
the low part of the site to the high part
of the site. So the site does contain some nice
topography.
It also contains, as I mentioned, walking trails, stonewalls.
Stonewalls in rock out, croppings in the back.
Wetlands have been flagged in accordance with local state and
federal jurisdiction.
Brendan Quigley joins us tonight. He is probably the most
well respected, certified wetland scientists in the state of New Hampshire.
And he's been involved in the project.
The main wetland.
Complex is a red maple swamp. That's really located in
the center part of the site.
It's fairly broad up near the back end of the
softball fields.
And then it narrows down into a water course that
flows south.
And then it broadens out again in the subtly part
of this property.
There's also two wetland channels, one from east Huntsville road
and one from about the midpoint of Oak hill.
Condominiums that that flow downhill.
Into this water course.
Lastly, there's three small wetland complexes in the extreme Southeast
corner of the property. And of course, you know, here
in Nashua,
these wetlands carry with it. A 40 foot 40 foot
buffer.
So that's Robie park.
Recent history of the project is outlined by Mr. Mr.
Proman briefly.
There's been a number of public meetings.
Meetings on this project, but none before this board.
Except for tonight.
So a quick recap as mentioned it started with a
grassroots movement, asking the city to build a golf course
on its public lands.
Lands D P w evaluated sites and determined. Rob park
was the best candidate.
Since then Nashua's put together a team to design and
permit this project.
Now because of the wetlands that I just described on
the property.
There were wetland impacts, wetland buffer impacts.
As a result of the project.
So the process started with the conservation commission.
After several lengthy meetings in sight walks, the process produced
the 22 vote.
For input to the zoning board of adjustment.
The application then went to the zoning board.
Where they received a unanimous.
Five zero vote. And I want to get the words
right here.
To work in a critical wetland buffer.
To remove trees, brush.
Install nine wooden pedestrian bridges.
Bridges T pads, disc chain baskets, directional signage, wetland markers.
Markers and trash barrels for a proposed 18 hole disc
golf course. That's what they permitted.
As a special exception, which is an allowed right.
Meeting certain conditions.
This vote by the ZBA addresses the environmental impact of
this project.
The next step in the process is here tonight before
you with a site requesting site plan approval.
I mentioned, I'll give you a quick crash course in
disc golf, cuz I've personally never played.
But I did brush up on the sport and this
is what I've learned. It's a fast growing sport throughout
the country.
Family friendly outdoor activity.
Played as Andy said very much like regular golf.
The standard disc golf course is 18 holes.
Players start out each row from a small team area.
Ting area six by 12 kind of gravel tee box.
And they play by throwing a disc.
Into a chain basket.
You add up the number of throws you have at
the end and that that's your score.
Groups of players range from one to four.
Typically it takes about two hours.
To play the 18 holes.
Okay. In disc golf and the players are guided through
the course with directional.
Signs for each hole.
With regard to the holes.
They're laid out for varying skill levels.
With safety in mind.
Minimal work to the land in much like regular golf,
a combination of trees.
Topography in wetlands.
Wetlands really provide for an interesting course.
Thank you, Connor. I just included some.
Basic pictures. I'll quickly go through those. I mentioned that
this golf target or the basket, you can see the
chain link basket. Apparently that's the target.
You'll see just below it disc golf signage, that would
be out through the course, identifying the hole in the
routing so that people know where they were going.
The backpack and he alluded to.
They also have something called a retriever.
Traver where if you throw it up in a tree
or if it goes into a wet area,
rather than going into those areas much like a golf
ball retriever, you can extend this device.
And grab your disc.
Next slide, please.
A couple more signs.
Signs. If you find somebody's disc, apparently in this industry,
it's unlike golf, or if you find a ball, you
put it in your pocket, but if you find disc.
They ask you to put it. They ask you to
put it back. So there's a lost and found bin.
As well, so thank you, Connor. If you can move
to the next one.
So now I'm gonna discuss the site plan, Mr. Chairman.
The project team has made an application to this Nashville
city planning board for a site plan approval of an
18 hole disc golf course.
On a portion of Robi park.
City outdoor recreation isn't allowed use in the R 18
zone.
Some elements of the project.
The project proposes to use the existing, upper parking lot.
Along east instable road.
As the main parking for this.
Activity, there'll be a small sign erected indicating that this
is.
Roby park disc golf course.
The site plan does show the routing of the various
holes.
As Andy Proman said, the course has been designed by
Avery Johnson and Simon. Zat both professional disc golfers that
have designed dozens of courses in the country.
The plan shows the approximate length.
In direction of each hole.
The starting point is up by that parking lot.
In the way the course is routed, it works in
a southerly.
Direction to start.
The layout eventually swings to the Southwest and it, there
are crossings.
Crossings of that center wetland area I described earlier.
And then the layout eventually.
Returns back to its point of origin of near the
parking lot.
It should be noted that the course was laid out.
With the intent of keeping and maintaining.
The current walking trails.
Trails through the property.
Walkers will have rights of way.
Okay. There are a number of disc golf courses in
this country.
Very similar situation in public parks with walking trails.
Trails, they can coexist.
Much like ski boarders, or snowboarders and skiers. Okay.
They can coexist safety is a concern. Absolutely. We're gonna
hear that tonight from the public. And I'll talk a
little bit about that.
How does the course get built? It'll get built.
By D P w
in console with the course designer.
The hole will be state. The center line of the
hole will be state erosion control measures.
Measures will be installed.
The course designer will identify.
Trees to be cut or trees in vegetation. Be selectively.
Limbed.
Minimal tree clearing is the goal.
However trees need to be cut so that the disc
golf.
Hole is safe and playable.
A number of failed trees will be chipped up and
pushed into the woods.
A number of fell. Trees will also be cut up
and used as stringers.
For the bridge crossings that I'll talk about in just
a minute.
If there is
any trees to be cut in the wetland or wetland
buffer area, which is allowed.
The stumps will not be removed in those areas.
Areas the plan uses the natural terrain. There'll be no
earth moving. No big grading.
Unlike a regular golf course.
The ground cover in chance is to keep the forest
floor.
Not owed lawns, not irrigated lawns.
Lawns, the construction is fairly simple.
A T PADD area six by 12.
A concrete post.
Were the dispatcher.
And the goal has been to minimize impacts through the
weapons.
Wetlands. I told you, there's a number of crossings.
Pricings of the wetlands. What was permitted by the zoning
board of adjustment was nine total crossings.
Crossings six of which are new three of which are
already existing crossings as part of the trail network.
The focus
in the intent of the design is to get the
disc golfers to use those bridges.
Bridges and not be walking haphazardly through wetland areas, and
they're gonna do that.
Through the combination of signage.
Of wetland markers.
Markers of clearly defining the areas where we want you
to keep out of.
And the goal would be to channelize players.
To these crossings.
The bridges themselves are much like a, a, a, a
wooded trail you might find in mine falls park, or
Beaverbrook.
The fell trees will be used as a base and
that wood planks nailed on top six feet wide.
Very minimal width.
Wetlands are defined as out of bounds on this golf
course, this disc golf course.
Okay. A couple things that D P w.
Is going to be doing as they manage this operation.
They're responsible for the maintenance of the disc golf course.
Not a private party, but city of Nashua.
RO park is for the public to enjoy. There are
no tee times.
There's a no litter policy.
Carry in, carry out. And you saw the sign in
one of the photos that reflected that.
Dogs on a leash are welcome into park as they
are today.
Disc golfers will be repeatedly told, stay out of the
wetland areas with signage.
As with all parks, no alcohol tobacco, or smoking on
the premises.
Premises in the course will be free to play.
The city of Nashua, D P w will implement the
following.
They'll conduct a course monitoring visit every year to this
golf course.
And see if there's any areas that are seeing.
Erosion where they will see any areas that.
Could be improved for safety.
Reestablish
the bridges and markers and other things that may have
come down during the year.
Supplemental planting. As I mentioned a minute ago.
Shall we all native species.
Installed in a consultation with the licensed wetland scientist.
Invasive species management.
And construction of best management practice shall follow the guidelines
as identified by the certified wetland scientist.
The D P w by controlling.
Disc golf can ensure that a tournament.
In the future would not be held the same weekend
as the softball tournament.
I'm gonna start parking in a minute.
But, you know, we want to make sure we don't
coincide tournament weekends so that there's.
There's an exacerbated problem.
And for those interested, a portajohn will be located near
the upper parking lot, along with.
Regular scheduled service.
The city hopes and the goal, it would be to
construct the course in 2025 with an opening in 2026.
I'm wrapping up soon, Mr. Chair, our action. Our, our
application also included a traffic and parking study prepared by
VHB.
VHP now, as you know, traffic and parking are two
different things.
Traffic with regard to traffic, they counted.
Trips at other
disc golf facilities here in New Hampshire to come up with
their baseline of anticipated trips.
Trips. They're talking about a normal weekday of 110 trips.
Trips total 20:00 AM peak 24:00 PM. Peak.
Those are considered minimal traffic.
Increases along such a collector route such as Pitt Brook
road.
Now, with regard to parking.
The parking study that was submitted, indicates that the disc
golf is expected to use between 23.
And 46 parking spaces during typical.
Conditions. It's the project's project team's opinion that there is
ample parking during normal play conditions.
However we understand Ruby. Park's a popular spot. It's a
popular destination.
D P w intends to closely monitor parking during the
first year of disc golf.
If, if successful
it's determined if it is determined that additional parking is
needed.
The city will address the issue.
I can tell you Mr. Chairman, that we've.
The design teams looked at two areas of expansion.
The upper parking lot. I told you contains 26 spaces
could be expanded to 60 spaces, an increase of 34.
That would not be an easy project. There's quite a
bit of topography up there.
That would be a challenging design, but.
There is the land to do it.
And if it's needed, that would be one area to
grow parking.
And then the second is along the main body of
parking.
Along spit brick road.
There's a small area.
East of the current parking lot that parking could be
expanded.
Without impacting the wet under the wetland buffer.
We had anticipate or estimate that to contain.
