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There are some early — and promising — plans for the development of commercial land off Exit 5 in Londonderry.
The town needs commercial development to build its tax base. Town officials are supportive of development off Interstate 93. But they need to be wary of attaching so many conditions to proposals that they drive developers away.
Michael DiGuiseppe of Londonderry Land Development LLC has preliminary plans for a 10-acre parcel at the intersection of Vista Ridge Drive and Rockingham Road. DiGuiseppe told the Planning Board recently of a proposal for a 6,000-square-foot restaurant and 60,000 square feet of retail space.
Although the plan is little more than a concept at this point, members of the Planning Board already are concerned about elements of the proposal. Some expressed worries about aesthetics; others, about traffic.
Board member Mary Wing Soares said smaller separate stores would be more aesthetically appealing than a larger, single unit. Chairman Art Rugg said he didn't want "anything monolithic looking."
This is the kind of nitpicking that makes developers want to run for the hills.
If Londonderry officials want the tax revenue commercial development can provide, they must remember Voltaire's admonition: "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good."
