Lands and Buildings Committee Re-reviews Danais Proposal on June 1. The Committee Votes Approval of the Proposal and the Board of Mayor and Aldermen Also Vote Approval on the Same Date.

The Committee on Lands and Buildings met on June 1, and the Discussion of the Danais proposal for the acquisition and development of the Norhwest Business Park continued.

Jay Minkarah and Richard Danais were also present at this meeting and answered questions posed by the aldermen. Minkarah noted that changes in information supplied to the Committee at their previous meeting largely concerned the fire station and "minor" changes to be made in the zoning ordinance.

It was noted that a $2 million cap on the fire station had been re-established, that is, Danais will pay up to this amount to have the fire station built, and also pay the difference between the fire station cost and a $2.8 million price for the 123+ acres of Hackett Hill property he hopes to own. The City will also have a role in how the station will be constructed.

When asked about the time frame for the station development, Danais said he hoped the first station design would be completed in August, that bids would be made for it in September and the low bidder selected, that building would continue throughout the winter of 2010-2011, and the station would be ready for use in the second quarter of 2011.

The Business Park is slated to occupy 123+ acres of the 428 acres of land owned by the city. Danais will be paying $90,000 in taxes to the city per year after he has acquired the property. He noted that 3 groups had aready voiced interest in locating on the property and that he expected some site work to be done in he spring of 2011.

If a 3 million dollar building is constructed on the property (for example), the City would receive annual taxes from it of $53,000. Danais noted that "if everything goes well, total build-up will occur in about 5 years and the City would then receive an annual revenue from the Business Park of ~$1.6 million per year."

Chairman Osborne then commented that "if is the biggest word in the dictionary."

In response to a question from Alderman Shea, it was noted by Danais that a traffic study will be discussed when the site plan goes before the Planning Board.

It was noted that the Lands and Buildings Committee's vote and the proposed zoning changes could go before the full Board of Mayor and Aldermen at their meeting scheduled for later in the evening. A vote was taken for approval of the project and all committee members approved except Alderman Osborne.

Before the meeting adjourned, it was noted that within a 10 day period, the City Clerk would set a date for a Public Meeting that concerned the zoning changes.

The Danais sale was subsequently taken up at the BMA meeting that evening and approved, with Alderman Osborne opposed. It was emphasized that the planned development does not include the Preserve. Mayor Gatsas thanked the many people in city government who had been involved in the land sale. He noted that thoughts on using the land for conservation purposes were not possible since funds were badly needed for the city's tax base.

A public hearing related to the request for approval and adoption of the proposed zoning changes was scheduled for June 22.

Subsequently, in a June 6 Union Leader article, Beth LaMontagne Hall shed further light on the zoning changes that would accompany the Hackett Hill land sale.

Hall reported that Danais has proposed changing the zoning of an11.5 acre parcel on Hackett Hill Road (the location of the present fire station) from "Research Park District" to "Neighborhood Business District" so that a store and/or restaurant could be located here.

She also noted that Danais wants to change the definition and allowable uses of the actual Research Park. In addition to present allowable uses - professional offices, educational, research and development facilities, he would like to add "commercial and industrial uses associated with the production of goods, materials and knowledge." Examples of uses permitted in this instance would be adult day care facilities, warehousing or wholesale storage, distribution facilities and manufacturing.

Hall had queried Alderman Osborne about his opposition to the Danais purchase. Osborne had responded that he didn't feel there was a necessity for the park at present, and he questioned its value.

The Union Leader published a number of comments by readers of the article. Two of them concerned the portion of the article that dealt with the zoning changes.

Dave Sims, Derry ,wrote:

"Bulldoze an area of untouched trees, build lots of bland steel warehouses.

Go New Hampshire!

.... We are such a freaking joke!"

Breyer S, Manchester, wrote:

"The Hackett Hill area used to be my stomping ground when I was a kid. If this beautiful place turns into a warehouse jungle, I think I will vomit. There's ways to develop the land and still respect it as well. One commonly accepted way is to develop it in more of a "campus" style layout. This is why the city wants research themed businesses to move into the area; the facilities ar better suited for this style. It's hard to respect the land (or my childhood memories) with steel whales and oceans of asphalt."