20 new spaces. So the site has the ability in
those two locations to add parking.
Why aren't we building those right out of the box?
Well,
they're expensive.
And we don't want to overbuild parking.
We wanna look at it for that first year monitor.
See what that right number is.
And then proceed. And of course, any type of.
Parking improvement would require us to come back to this
board for approval.
Okay. The application also included.
Included three waiver requests.
The first under 1 90, 1 60 posting of a bond.
Makes no sense that the city would have to post
a bond for their.
Construction of the disk golf course.
Second waiver 1 92 79 is a, a survey.
Requirement they're seeking waiver of that. And then under 1 90, 2 79,
EE, the survey.
Of all parcels within a thousand feet.
The submitted letter by D P w states, the reasons
and justifications.
In summary.
We believe the project is being designed.
In a, in a responsible way in accordance.
With the Nashua master plan.
And more importantly, in accordance with your national land use
code section 1 91 40 60 D.
As you know, there's 19 criteria for approving a plan.
It is our testimony this evening that we comply to
those 19 criteria.
The addition of a disc golf course at Robie park
truly provides an exciting programming opportunity for the city.
Staff has done a good job in their review. They've
identified a number of conditions.
That are of approval.
That are acceptable to the D P w.
And with that, Mr. Chairman, I've gotten through my notes.
I'd be happy to answer questions. If you do ask
me a question that, that I don't feel I'm qualified
or capable of answering.
I'm gonna call up some teammates and, and ask them
to, to answer questions. So thank you for your time.
Jim. Thank you. Just before we.
Open it up to the board. Was there anyone else
on the project team that was, that was.
Programmed to speak tonight or, or just on Q and
a. That was it. Okay. All right.
Questions from the board at this time.
Mr. Go ahead, please. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
And Jimmy did a good job of preempting, a bunch
of my questions to your presentation. So I appreciate that.
The, the one thing that I wanted to follow up
on at the moment was just.
To understand a little bit more.
You, you noted the issue about, or I should say
the, the sort of.
The design where the, the holes are gonna run.
Sort of parallel with the existing trail.
In a number of places.
With the, the expectation that those two uses can coexist.
And so I gather that there's not a proposal, for
example, to reroute the trail.
That it's gonna run through the course of the.
Of the disc golf course. So.
Can you just speak to that a little bit more
in terms of.
How the sort of
pedestrians on the trail.
Have the right of way, just practically on the ground
with sure. That looks like sure.
So that plays into the safety piece that we're all
concerned about.
The
the layout of the golf course.
Has tried to
first and foremost.
Have the, the existing trail crossings in the wetland locations.
Locations matched. Okay. As best we can.
I believe that there are also.
Areas where
the existing trail runs parallel to one of the frizz
disc golf holes.
The, the, the rules will be clear that they have
the right of way.
And presumably the, the users of the trail will, will
move forward to a safe position before.
The disc is thrown during construction. We, we, we discussed
that if we find.
That there's areas that are potentially blind spots.
That we would want to remedy that during construction, we
would wanna make sure.
That
that
visibility was improved so that.
The disc thrower can see that there's people actively walking
in that location. And then lastly, we, we, we, we
totally realize that there's a likelihood during construction, that some
of those trails.
Trails could be relocated. I noticed in the drawings that.
Some of the trails could very easily be.
Slightly modified. So they be.
They actually go behind a, a, a, a team area.
Or away from a basket area and, okay. So that,
that is potentially available as an option as you're actually
absolutely.
So my response is kind of a combination of, of
all those things. It's it's signage, it's awareness.
It's during construction, trying to minimize.
The, the blind areas as best as possible. Okay.
Thank you.
Other questions from the board Ms. Harper, please.
Yes. When you were talking about the bridges going, you
know, the new bridges that could be constructed over the
wetland areas.
Areas is that essentially gonna be walking between holes?
Is that, that, that area won't necessarily be part of
a hole.
It, it could be, yes. Some of the holes do
cross the wetland.
Complex. And so
the way it's been presented in the drawings is those
as I, I tried to talk a little bit about
that. Those crossings.
Crossings are either, I think there's three or possibly four
that already exist that are being maintained.
As trails would be within a hole.
The, the goal is to try to get people channelized.
Through, you know, 18 inch high staking or maybe some
low roping.
To keep people to walk through there, but they could
be.
Within a playing hole. Yes. And not necessarily in between
a, a teeing area and a, in a basket area.
I guess what I I think about is my own
golfing skills and Frisbee skills, and it flying into the
wetlands beyond.
I guess the roped areas. Yeah.
I mean, is there anything to help?
Yeah, help prevent that to some degree.
I'm not a disc golf course designer, so I I'm
sure there's science to it. And I'm sure there's metrics
to it.
And I do believe it's been taken into consideration, but
I'm not gonna stand here and tell you somebody's not
gonna throw something into a wetland, cuz they likely are.
Yeah. That point did come up during the conservation hearing,
you can walk in a wetland.
That's allowed.
Thankfully
through the main body of the course we're, we're, we're
working through kind of the narrowest part of the wetland,
which I think is, is, is, is helpful.
And then I spoke to and showed you. It's why
I brought the picture of those retrievers to hopefully get
people to.
Use those to get the disks out, but.
Again, the goal will be to minimize and it's gotta
be with signage and possibly enforcement. You know, that you've
gotta stay out of those areas, but.
I, I, I do think.
There will be discs thrown into wetlands. Yeah.
I think so, too.
I had one more question, please continue. And then just
as far as.
You know, monitoring parking going forward.
I mean, what does the parking look like now?
Before the disc golf is even open.
Yeah. I'm I know there's wonderful weather days where people
are actively using the park and softball is busy.
You know, we do have the non coincidental sports with
the winter sports. So they typically wouldn't. Wouldn't coincide.
We know Ruby park is a popular destination.
We think
that everyday play.
There'll be enough, there'll be enough parking for, and that's
why we wanna look at it and see it. And
they're gonna keep track of it and do parking counts
and, and then say, you know what? We don't want
a crisis. The DPW does not want to create a
problem at RO park. It's one of the gems in
the, the city. There's no doubt about it. It, so
if they find they need park, thank.
Thankfully we've got land to, to build the parking, but
they don't want to come out of the box over
building parking either.
So, yeah, sure. Peak days and.
You know, attorney Pearlman had an interesting.
Dynamic. He said to me that in preparing for this
evening,
he said one of the benefits here is that the
city's the owner.
And they can really do something about it and watch
this.
We know there's a very successful gas station on DW
highway, south BJ's gas. It's extremely popular.
And if you've ever been by there, it can get
really, really, really, really, really busy.
And yet there's little or no recourse. The city has
when people back out into the streets, but here.
By the city owning it. They, they can correct their
problems much readily.
Thank you. Thank you.
Mr. Green, please. I'm not very familiar with this park. Is
there a reason it's open from six a to 10
P instead of dust to Dawn? Or is that already
the Park's operating hours?
Yeah, I believe park hours in the city are fixed
at 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Okay, thank you. The site plan did have 6:00 AM to
did it 10:00 PM. Yeah.
Questions, other questions from the board at this time.
For attorney Pearlman.
Or public works either.
No. All right.
Scene none at this time.
Okay, Jim. Thank you. Yes. Thank you.
What I would like to do as you've seen the
prior cases.
You would like to open this up to the public?
Could I.
We usually do folks with opposition or concern.
Can I get a quick show of hands just to
gauge how many folks are here tonight to speak on
this application in opposition or with concern?
Okay. What I
am going to do just out of.
Due diligence.
I do just want to reiterate everybody that wants to
speak is gonna get a chance to speak.
What I would kindly request is to not duplicate things
which have already been stated. You're certainly more than welcome
to.
Have you turn at the microphone, say you're opposed to
the project for all the reasons previously stated.
Stated. The other thing I would mention is that there's
no need to read verbatim a letter, which is already
part of the record.
Like to try to limit this to about a half
an hour or so.
So the longer, the longer that you go, you're just
potentially taking away from your neighbor.
Obviously, as I mentioned earlier, the board has the right
to.
Stop hearing public testimony at 10 o'clock.
There is still other board business this evening beyond this
case.
That being said, I would kindly invite you.
You can form a line, however you wish to do.
So if you're able to stand.
But please just come up to the, to the podium,
introduce yourself for the record, please.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman members of the planning board, John Sullivan,
30 Holbrook drive, Nashua New Hampshire. And I also rise tonight.
As ward nine alderman, which Rob park sits within.
To speak concerns from residents that I've heard from.
And I also speak to appeal to your spirit of
compromise because I do have a solution.
To this, and I believe.
Could work for all parties involved, but first the disc
golf saga, as far as I know it.
Started in the summer of 2021.
When a group of disc golf enthusiasts approached the board
of public works in August.
At that midday meeting in the middle of the summer.
This group made their pitch to use the city land
for disc golf course. The following month, it was approved.
All but one of the D P w.
Directors voted to move forward with it.
One director asked a table. It until residents surrounding the
park were notified.
And allow them to speak to the public.
To the change in use for this city owned public
park.
Unfortunately, none of that happened.
Before this project was approved.
In early spring, 2022.
I was then ward, alderman. And that's when I got
involved in this project.
When I was called down to the site to find
that trees were being cut and brush taken away for
the course.
Since then the project has been stalled.
And there've been many meetings, both small and large in
this room and in the conservation commission and, and other
meetings that you've mentioned.
As a city representative of this ward, a majority of
the residents that I've heard from.
Are against this.
I've personally met and heard from residents on Southgate drive.
Oak hill and Bayview condominiums. All of those are direct.
Abutters.
Butters to this portion of Rob park that will be
used.
My concerns as the ward alderman center on traffic.
Parking and keeping as much green space as possible.
Available to Nashua residents.
Residence in reading the traffic assessment from February, 2025.
Normal operations at the disc Gulf.
Course was determined.
That parking and traffic would be ample.
It was noted that during special events, traffic and parking
may be impacted. That's where I'm concerned.
Knowing this area as I do it is these events.
