LONDONDERRY — Advocates for 20-unit senior housing have to wait until the discussion continues at the Planning Board's next meeting Aug. 11.
The Town Council has directed the Planning Board and Community Development Department to reduce the number of units per building from 24 to 16 across the zoning ordinance — including in workforce and senior housing.
But the Elder Affairs Committee and Sara Landry, senior affairs coordinator for the town, are hoping to convince the Planning Board at least 60 units of elderly housing are needed. There is no other senior housing in town.
Town Planner Tim Thompson said at last week's Planning Board meeting legal counsel advised to keep the number of units consistent across the board.
The Elder Affairs Committee recently learned the number of units in the planned senior housing development on Sanborn Road would be reduced from 90 to 60 because of wetlands.
"We can only build three two-story buildings with 20 units per building," Landry said. "At least 60 residents have expressed an interest in senior housing."
Southern New Hampshire Services will pay the town for the land and the town will apply for a Section 202 elderly housing grant through HUD. The grant would pay around $10,000 per unit, which would be used to extend utility, sewer and water lines, all of which stop at North School.
Landry said it wouldn't look good in the grant application if she had to ask for a zoning variance.
She presented a petition signed by 193 residents in favor of the 20-unit buildings.
Rep. Al Baldasaro, R-Londonderry, said he rushed to the meeting from his vacation in Maine to speak on behalf of the seniors. Baldasaro also is vice chairman of the Elderly Affairs Committee.
"You have the authority to do this," Baldasaro told the board. "This is a small footprint. This is apples and oranges — senior housing and workforce housing."
About two dozen residents, many of them seniors, attended the meeting. While many spoke in favor of the 20-unit buildings, a few were against the development.
"There have been tire fires on that property," said Deanna Meale, 72. "My concern is for the people who will live on that property. I would like to see it stay rural. Crime, traffic — I don't want that here in Londonderry."
Community development director Andre Garron said the site has been remediated and is monitored by Envirosense, a company that reports results to the state Department of Environmental Services.
Resident John Curran said 16 units is an appropriate number based on discussions over a year and a half.
"The orchards over at Woodmont are opening up for development," he said. "I don't want to see a Vista Ridge or a Fairways where the apple orchards used to be."
Jim Steele, who runs a caregivers business in town, said he gets two to three calls a week from seniors who can't afford his company's services.
"And we have to turn them away," he said. "They've worked all their lives. Is this the motivation of the board to do the right thing 'not in my back yard?'"
After listening to both sides, the board decided to hold another workshop Aug.11.
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