On January 12, 2006, the Manchester Planning Board's continued its Public Hearing of the Waterford Development Corporation's "Neighbors at Woodland Pond" project.
Robert Shapiro, the applicant, introduced his development "team" and said they would address issues that had surfaced at the previous hearing.
Mr. Stephen Pernaw addressed questions that concerned needed improvements to Route 3A at Hackett Hill road that were closely related to the planned giant Wal-Mart to be constructed near the Manchester-Hooksett boundary. He stated that there appears to be agreement that two through lanes and a right hand turn will be needed at this point if both the Waterford and Wal-Mart development occur. If the Wal-Mart development does not occur, then only the right hand turn will be needed, with an estimated cost of $150,000 and Waterford would then work out some type of fair share arrangement. It was more or less insinuated that any traffic concerns put forth by the Southern NH Planning Commission were irrelevant or had already been considered.
George Matarazzo, from Matarazzo Land Planning presented an aerial view of the site and noted that the project is well below the density allowed on this site - noting that the zoning laws permitted the building of over 1000 units.
Bill Bergeon from Hayes Engineering noted that an invasive plant species control program had been developed and that monthly monitoring would take place. Todd Connors, a Planning Board member, inquired further about this problem, noting that there should be plans for dealing with various possible instances in which the invasives may surface.
Mr. Shapiro noted that TNC did not want any access into their property and they did not want a parking area to be made available. He felt that a fence or stone wall would be too expense to consruct, however. He noted that he has an "open dialogue" with TNC regarding the "construction risks" mentioned in their letter and he felt their concerns had been addressed within the framework of what is reasonably possible. He did not give any specifics.
At the
public commentary part of the hearing, Pat Mattson represented the
Sierra Club and commented on several points. She stated that any
changes in Route 3 to improve traffic conditions would ultimately
tend to increase traffic in the area. She noted that during the
discussion about traffic there was continual reference to "both
projects" (meaning the Waterford project and the Wal-Mart project),
yet there is actually a third project that should be considered when
projecting traffic effects - the planned construction of an
industrial park behind French Hall, with traffic exiting onto Hackett
Hill Road and then 3A.
She also noted effects of the planned development on natural resources - emphasizing that (1) the Waterford development will destroy a valuable animal corridor; and (2) the soils on Hackett Hill are so thin that the development project would involve extensive blasting, and since the area is uphill and directly adjacent to the swamp, that any effects on hydrology could be hurtful. She closed by saying that although TNC did not want bootleg trails to be constructed on its property, that the Preserve area directly adjacent to the development was ideal for environmental education and she felt TNC would agree with this assessment.