Events that concern me most.
Now what I would
put forth on the public record.
Instead of an all or nothing.
Allow disc golf to design a nine hole course.
A compromise.
A good compromise is one where both sides leave the
table feeling they didn't get everything they wanted.
But finish the negotiation, satisfied and agreement was made.
Nine holes.
Allows enjoyment for the disc golfers and non disc golfers
who use this public.
City land. It should be fair to all concerned.
In this solution addresses just that.
I appreciate your time and I wish you luck in
your decision tonight. Thank you.
Thank you.
Hello. Good evening. My name's Michael gotk.
Guardian. Oh yeah. I'm sorry. Feel free to adjust that.
Hi, my name is Michael Gian. I'm a resident of
2 87 Eastville road, south Nashua.
Thank you for your time as you may. And right
now know, I've submitted a letter expressing my concerns about
the proposed disc golf.
Development at rugby park, highlighting the safety and equitable access
issues for south Nashua hikers and bikers.
The letter questions, the parks benefits relative to its ecological
and recreational costs.
And suggests an alternative site closer to downtown.
This alternative would improve access for Nashua's underserved communities.
And aligned with the city's investment in the downtown area.
Tonight. I'd like to supplement my letter with a request
to revise and reposition the signage for the proposed golf
course at Rob disc golf course at Rob park.
I asked that the science be placed at the Trailhead
locations rather than the park entrances entrances, which many trail
users do not pass.
And include a clear description of the course's use and
its impact to the trail users.
This ensures that all park patrons.
Patrons are informed about the proposed changes.
Changes. I have a few comments from tonight that came
up from tonight.
One of the leading
benefits that was pointed out by the attorney who spoke
first on behalf of the discal was it was benefit
as an amenity to the city.
However, no data is available relative to Nashua's benefit from
a use or commercial sets.
600 signatures does not support either.
I want to know a little bit more about what
led to the selection of this site by the D
P w.
I've seen no evidence of this review or site alternatives
aside from the already existing and currently under you underutilized
disc golf course at Greeley park.
DPW stated that the landed RO park is underutilized.
But what method in reporting does the D P w
have to support that finding.
Annually port-a-potties burn.
Dumpsters are spilled over and littering occurs at Roe park.
When vandalism ultimately occurs at the diff disc golf course
who will pay for it for its repair.
Additionally enforcement of the course's care and adherence to the
park rules is admittedly.
Potentially necessary for the disc golf course.
Who will do that and who will pay for that?
Not all holes dis I don't know, with all respect.
I don't know if they're called the holes.
But with each hole on the course.
While some are parallel.
Some do cross over the trail head.
And
regardless of parallel, non.
Intercepting courses where trails and Hills align, what happens with
inaccurate throws?
Throws or in terms of.
Blind spots.
How topographical blind spots be accommodated.
So, you know, I think that these type of.
Questions need answers before a decision can be made by
the public.
So, you know, in summary,
I'm really in favor of disc golfers, getting a great.
Facility that's worthy of use.
And that's awesome. I, I, I don't want to be
negative about that.
But I love the trails, the trail system, as it
is. I'm a user amongst many others.
And I think there's a tremendous vagueness about this plan
at current.
And it prevents the public from weighing in on this
project in a.
Meaningful manner.
Those are my comments. Thank you for your time.
Thank
good evening. Hi, good evening. My name is Denise Oli.
I'm a director butter.
To Oak hill at six Midhurst. I also sent you
a letter. I don't know if I heard incorrectly in
the beginning. I think you said there was only one
letter of opposition received.
No, there was, we received a package. Okay. It was
one document, but it were, there were a series of
oh, perfect letter letters. Yes. Okay. My, sorry, I got
that wrong. So a couple of concerns I have, I'll
try not to duplicate, duplicate what, you know, I said
in the letter.
With the bridges, they have to go through N H
D E S for approval. I don't see anything on
there saying that there was an application done.
I talked to Peter at N HDS today.
And he said those bridges have to go through the
state for approval.
The other issue is they're gonna use epoxy on it
and know that it's recommended by the.
Manufacturer that epoxy should be applied offsite if possible. And
if not, they have to be very careful that it
doesn't drip into the wetlands. Cuz we're gonna have some
serious ecological problems as a result.
So that's an issue. And then.
If it's not drying, you got dog walkers walking through,
and while the animals are gonna get epoxy all over
them, which would be that, that is a hazardous material.
I'm concerned about the aesthetics.
Aesthetics from, you know, from where we live directly abutting
the cause we are gonna have markers and ropes and
signs and baskets at six in the morning.
I, I don't think that even passes the city of
Nashua's noise ordinance.
With the parking
if they choose to park down by the ad, parking
down by the lower lot, that's a problem.
Nobody could tell me if that was a Vernal pool
at all. Vernal pool has a lot of ecological significance.
Right now, N H D E S is calling that
emergent wetland. That's a 40 foot buffer. So if you
have cars parking in there and asphalt and all of
that.
In addition to the trash that I have had to
pick out of you.
With sticks and stuff. That's, that's another huge problem. So
that can't be used for parking. I don't think that's
gonna pass anybody's.
Anybody's you know, review we're gonna have, so we're gonna
cut down trees when all of the wildlife are raising
their babies, is that what's gonna happen. We have Bobcat,
we have Fox families, Bobcat, families. We have coyote families.
All living in those rock croppings mm-hmm and those
are going to be used for what? I don't know.
I hope that somebody gives some thought to the wildlife
that lived there.
Because it's not feeding them, especially at this time of
year, they'll be gone soon enough from wearing their babies.
Trash barrels in the woods, not a good idea. Talk
to any fish and game person.
Not a good idea. You're gonna have bears getting in
there, getting habituated there's bear back there.
So, I guess, guess who has to suffer when the
bears habituated, they're gonna come up to our dumpsters, looking
for food.
And we're gonna have
you know, all kinds of rodents and stuff. And you
know, if you drive up the apex predators, the rodents
are gonna come onto our property. That's a problem.
Lights. This is another thing. So at 10 o'clock in
the say they're playing at nine o'clock or at seven
o'clock it's dock out. They got headlamps to find the
discs, the baskets. I mean,
how are they gonna know if there's a Diaz standing
near that tree? How are they gonna know if there's
an owl on that ranch?
They're not gonna know any of these things. They're headlights.
Aren't gonna show the headlights. Aren't gonna show if there's
a bunch of kids sitting there partying in the woods,
although they'll probably hear the kids partying. So these are
things you know, that have really, I don't think enough
thoughts go into it. Also the, I don't see in
the packet, a current now natural heritage bureau.
Certificate it expired on 9 20, 23 for this project. I don't
see that anybody else has put that up there.
Lastly, I gave you guys a in the letter.
Hopefully you got it.
I show that it, that it is conservation land. And
when I went to the register of deeds, he agreed
with me. So.
Somebody's gonna fix some records. If you're all not saying
that that's conservation land, that's a big problem.
Because it is listed.
On the current maps, G I S I checked with
kata Faulk to make sure I was using the right
system. And that's listed as conservation land. There's a small,
like one acre plot. And then there's a 57 acre
plot listed as conservation land. Somebody should, should look at
the that and make sure because if that is conservation
land, it does not allow.
But active.
Only passive.
Activities disc golf is considered an active activity.
Zoning was told that it wasn't supposed to be any
impervious services. Now we have signs that are impervious services.
Services. I mean,
I agree with the nine holes. If, if you know,
I agree with the compromise, I don't like it, but
I would agree to it.
Before we start doing a bunch of appeals and stuff
and crossing everybody a lot of money.
Point six, six.
Hundred people were interested in this that's only 0.6 0.6%
of national citizens.
That are supposedly interested.
I had a petition. I had 700 people.
They had 600 and we've spent way more than the,
we were allowed a 30 K grant, $30,000 grant from
the rotary club.
We've already spent 45,000 total.
15 of that, I believe came from the grant.
So I don't think they should be granted any hardships.
Everything should be plotted. And the site plan should all
be done.
And the professional disc office. I'm not trying to insult
anybody, but they do not have degrees in forestry. They
do not have degrees in wetland. They're PR their goal
is to make it a challenging game without worrying about
the other stuff. And there's no certification.
And lastly
so as far as safety goes, you know, you can
have all the rules in place and things are gonna
go wrong.
Couple years ago, something got hit in the face with
a puck because the guy's playing hockey. Wouldn't get off
for regular skate time.
I myself was driving down spit Brook road.
And a pot came flying by and almost hit the
car.
Which I wouldn't really care if it hit the car,
but if it went through my windshield and hit me
in the head, that would be a problem.
So you can say that it's going to be safe.
But I have my doubts and I don't think that
anybody here in this room is going to be unsafe.
But there's gonna be a bunch of people playing it.
That won't be safe.
Thank you for your time. Thank you.
Hi, good evening. Good evening. My name is Judy Taylor and
I live at 11 1 11 Hawthorne village road. Excuse me, in
sky meadow. And I'm a opposed to the.
Project.
For many reasons, but I'll just talk on traffic right
now.
It's very difficult right now with nothing else going on
just in everyday traffic.
To get out of sky meadow. We have to wait
sometimes 25 cars.
Before we can get out. So.
The application says there's no effect upon the surrounding traffic
congestion of pedestrian safety.
Normal traffic is expected in and out of the parking
lots on spit Brook road, east, Constable road.
Well, I think
the traffic UN spit brick road on a summer weekend.
Is impossible to get through.
They park on either side of spit Brook road and
east instable road.
And it's like a maze to go through this and
you have to go really slowly because kids run in
and out.
In fact there was an accident.
Back in November when a child ran out on the
road from Roby park.
And his father ran after him.
And both of them were hit by a vehicle.
The child, fortunately was had only minor injuries.
But the father had very serious bodily injuries.
So
you know, that's just one example of what could happen
with all of this.
Traffic.
So let's see.
So Avery Jenkins, the designer of the golf course stated
at the June 25th meeting.
Of the zoning board that this course will be a
huge draw throughout the Northeast.
