[mcdude]

Some Weirs Blvd. project concerns lessened

Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Although they've yet to see the formal application, members of the Planning Board reacted favorably Tuesday to a preliminary version of a 291-unit condominium project on Weirs Boulevard.

Since 2004, Brady-Sullivan Properties of Manchester has been looking to build the "Langley Cove" condominium community on the boulevard, but it has been stymied by board concerns about steep slopes, over-density and the threat posed by storm-water runoff from the property into Paugus Bay, which is the source of Laconia's municipal water supply.

Planning Board Chairman Kyril Mitchell told the developer's representatives that what was presented Tuesday evening was "quantifiably better" than what it last saw in 2008 when Brady-Sullivan had presented plans for a 341-unit project.

Tim Sheldon, Brady-Sullivan's director of development and design, said his company — which in 2004 envisioned 375 residential units on the 66-acre property at 553 Weirs Blvd. (the developer now also owns an additional 17 adjacent acres on White Oaks Road) — listened to what the board had to say and took it to heart.

"We seem to be at kind of a tipping point," Sheldon said, in terms of Brady-Sullivan having addressed board concerns about slopes, soils, watershed quality and reduced project density.

The plans before the board Tuesday for a design review, during which board members and the public can make suggestions to a developer before his or her returning with a formal site plan application, reflected "what you've been telling Brady-Sullivan for four years" Sheldon said.

According to a slide show presentation, the new Langley Cove project has a 70-percent reduction in the amount of development that would take place on steep slopes, a 44-percent reduction in impervious surfaces and a 154-percent increase in total green space.

"This is a much-improved plan," Sheldon summed up, noting that there was less development of the site and fewer total units and "most of our buildings are off the steep slopes."

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