He also stated that he expected a couple hundred rounds
per month to a couple thousand rounds per month.
Now, with all that.
Amount of players coming.
That's certainly going to increase the traffic.
Around Romi park and then he's expects two tournaments a
year, which I think will draw a huge crowd.
Spectators, maybe even vendors.
Families coming to watch.
The tournament.
So a round of golf. Now this is just my
estimation. I don't know how true it is.
Consists of four players at each hole.
Regularly. If the course is full, that means four players.
Times 18 holes could equal 72 players.
So that could be 72 cars because mostly.
People don't carpool anymore.
So with the 20
six parking spaces up.
On the upper lot.
That already would be overcrowded.
And
so let's see.
And then so using his prediction of 200 rounds a
month.
If we guesstimate 72 players on the core course multiplied
by 200 rounds.
Rounds that could equal a possible 14,400 players at Robie
park.
In a month, even if all 18 holes aren't being
used at one time, they're still will be an unusually
large increase in traffic around the park.
A month now, worst case scenario where he says it
could be a possibility of 2000 rounds per month.
That would just double
the 200
and it would put a giant burden of extra cars
and traffic on spit Brook road and east instable road.
All of this extra traffic and increased usage of the
park with the disc golf players.
Driving from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, and Maine.
Will certainly greatly change the character of our neighborhood.
Thank you. Thank you.
I agree. Hi.
Sharon Lockwood. I live at 3 98 Eastville road.
A lot of what I wanted to say we've touched
on. So I will just share with you some of
my own personal experience.
As far as parking and safety.
There were two occasions last winter after snowstorms, when there
were families at the top of the sliding hill.
And there were 15 cars because I counted them.
Underneath the no parking signs.
Signs. So, and the, the children were walking back and
forth as if it was a parking lot, not a
road.
So that's dangerous.
If somebody in my neighborhood had needed a firetruck or
an ambulance, it would not have been able to get
through.
So the parking is a huge issue and the park,
no parking signs are ignored.
Ignored trash cans. Don't work.
I walk that road every day.
And
the trash goes from the top of the sliding hill.
Across the street from that. And then all the way
down to the houses on the mass border.
I called the city about that.
As well as a, a no parking or not a
no parking.
A sign that's supposed to.
Keep people going at a reasonable rate.
And it's leaning into the woods and you can't see
it. And it's.
It's still all there.
The other thing I wanted to mention is.
The union leader had a front page.
Story.
October 31st.
And
it stated that
the national alderman.
Okayed up to 45 million in bonds to do.
Structure infrastructure.
Projects and these were considered essential.
So if we're borrowing money to do things that are
essential.
Why are we talking about something that's not essential?
Should this not go on a ballot for all of
Nashua to vote.
Thank you.
Hi, good evening.
Good evening.
My name is Chris. Tina McKinley.
Six Southgate drive.
And
I'm going to call attention to.
An article that was
this year, January 22nd.
And the title was safety.
Concerns prompt Nashua officials to separate hockey players.
From recreational skaters.
Hockey players are now banned from.
Robie park. Exactly. Four reasons that have already been noted.
Because multi-use
of that.
Space has not worked out well.
And has resulted in injuries.
Both to a child and an adult.
That is something that over the last three and a
half years attending many of these meetings.
Meetings. I've done a lot of research and starting on
west coast and heading our direction. There are many parks
that have discovered that trying to use multi-use.
Ideas has resulted in not only injuries, but lawsuits.
Lawsuits my first connection to.
The whole issue.
Was actually before disc golf was ever even discussed.
And our neighborhood was looking.
For help from the city.
Regarding trash and traffic.
And parking, which was already mentioned during sledding season.
And the safety hazard that, that has created for our
neighborhood for.
Ambulance and whatever, and this is.
A petition that was signed by everyone in our neighborhood.
And this was dated November.
21.
All due respect to the comments that were made before
that this is city prop property.
And so therefore they can correct.
Mistakes. This was November 21.
Trash is no different.
Parking you have heard already.
Is still happening right underneath the signs that are alderman.
So nicely managed to finally put no parking signs on.
Hasn't changed anything.
And if I look to.
Most things in my life. I look at, you know,
watch what someone does, not what someone.
Says, and what I have seen from the department of
public works.
Unfortunately, it's the same.
Same experience.
Since I moved here 20.
Nine 30 years ago.
Our neighborhood does our own pickup of trash as a
consequence.
We go out with our chainsaws to cut down dead
limbs, that land in the road.
There is nothing that's done, even from the ease of
a bucket truck.
Where you could take care of the, the trees that
need trimming that you could get rid of vines.
So when I'm listening to, we're going to manage.
Invasive species that's not done even on the road side.
So I don't see how that's going to happen.
Throughout the park.
This, this decision to get rid of.
Hockey.
On the same rink as skaters.
And the problem was following rules.
And yet we're listening to people talk about how all
the rules will be followed.
By dis golfers.
Why would we think that.
There are rules about trash for sweaters.
Letters there was a $250.
Fine.
Sign. It didn't make any difference.
The trash is everywhere.
So, I don't know why we're thinking that dis golfers
are some amazing people that don't do any of this.
It's been called to our attention.
That there are already.
70 disc golf courses.
In New Hampshire, 33 of which apparently have 18 holes.
How many strictly
walking trails are there.
Not for bikers.
Not for disc golfers.
Where do people go in New Hampshire and specifically in Nashua?
Where they're not going to be.
Amongst anyone who's competing. They're not going to be flown
by a biker where they can be.
Contemplative. I don't think there are many places.
What percentage of the population in Nashua?
Participate in team sports.
It's a question. I think we ought to be asking.
And why must
productive use of land.
Focus on competition.
I don't know why that is.
But I think it's worth asking the question.
There's been a great deal written about health benefits.
Benefits, particularly during the COVID years.
Of why people need
space away from screens.
Screens quiet space.
Contemplate space, creative space.
This is that kind of space.
And we're about to take it away.
There's been a lot said about the parking.
And how much the
designer this Avery Jenkins. Who's a championship disc golfer.
His focus is on creating tourism.
I believe mayor Donius focused is on.
Expanding making this a destination.
Space for tourism.
I don't believe that the rotary club, when they originally.
Donated $30,000.
That they anticipated all of this.
They, I think genuinely thought this was going to be
for families.
How many
families get to do pickup games at the baseball field.
If you don't belong to a team, you don't get
to play.
I think that the focus.
On tournaments and international competition and making this a destination
location.
Speaks for itself. This is not going to end up
for families.
The national disc golf association in their own documentation.
State that there needs to be a 300 to 450
foot.
Guideline away from
other borders.
Borders at least eight holes on this course do not
meet that. Meet the disc golf Association's own directives.
Directives. And when they talk about, you know,
get the, the kind of coexisting with walkers.
Walkers, what person wants to be walking by?
When these discs can
be thrown 175 to 250.
Feet by a novice.
250 to 350 feet.
By someone intermediate.
And a tournament player, 300 to 450 feet.
And that can be 50 to 70 miles an hour.
Is that really going to work with walkers?
Walkers. And are they these, these sort of remarkable dis
players who are gonna follow all the rules?
And it's in a forest, so they're gonna have to
see around trees.
Do you really think that this isn't an accident waiting
to happen?
I personally think it is.
I think there's a reason also why every time we
come.
The the, the
the plans look different.
And this amendment.
I find it interesting that a waiver.
Has been requested.
Against having to post a bond or an escrow agreement.
I suspect that's because they've already spent taxpayer dollars.
They've already spent.
And if they had used all of what the rotary
club.
Had provided that was supposed to cover the whole thing.
We would already be in the hole. And I think
the city doesn't want us to know how much is
this really going to cost?
And how much will maintenance over time cost.
And, and they're talking about, you know, hand clipping, how
many people are you going to need to be going
in to hand clip all through this?
Course the conservation committee.
Required. And I had an opportunity to listen to a,
a, an opportunity to listen to them. Talk with private.
Owners who wanted to cut? I think it was a
total, there were three owners.
A total of seven trees.
Is, and they were required to keep them 14 feet
tall.
Jagged at the top.
In addition had to be taken care of by an
arborist.
They had to
for the right to do that, manage invasive species. My
question is why is city land?
Not subject to those same.
Requirements. And finally, I'd like to say that the statistics
re.
Regarding support or dissent.
I looked after the June meeting.
At all of the letters that came in, as well
as the notes regarding speakers.
Speakers one half.
Of all speakers were not from Nashua.
Two thirds.
Thirds of the letters that came in.
Were not from Nashua.
In contrast all, but one.
Of the speakers who opposed.
The disc golf course were from Nashua.
I think that's an interesting thing to pay attention to.
Thank you. Thank you.
Is there anyone else that would like to speak in
opposition concern this evening?
Thank you. Is there anyone in the audience that would
like to speak in favor of this application?
Just just
just actually, you know what, I, I apologize in advance.
Could we actually just take a quick break with the
board? I'd like to call a quick recess if I
can. So.
We're going we're in recess at nine 20. Is that
your.
Five about five, five.
Folks folks, folks that need we're back in we're back
in session.
So I'd like to ask a order, please.
Apologies for the interruption, but.
This is the line of folks that's wishing to speak
in favor of the project.
I, I would make the same request that I made
of the others. Just you try to keep your comments
concise and not repeat. What's already been stated, but.
Other than that, just please introduce yourself for the record.
Hi, Karen bill 95 Parnell place here in Nashua. I
am a Nashua native.
And the nice thing about.
The parks in Nashua.
Is that they are available for all residents. And I've
always strongly felt that Robie park was never an option
for me.
As a resident, because I didn't have a small children
who, you know, sled or played ball or any of
that stuff.
And I would think that the people who actually spoken
in opposition earlier.
Would be thrilled with a disc golf.
Situation coming because
what so many of them have spoken about is the
horrible traffic, the horrible trash, the horrible, you know,
so many horrible things, all that's going on now.
When I first walked the park to see it.
I could not believe that there was.
Boards in what was wetland area?
That had been there and there was trash.
And I was kind of appalled and I would probably
get lost just walking in there because it's a very
large area.
So then I started playing disc golf.
And I was, I was blown away.
By the people that played.
That they
we're so.
Caring of the environment. You don't move a rock. You
don't move a stick to throw the disc. There was
no.
Wild disks flying all over the place. They're not hitting
anybody in the head.
They're not going.
500 feet. Oh God. If I could only throw my
desk 500 feet, I'd be winning, winning things.
There's a disproportionate amount of attention being paid to this
versus.
Other Nashua parks, the hours will be the same. If
there was a typo, there was a typo. It's not
six in the morning. It's seven.
And
things like our wetland specialist, Brendan, who is.
So revered in this state.
For people to think that he has not done.
Beyond his homework is crazy.
Everything people have been, Bendo bending over backwards and we've
gone.
Well above wetland's concerns. Okay.
I wanna stay local. I don't wanna have to drive
30 to 45 minutes to go play disc golf. I'm
a new player.
I wanna be the expert on this.
Course, let me tell you. It's only a couple miles
from my house.
And I am. I just can't even wait because it's
gonna be such an improvement. There's not gonna be any
dripping epoxy. It's kind of like sometimes I hear some
of these things and I think, is it me? Is
it just, is it, am I being delusional or, or,
you know, come on.
If, if every
unsafe place in this city.
Which is not gonna be a disc golf course.
Were closed down. Well, we might as well start with
the H the highway, since there's so many accidents.
Accidents. Thank you. I appreciate your time and listening and.
Let's get it going so we can improve Robie park.
Thank you.
Step right up.
Good evening. Good evening, Dr. Richard smart, 1 59 Surles road,
lifelong Nashua resident.
Resident. I am the, the holder of the petition with
the 600 signatures. We originally presented a hundred signatures to
the mayor.
To get this project rolling.
There's a lot of misinformation that's been presented tonight. There's
a lot of outright lies that have been presented here
tonight.
Including one by an elected city official.
I, I wish my alderman had stuck around to hear
my comments. He does not represent just.
The four or five folks that live on Southgate and
in that general,
he represents the entirety of ward nine.
Okay on that petition.
Accounted before I came here tonight, 118.
Of the 625 signatures are from ward nine.
Who are you serving? Who are you listening to?
There's got to be open.
Honest discourse.
When this happens.
A couple other points I want to make and I,
I will keep this brief.
Why do we want 18 holes in nine holes?
Because that's what the application's for.
All right. We didn't come here tonight to compromise. We
came here tonight.
To receive
permission to move forward with this project.
This is not new. This didn't come out of nowhere.
It hasn't been done under the, the guise of night.
There have been almost 20 public meetings at this point.
It's a constant
attack of city officials.
Talking about D P w like they're not in the
room.
These folks work for the city. They work hard. They
make sure that we're all safe.
In regards to safety.
People are trying to scare you tonight.
And tell you that people are going to be injured
or maimed.
There has been one.
One incident in the state of New Hampshire.
Since I have become very active.
In so 2015 to now in the last 10 years,
there's been one incident.
That has required someone to be, to receive medical care.
One, the other stories they're talking about.
Are these gigantic
gigantic mixed use parks. Think about Greeley park on steroids
in the middle of California.
All right. This is a mixed use park. They have
realized that this isn't the best design. It isn't the
best way to do it. Most of those parks have
been redesigned.
By experts. All right.
The comments that have been made about Avery Jenkins and
Simon. Zat not being.
Up to the task at hand.
Would be like saying that Jack Nicholas is not up
to the task at hand for designing a golf course.
Folks don't know who these people are.
Avery Jenkins just led team USA.
To another president's cuff.
That just happened. This is not something.
That is small. This is something that is.
A global sport. It is the second fastest growing sport
right now.
Teetering back and forth with pickleball.
All right. Pickleball was put in Nashua.
Very quickly. It, it was taken care of.
It's far more expensive.
The last thing I want to talk about is the
expenses part of it.
The money that was originally.
Slated for this project.
Has unfortunately been spent on other things.
Other things that would not have been done.
Without the misinformation and lies that the opposition continues to
tell.
Thank you for your time. Thank you.
Hi, good evening. Good evening. Chair members of the board.
Steve Adii six Pell avenue.
I would like to speak, of course.
In favor of the course being proposed at Robi park.
And I would like to address some of the concerns
that were approached.
By the opposition tonight, an example. And during the wetlands
to retrieve a disc, I understand that's a big concern
and we wanna protect the wetlands as best as we
can.
Most disc golfers who are aware.
Will have a retriever on them at all times, or.
If they're advised by signage to not enter the wetlands.
We could discuss in the future, possibly having D P
w.
Go through as part of their assignment in.
Inspecting the course pick out disks in an approved manner
from there to minimize impact.
I would also like to talk about signage. A lot
of people brought up concerns about obstructed views.
Views and similar safety concerns.
Concerns. If it is such a concern.
Which most signs on the course.
Will address out of bounds markings, including not limited to
wetlands.
Wetlands and various other impediments on the course, they can
also be.
Built up to address.
Potential blind spots.
Regarding the use of other trail systems and studies.
There was one gentleman who brought up a case that
this was the only place that was looked at. That
is not the case.
I know that at minimum.
Mind falls, UDI farm.
And Greeley park were looked at as possible sites for
this.
It was determined that this would be the best suited
site for a course of the nature to be installed.
I'll go ahead and conclude here by saying that as
ambassadors for the sport, us disc golfers.
Try to get everybody who is there to treat the
course.
The nature around it and other users, including those who
are not playing the sport with respect.
And this is one of the things that I have
taken away from it in my eight years playing.
Is, it's a great way to embrace the trail systems.
And nature in the city, much like as a youth,
I would play baseball at lions park or sun or
sunset Heights.
Heights or as a teenager and young adult, I would
mountain bike. The trails of mine falls and the Dickey
farm.
With respect to other patrons at the park. I thank
you for your time.
And I would, again, like to support this and hope
that it moves forward. Expeditiously. Thank you.
Thank you.
Hi, good evening.
Hi, Uhhuh. Thank you for your time. My name is
Brian Mojay. I've been one maple street in Draco.
I am one of those people that someone earlier had
spoken, oh, you know, people in favor.
This very few from Nashua or New Hampshire alone.
Well, I grew up here my whole life. I'm only
a new to Massachusetts.
I can tell, I consider this my home and I
would love to see something like this happen.
Happened. I believe it'd be very beneficial.
To families, to businesses.
And as far as what the mayor was saying, oh,
why can't it be a nine hole course?
Well, a nine hole holes, whole course won't bring in.
The majority of
tournaments commerce.
Shops, everything else. As far as the parking goes, I
believe there are many large hotels.
Hotels down in the south end. Those will have business.
People will be flying in the pros. They're gonna be
spending a couple days. They're gonna dine out. They're gonna
eat. They're gonna sleep. They're gonna live in Nashua and
they're gonna be able to experience what I experienced growing
up. Thank you. Thank you.
Hi, good evening. Good evening. My name is Janet vouch.
I live at 41 Roy street in Nashua.
It's been my home for the last 39 years. And
I'm very proud to call the city, my home.
I am a member of the rotary club.
That is, has provided $30,000.
And before every meeting, we start with our four-way test.
Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build Goodwill and better friendships? Will it be
beneficial to all concerned?
These are the words again, that we start each of
our meetings with and we live by those.
Boards the truth is that this course would be a
wonderful addition to the city.
It is fair since it will be available for all
to enjoy.
This is not just something for.
Older people that are on a golf course.
Small children. Families could have a great opportunity to be
outside.
And convene with nature and have a great time.
Many residents are looking forward to be able to play
on this course. The last two statements are absolutely true.
Families and friends can play for free.
So it is fair to all concerned. It knows no
monetary.
Monetary barriers whatsoever.
And have an opportunity to be outdoors and benefit from
this wonderful addition to our community.
As a member of rotary and a Nashua resident, I
would like to request that you approve the disc golf
course at Robie park. Thank you for your consideration.
Thank you.
Good evening. Hello.
Brian Chamberlain eight L a L a.
LA I'm in favor, obviously, and agree with everyone who's
spoken in front of me. There's one thing that I'd
like to point out is the numbers that were brought
up over the amount of people that will be on
the course at a time.
I'm not showing up with 72 of my friends at
10:00 AM to play around. I'm showing up at four.
So that's four people on the course for two hours.
And then maybe four behind me for two hours.
Not 14,000 in a day.
That was as big excessive on numbers. So that's all.
Thank you. Thank you.
Hi, good evening.
Good evening. Thank you for your service to our city.
My name is Helen hon.
Monroe. I'm a member of the rotary club of Nashua
west. I live at 46, Raymond.
Street here in Nashua. And I'm also a business owner
here in Nashua, raised my family here in Nashua.
One of the things that attracted the rotary club of
Nashua west to this project.
Was that it would
be an opportunity for people to have.
Healthy opportunities.
Low cost opportunities to exercise and be out in nature.
There's so little cost involved in becoming.
A disc, a disc golf player.
It there's the outlay is so inexpensive that families of
all means would have an opportunity.
To use this. Well, I live in the north end.
I think that being
having the opportunity to use our park.
System throughout the city in allowing people of all ages.
And that's something pretty, very important to rotary that it's
an entire community operator opportunity.
I wanna be very clear. The rotary club of Nashua
west is fully supportive eyes wide open, nothing has been
pulled.
No wool has been pulled over our eyes. And importantly,
there has been.
Due process and an opportunity.
For everyone in this community to be heard, if they
would like to.
I am fully supportive personally with rotary club of Nashville
west.
Chose this project to celebrate our 50th year of service
to this community.
It was an anniversary of sorts, if you will. And.
We wanted to take the opportunity to join with the
city to provide.
Yet another opportunity.
For people in our community to have safe.
Healthy opportunities to be
out in the out in nature.
They can certainly operate together.
Everyone understands that the, that the park will continue to
operate in the way it always has.
But that this amenity would be really important.
To people of all ages in our city.
They help personally that you will.
Approve this application for the full 18 holes. And I
know the rotary club of Nashville west would ask for
that too. Thank you.
Thank you.
Good evening. Good evening, Alex McClain 47 William street.
Also
employee of the city. I work for the parks department.
It's
it's crazy that
you have individuals out there on a weekly, daily basis
and setting up their own baskets inside of Greeley park
and throwing Frisbees.
And at whatever rate they throw them. And.
The individuals around them are not up in arms, but
yet.
You attempt to do something like this, and we have
everybody up in arms.
I just wanna
talk, you know, my kids have been out on a
disc golf course since they were.
Babies walking with a stroller.
They're 11 to 12. Now I'm majority of these individuals
here have never seen me without my kids on a
disc golf course.
A lot of them, even the very first municipal disc
golf course that was approved in the state of New Hampshire.
It's over at Dover. That is one of the most
heavily used disc golf courses.
And it is also the most heavily used walking disc
golf course.
That they don't have any issues.
Issues and they haven't had any issues.
You know, and
issues over conservation land that I can cite many of
different disc golf courses that are all on conservation land.
This is not anything that's out of the norm.
So
thank you. Thank you.
Mr. Chairman members again, Andy Pearlman, the per Pearlman.
Attorneys here in Nashua.
You recall at the outset? I said, I want to
speak for a moment as a witness, so I I'm
gonna speak for a moment as a witness. If, if
please the board, then I do want to have some
rebuttal time for the comments that were made.
And the reason I wanted to speak as a witness,
because since I got involved with this project, since January, 2024,
I've actually used it to get out and spend some
time outside. My wife and I have walked.
Four courses.
Four full disc golf courses, two in Manchester, the hollows
courses, north and south.
One course in
Franklin mass and one course in nearby and begins with
M I forget the town, but we worked out there's
four courses.
While they were being used.
While they were someone busier than others.
But we, we walk the courses.
And just to just, just.
Get a sense of the operation.
But we weren't playing, we weren't playing disc golf. We
were just walking and we would tell people I'm walking,
cuz I'm involved in this project. I just wanted to
feel it out and say no. So people were about
to tee off and we would say, do you mind
if we walk ahead and this said, well, let us
tee off. You guys can walk and then we're gonna
throw again. Start we'll call you out and stop.
And pull, you know, move to the side of the
fairway and then watch for our disks. And then you
can keep walking.
Not once. Do we have any concern for our safety?
It, it was so friendly. It was so.
Welcome, please enjoy the walk in the woods.
It, it was fantastic. And not once did we ever
think that there's gonna be a Frisbee that's gonna hit
the back of our head, right? Because they saw the
players saw that the, we were, there were walkers on
the course and they respected us and they let us
do our thing. And I, I expected the same here.
All of the courses that we walked are all the
same as what we're proposing Robie park though. It's all
town.
Our city owned land.
They all have wetlands on. 'em just, it's hard. You
can't avoid, you know, 30, some odd acres and not
have some wetlands on 'em. They all have bridges. They
all have signs. They have some ropes of guiding the
players.
Through all the same, but what I wanted to tell
you as a witness is what we, what we took
away.
From our, our walks and we actually, my, my wife
remind know that we played round of disc golf some
years ago in Pennsylvania.
What we took away from it was, was two things.
Family and friends and respect. I said that this is
only board. I'm gonna say it in here tonight, family
and friends.
We just saw
groups of friend 20 rolls. We saw three generations playing
together.
We we saw dogs being walked. It, it was, it
was just a friendliest thing.
And then the respect part of it. I, we, I,
since I've been involved with this thing, I've, I've come
to.
I'm really taken by the disc golf community because all
these courses.
Are immaculate. There's no traction. There's no beer bottles. There's
no trash.
They're all carrying carry out. These are immaculate courses and
it's because of the disc golf community. They, they don't,
they don't put up with any bologna.
And we were just so taken by the, by the
discipline.
And just, just the camaraderie.
If you talk to folks who run these org disc
golf organizations, they will have a cleanup day. There's a
couple in the back of the room, Norma and bill
Bruce. They operate programs up in Manchester and they will
say.
We call out, you know, every spring and fall we
will have a cleanup day. No, no play.
On the chorus war, we're gonna get a hundred people
walk the course and pick everything up, right. Pick up,
you know, this that may be lost or whatnot.
Just the community is, is so impressive.
And, you know, I don't know the stories about trash
Roby park. I don't want to live down there, but
my experience.
From what I witnessed it's that is not true from
what, from what I saw.
And, you know, the zoning board met one of the
zoning board members.
Neely he's he said, you know, I actually went up
to, I walked the halls course up in Manchester and
well, he said just what attorney Pearlman said it was,
it was a immaculate it's clean. It was respected. I
so.
That's my story as a witness. This is the disc
golf community you heard tonight.
You know, they're, they're an impressive group. So that's my.
Take as a witness Mr. Chairman, and I would like
an opportunity to rebut some comments.
Comments if that's, if that's okay. Yeah, you may.
Possibly. I just want to take the temperature of the
board here.
Obviously, there was quite a bit of testimony tonight for
approaching 10 o'clock.
What's what's the mood of the board perspective, hearing a
rebuttal.
I guess the, the, the follow up to that would
be.
If we hear the rebuttal.
Are we then interested in deliberating knowing there's still some
other business items on the agenda.
I want to force anybody into anything, but any general
thoughts on.
How we may wish to proceed from here.
Can we to define the time could we give a
time limit limit to the it's? It's very hard to
do. I think yeah. Use the complex as a complex
issue we may to discuss. Let's true. Yeah. Our meeting,
I, I would say suggest we.
That we, we at least hear the rebuttal.
And we could always, you know,
reassess after that. Okay. Determine whether we think that we
need.
You know, another meeting to deliberate.
Or not. Yeah, we're, we're not trying to pigeonhole.
The, the applicant or draw things out unnecessarily, but there
was obviously, there was a lot of commentary.
We want to give you.
As much opportunity to respond to those comments as, as
possible. But.
If, if, if we're talking another hour potentially at a
rebuttal, I'm just making up a number, hypothetically, and then
we go into our deliberation. I think we're.
This is why we kind of establish that, that unofficial
cutoff. But.
I think it seems like it's the pleasure of the
board. We'd like to give you an opportunity this evening.
To rebut, whether rebuttal is one person each correct.
No, it's you it's it's solely it's the applicant's. Oh,
this is, this is your, your, yeah.
Three minutes. Okay. I promise.
I want, I won't, you know, I won't hold you
to that, but no, it's okay. We, we appreciate it.
Thank you.
Just just, and just some comments and it's not just
to call some things out. There was not, there was
nothing particularly technical from the.
Those in opposition with concern.
So just wanna call out some, some comments.
Comments Mr. Barley, your initial questions about trail conflict. I,
I, you know, I, I tried to explain that and
my comments as a witness.
We the nine hole question came up at the zoning
board.
The nine hole.
Proposal was rejected because we think the course would fail
in, in and of itself. People want to play 18
holes, people don't, people who want to come here and
play nine holes in a half an hour and, and
take off it's. It's not what's.
What's being proposed. It's not.
A a, a positive experience for dis golfers.
Mr guardian, if I'm saying that name correctly, and I
apologize if I'm not, he raised a question of location.
And there's a gentleman speaking in favor, who was exactly
right. We met with director Foto yesterday.
Grilly park, mines falls, Yi were all looked at and
all ruled off for different reasons.
Reasons I primarily, because the topography.
Of Robie park is what this golf players like to.
Play on. They like to challenge.
The other course, the other areas were too flat, too
boring.
It wouldn't bring, bring PA players back. They, the Roby
park was the best option.
That the city considered and they did consider a number
of options.
Ms. Mooni had a couple comments.
Comments. She is correct. D E S has to sign
off on the crossings, but be because the crossings are
so minor.
The approvals are done by notice there's no formal hearing
or anything. The Dan Hudson will simply send out.
Notice that the project complies with D S requirements and
that's about it.
There's no trash bails being proposed on the courts or
in the courts. It's just gonna be it's Carrie in,
carry out.
They'll probably be a trash barrel by the parking lot,
along the porta potty.
This is not conservation land. I, when I first got
into this, I did title on Robie park. There is
no easements.
Easements there. And I, I, I represent as council before
you that there's no.
Restrictions or easements. There's a sewer easement in aerobic park,
but that's about it.
Is not conservation land.
There was talk about tournaments.
Tournaments and tournaments, but they don't expect many tournaments. There'll
be a handful of tournaments. Over the years. Tournaments are
run by professionals. Tournaments will be told if you're gonna
have a big crowd that you have to manage your
crowd. You have to find some offsite, parking and shuttle
to the site.
I would, I watched a tournament up in Manchester and
it was a, it was a popular tournament. It was
a new England tournament. And.
The way the Bruces actually ran it. They have timed.
Timed tee times and players are told not to show
up until like 15 minutes before your tee time. And
it, it scatters the crowd over the day. It really
works. So tournaments will be a benefit cuz it'll draw
people to Nashua, but they can be vantage professionally managed.
Well.
And finally, I just, there was one comment at the
end, Ms. McKinley.
She said, quote
if you don't belong to a team, you don't get
to play.
And this is not, this is gonna end up not.
Not end up for families. This is a quote.
That couldn't be more wrong.
You know, I it's a shame.
These, these meetings are run late into the night because.
The zoning board had a lot of kids come out
and a lot of coaches come out and say, this
is great. A lot of teachers say this is great
for my students. This is something that cost, I don't
know, you know, 10, 20 bucks to buy a disc.
Kids can get out there.
The, the cost to just as, as, as, as HARO
said, the cost of getting into this sport is next
to nothing compared to all or other options.
I have a granddaughter and I'm intentionally not buying her
hockey equipment.
Right, because I don't want to go down that road.
I maybe I'll buy her a disk, but this is
designed for families. Yes, they'll be tournaments. Yes. There'll be
pros coming to this thing, but this is such a
family friendly, free.
Meant for the city. So we are looking for.
Your approval tonight. So thank you very much.
Okay, thank you.
So put it back to the board.
For
before we close the.
Public hearing any further questions.
Questions of staff or applicant scheme.
All right.
Well seeing none.
We're gonna close the public hearing now, regardless.
I guess again, I'll, I'll put out.
Similar question.
Pleasure the board in terms of deliberating.
This tonight.
What's your capacity for, for moving on.
I'm okay to keep going, but you guys are good.
Yeah. Okay. To Maggie.
Doesn't have to be damn this way. Okay. Okay. All
right.
So, all right.
Obviously, we heard a lot of information.
This evening.
Both both pro and con.
But I, I guess this is one I I'd really
like to hear from, from.
Our board members first.
General thoughts or impressions?
Please Mr. Green. Yep. Well, I personally play a lot
of outdoor sports, not disco in particular, but volleyball and.
Softball friends. Most of the people that tend to play
end up playing art.
Malicious in their tent, they're there to play the game.
Get out.
So, you know, I, I probably echo many of the.
The thoughts of some of the.
People who were for the proposal.
And just looking at, you know, generally our master planning
and some of the other objectives of the city. I
think this does bring in as a.
Place to for, for most people.
Almost everybody. So
I, I tend to think that it fits the, the
use of the space in the park and, you know,
similar.
Sites that I've seen throughout this college with pedestrians moving
throughout those types of courses and, and work we've put
them in as well. And there hasn't been any issues
with even getting close hitting cars, even though they're very
close to parking lots. So.
You know, aesthetically
it's very similar as well. There's park.
And conservation, it's not a.
Intensive sport or intensive sport. Like you're not clear cutting,
and you're not clear cutting everything. You're not.
Creating any additional
spaces that
not spaces. You're not doing additional civil work to really
destroy the what's existing there. So.
I think this is relatively low impact for, for the
area that that's being proposed for.
Thank you, Mr. Green.
Others. Mr. Barley, please. Yeah. Mr. Chair, I've just, I
would echo some of the comments from Mr. Green. I
mean, I, I appreciate that this is not.
A zero impact use, right? They're they're some trees are
gonna be cut.
You know, we've heard about, you know, additional bridges being
added.
But I would say of, of the sort of.
Uses you could envision here. This is a relatively low
impact use.
And I think we've heard a bunch of testimony that.
Supports, you know, this use.
Being able to coexist.
With the other existing uses, you know, in terms of
people walking on the trails.
Trails. And I would just suggest that that's.
That's pretty similar to a lot of the other, other
public spaces in Nashua. You know, if you go to.
Mind falls park, for example, you know, several people mentioned
that.
There's lots of different uses happening there.
At the same time you've got, you know, multiple uses
on the, on the trails, whether it's people.
Running walking, biking. You've got soccer fields there.
You know, you've got a number of different activities and,
you know, my sense, having spent quite a bit of
time there is that, you know, that those uses seem
to be able to successfully.
Coexist. And I think the same thing could be said
for Greeley park.
So I think
you know, there's a, a degree which.
I think we we've, we've got a good plan from
the city. We've heard a lot of testimony that suggests.
You know, as, as you, as I respect for other
experiences that these uses can coexist. And again,
I feel like it's a, a relatively low impact use.
Given the space in a, in a good way to
provide.
People an alternative way.
To get out and explore, you know, an open space
and to do so at no cost.
Thank you, Mr. Barley.
Anyone else?
Ms. Har please just quickly OB I do echo a
lot of the sentiments that you both just just said,
and I don't play the sport either, but I do
have some friends that, that do play discal.
And the one thing that they always say about it
is that they love it because they're outside of nature.
Playing playing the game and that that's really the draw.
And I, I think that sounds wonderful.
And, and again, I do feel like this is fairly
low impact, you know, compared to like mowing everything down
and putting a softball field in or.
Pickleball court or, I mean, pretty much any other sport
out there.
And that, you know, potentially down the road, if you
know, there was no more disc golfing, the impact as
far as what type of equipment.
Or what's been done to the land itself.
Will be low impacted. You could, you know, you could
potentially remove it and it would be.
We would still have ones. So that's.
That's all I have. Yeah. I, I appreciate those thoughts.
The, the one thing I did want to comment on
was.
Was the parking. I, I.
Appreciate the fact that the city is.
At least they they've left themselves some room.
Should should there need to be improvements?
I, I wouldn't necessarily be in favor of just adding,
you know, unused, impervious.
Just for the sake of potentially adding it. I think
if, if folks.
Played sports or had kids that played sports in town,
you know, that whether it's shady lane or dooby field
there there's.
There's there. Isn't a ton of parking.
Even if even
community park, you know, whether you had early morning, fall
soccer or just taking prom pictures. You're, you're basically on
street parking there. So.
In any case? I, I, I, I understand the.
Understand the concern.
But it seems like the city does potentially have options
to, to address that should this thing.
You know, turn into something more than, than what it's
anticipated to be.
So
it's kind of, kind of my thoughts on it.
Mr. Barley, please. You Mr. Judge, just to, since you
raised the, the parking issue, I, I, I agree with
you and I agree with the.
You know, the city's approach of.
Not adding the parking first.
You know, without sort of, you know, seeing what the.
What the usage is.
I like the idea of not, you know, again, talking
about.
The impact to the land and, and.
You know, so taking more tree down, trees down, adding
more impervious surface.
I, I, I agree with the approach of, let's not,
let's not do that to start.
If it's maybe not necessary. And.
I, I will. I, you know, it's, it's been a
while since I've spent.
Much time at Robie park, as my kids are older
now, but, you know, we used to go there all
the time and, and I'm, I've experienced the, you know,
sort of overflow parking situation in the winter for sledding
and, and, you know, sometimes the other parking lot could
give busy, but.
You know, I think Pelger as you've correctly pointed out,
I mean, that's true of a lot of.
You know, public spaces, playing fields in Nashua and I,
you know,
I, I, I think it's just something that do people
have to sort of try to manage and.
And, you know, we do that in lots of other
places and, and I think, you know,
in some ways where we park is better situated because
there are.
You know, possibilities to expand parking, if that became a
need. Whereas a lot of the other, you know, places
you, you mentioned Doobie field.
There's no opportunity to expand parking there.
So I, I
would also support the approach of, of taking the sort
of wait and see approach on that.
Yeah, look, Barry. Please. Am I, my concern is, does,
would it make any sense to go to this compromised
position? It was suggested of just the nine holes.
Even the possible expansion, you know, built in or something
that way. I mean, I don't think the city's being
benefited by tournaments, for example, especially in that location, if
that's the reason for the 18 holes.
I haven't gotten the
the sense that it nine holes wouldn't work.
And I kind of wonder if that wouldn't be a
better way for the board to go.
So at least my experience, other outdoor facilities, when, when
you're playing with either, you know, your group of four
people, I think the, the timeframe like.
It is maybe within worst worth going somewhere else. If
you're not.
Gonna get the full experience like 18 holes.
I think it's a preference thing typically.
I'm not sure.
If there's a concrete yes or no, it'd be used
more. Right? It's it's very, I'm not saying I'm totally.
This is an absolute on my I'm just asking. I
throw, I get the question out to the board, essentially.
It seems like, you know, the be.
Obviously that's impact and everything else, a lot of the
concerns would be mitigated of the objectors. I mean, the
other thing I would just say just.
Sorry, Mr. Grant. I mean, the plan we had before
us is 18 holes. I don't, I don't think that
we can just unilaterally as a board say, well,
we're we're gonna approve a nine hole. No, I understand
that. So I think we.
We basically be saying
to the city go back to the drawing board.
But, you know, I think it sounds like it's the
case for all of us. None of us.
Are just golf players and, and I don't.
Don't you know, purport to sort of know what.
What the standard should be. Right. And.
You know, the testimony we've heard, you know, from people
tonight.
You're representing the city from, from the public.
As well as these, these people who design this course
is that.
Hey, if you want to have a successful course.
This is the way you design it with 18 holes.
And so I don't, I don't, I appreciate what you're
saying in terms of yeah. You know, if you had.
If it's half the size it's, you know, in theory,
half the impact.
But I, I guess I don't personally feel like I'm,
I I'm in a position to sort of second, guess
what the.
What the approach is in terms of 18 versus nine.
If Mr. Green, go ahead. I'll give an example that
I've seen. So like Hollis says a outdoor volleyball court
that's completed with backing nets and.
Stops for volleyballs and stuff. And Barack is closer to
me. I have seen.
One other group go there and Hollis has a very
robust community of people.
You're more likely to get community engagement because you can
get the full gambit of what you expect from the
sport.
Again, that's just anecdotal of what we're looking at, but
again, I would tend to.
Agree with some of the logic in 18 hole and
make more sense for a success of a.
The course, I, I guess I all to add onto
to that. I'm, I'm less concerned with how it's.
It's marketed. Like I, I, I personally wouldn't. Wouldn't.
Wouldn't it wouldn't affect my day-to-day if they had a
tournament there or, or, or not. Yeah. But if, if
again, to Mr. Barley's point, we have the plan that,
that is before us. I, I would've thought it had
there been some, some opportunity for compromise.
This is not the forum in which to do it.
Just because again, it's not up to us to sort
of.
Redesign a site plan.
So I, I, I, that's not.
To discredit that idea if it was thought of earlier,
but this, if this has been in the works for.
Several years now and has been vet by ZBA.
Not that we're reliant on their decision. It, it seems
like there has been some, some foresaw foresight.
So I, I, I think trying to throw that into
the 11th hour is not.
I appreciate the, the comment from the public, but I
just don't think it's necessarily up for us to adjudicate.
So, no, I, I understand that part. I just yeah.
Was asking the question. No, and.
Yeah. Yeah. I couldn't as, as a non-player I, I
couldn't tell you necessarily what the .
Any further, further discussion or, or comments?
Comments Mr. Green question for staff.
Is there a permitting process for reserving fields and for
termly type of use, I'm just not familiar with it.
This might not be the, the form to task that
I, I can't speak to D P W's plans to
operate.
But it is my understanding and, and I would defer
to anyone from D P w to speak. If I
get this wrong, I don't believe that there is any.
Reservation system planned where it's just free and open use.
To the public tournaments, maybe a completely different scenario as
Mr. Poland alluded to.
I'm seeing some head nos from that's correct. Dan Hudson
in the back. So that sounds right.
I, I did have one additional question for, for staff.
Is, is it commonplace with respect to the bond waiver?
Mm-hmm is it commonplace for city projects to not.
Bond themselves or so the, the reason we ask site
plans to host a bond, typically it's associated with the
improvements that they plan to execute.
Largely in the context of anything that's within the right
of way, essentially, you know, that is the city's domain.
If, if a private entity is coming and, and disturbing
the city's domain.
We want some sort of fiscal sureity to ensure that
that can be returned to a usable condition.
Now where the city is essentially beholden unto itself. Well,
the city is doing a project on city property. The
city wouldn't post a bond.
For its own project on its own property. It's.
It's the money's still within the city. So it wouldn't
make sense. Mm-hmm , it's not like we're asking to,
to.
Issue a bond, which would be an aldermanic action to
pay for the improvement. That's not what this is.
Appreciate the clarification, Sam. Thank you.
Hey barley. And just one other quick question for staff.
The, the staff report does title this as a site
plan amendment.
Yes. Is that just because the, of we are technically
amending the existing site plan for where we park for
whatever prior proves of made over time? That's correct. Yep.
Okay. Thank you.
Other questions of staff.
Or other comments, discussion items.
All right.
Seeing none.
Any, any board member is willing to make a motion.
But we, we do have three waiver requests related to
this application.
Obviously we would need to take action.
On those items first, any member of the board willing
to.
Consider a motion.
Regarding the three waivers applicable to this application.
Mr barley, please.
And Mr. Chair as to.
Case a 25 dash 0 34 site plan amendment.
For ropey park.
I would like to first.
Make a motion with respect to.
Three waiver requests that have been made.
By the applicant. The first such waiver request is from
section one 90 dash one 60.
To not be required to post a bond or escrow.
The second wave request is from one 90 dash 2 79
E.
Regarding submittal requirements to not provide the location of all
permanent monuments, property lines, or street lines.
Instead allow for a partial site survey.
And finally a waiver from section one 90 dash 2 79,
EE.
E against middle requirements to not provide survey information for
all properties within a thousand feet of the subject property.
And my motion would be to.
Grant all three of those waivers.
Waivers and it would be.
Based on the rationale.
Rationale provided by the applicant in the waiver request.
Letters submitted on March 20th, 2025.
And with findings that strict conformity.
Would pose an unnecessary hardship.
And that the specific circumstances or conditions of the land.
Would indicate that these three waivers can be granted.
While still properly carrying out the spirit intent of the
regulations.
Alright, thank you. Motion by Mr. Barley. Is there a
second?
Second by Mr. Green.
Any further discussion.
All those in favor. Aye. Motion passes.
Passes Mr. Riley, would you like to continue?
Absolutely. So
again, with respect to case a 25 dash 0 34 site
plan amendment.
For Robie park, I would like to then make a
motion.
To grant final site plan approval.
And
that motion would be with a finding that the site
plan amendment does meet the approval criteria outlined in section
one 90 dash 1 46 D.
And that final approval would include.
The subsequent conditions.
Identified in the staff report.
Letters a through L
thank you. Motion by Mr. Barley.
Is there a second. Second by Mr. Green. I do
have a question though. Oh,
any further discussion.
Mr. Green, please. Thank you.
The time of the
course is open 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Would subsequent petition conditions, a.
Minor drafting corrections be able to.
To correct that. I just wanna put that on the
record. I mean, from my perspective, I think, yes, I
think they uncovered right. Bob. You agree?
I, I wouldn't, I would agree. And I don't know
if, if Mr. Hudson.
Can nod his head on that one, but yeah. Okay.
But no good point. Thank you. No problem.
Further discussion.
Alright, none.
All those in favor. Aye. Aye. Aye. Motion passes.
Moving on our agenda.
Stand back real quick. Stand back real quick. No, not
really. he's gone.
Thank you. Yeah. Thank you.
Let the room clear out.
Jim. Thank you very much. Quiet.
I'm sorry, we, we still have other business items today.
You're welcome to stay if you'd like to listen, but
we are gonna continue.
All right. Dan, Dan.
Hudson city engineer has rejoined us.
Next time on the agenda review of.
Tentative agenda projects and regional impact.
Has any member of the board had an opportunity to.
Review.
The future applications and is willing to make a motion
regarding.
Regional impair, Mr. Hudson, please. Mr. Chair, I have reviewed
the tentative agenda. I find.
No projects of regional significance.
All right, motion by Mr. Hudson.
Is there a second.
Second by Mr. Green, any further discussion.
All those in favor. Aye. Aye. Motion passes.
Passes. All right. Last item on the agenda under other
business.
For Sam.
Sam, how much of a deep dive do you
want to go into inclusionary zoning standards tonight? Because I
don't want to go into a deep dive. I wanna
provide a couple of updates. This is we've been working
on this.
Throughout this week, I will say.
You know, we, we took some direction. The last time
we talked about this in regards to incorporating the formula.
Into the document in which we have done. We've had
some.
Ongoing conversation about the regulation of household size.
Which has directly correlated to HUD AMI levels. And then
how that relates to how large of a house someone
can buy.
And we've kind of gone back and forth, back and
forth. And I think we actually we've come full circle,
you know, having taken issue with how it was originally
written.
And now kind of seeing.
Some of the, the faults in the logic of that
original issue that we took and kind of coming back
around to saying,
you know, you, you do get capped at how big
of a household you can buy. We did. We wanted
to pull away from.
Really caring about how many people were in a given
household, but because that is so.
Closely correlated to AMI. We really can't separate those two
issues.
Issues the problem being, you know, say you're a single
person.
Making 150% of AMI.
For a one bedroom.
Well, you might be making 80% AMI for a six
bedroom. Now, does that make you qualified to go by
a six bedroom?
You know, affordable house.
Probably not. We, we want to avoid that, that.
Essentially the, the gaming of the system. So with that
said, I think we still have some.
Slight amendments to make to the document to kind of
shore that up. But you have this newer version.
Before you you've had the opportunity to look at it.
Happy to take any, any questions as to, you know,
the document it's current form before you.
But I think it would be fair to say that
you can expect a.
A final document. If you will, final draft at the
May 15th meeting.
All right.
Questions for Sam.
Righty. Just taking a quick look ahead.
Sam is east Otterson.
Still go for the 15th, you think? Or are they
gonna need a little bit more still to be determined?
Okay.
And I guess for, for folks that that may not
have known.
Paket
is officially at a business at this point. So.
That's actually why the 55, a ible ible case got
continued tonight.
I don't know what's going on with their records or
their representation, but they were sort of a victim of
the circumstance. So.
So anyway, made her in pocket is, is no longer
a business. So.
Let's see, get around for a long time.
So I think
that was, that was all I had.
I just wanna make two other points. We have a,
we're working with plan, New Hampshire. They're a group that does
design charettes and, and other services for municipalities where we
actually have two events coming up with them in may
the nine 19th in combination, like I spring work workshop,
there'll be a panel discussion.
It's going to be on the third floor of the
center for the arts.
We'll have representatives from the real estate community. Dan Scanlan
is going to be a panelist. We also have someone
from GZA environmental, so geotechnical, Heather shank, the director of
the office of planning and development with the state will
also be speaking. And then Liz Hauer echo economic director
will be participating in the panels.
As well, talking about planning and developing in, in uncertain
times and how public private partnerships are so integral to
the success of projects now. And, and, and really in
light of, of current situations.
We will also then follow on with a walking tour
of some downtown sites. I really kind of building on
the discussion of the panel and then finishing at, at
rambling house for a kind of a social hour. And
that's on the ninth, 19th on the 30th and the
31st will be holding a char.
Charette for the Millard. There has been a lot going
on in the mill yard. There's a lot of planning
that is really needs to happen. And I think.
Utilizing plan new Hampshire's capabilities.
The technical abilities in bringing in a, a public process
with that charette and that visioning for the area is
really coming at a perfect time. As we're writing regulations
in the new land use code, you know, we're talking
about utilizing, you know, BIDA.
And, you know, redeveloping city property within the mill yard
and working with some of the people who already have
projects underway in the mill yard, it's really coming at
at a great time.
So just wanted to plug those two events.
Events and my final item, you may recall.
Voting to give Mr. Bollinger the authority to sign a
letter of support for a housing champions designation. We, we
did receive that designation while back, and, and as a
reminder that allowed us to apply for some competitive grant
funds. We sought funding for a.
Per unit award. So basically you can apply for about
$10,000 per unit that was marked as affordable at 60%
AMI, we submitted for the.
Monahan Manor project. And we were received an award and
went through the process with the alderman for first and
second reading last week for a total of $828,000.
That we will be putting into the housing revolving fund
for.
Future projects and, and, you know, housing planning adjacent.
Exercises so, so great news. And it was a bit
of a scramble to get all that in. And it
was, it was worth it.
Excellent. Thank you, Sam. Appreciate.
I guess a before, ask for a motion to adjourn.
I just, I appreciate everybody.
Kind of pushing through tonight. These ones were, there's gonna
be a lot, lot of public testimony. I, I know
those can go a, a number of different ways, but
I, I think overall folks did.
I, I think we've seen others that maybe didn't go
that, that smoothly way much better than I thought I
would. No, thank you. They're great. Thank you everybody. For,
for pulling through.
But that was, that was it. So we willing to
take a motion to adjourn.
Adjourn anyone, anyone? Mr. Chair. Ms. Harper, please.
I thought all the testimony was important by the way.
But Mr. Chair, I'd like to make a motion to
adjourn.
Adjourn. All right. All those in favor.
Aye. Aye. And we are adjourned at 10 22.