Hooksett Planning Board Meeting - December 1, 2025

The Hooksett Planning Board met on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM (evening) with seven members present. The board reviewed several applications including a wetland special exception, a daycare site plan, a phased commercial development, and a boat electronics business. Public comments were heard on multiple items, and the board approved several motions and referrals.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of November 17, 2025: Approved with one abstention from a member not present at that meeting. A note was made regarding member Bearham’s future membership due to poor attendance.
• Voluntary Lot Merger (Flynn Enterprises): Map 36, Lots 426 & 427 at 199 & 203 Londonderry Turnpike. Approved unanimously as the merger creates a conforming lot (one parcel is a 0.1-acre sliver) and meets all requirements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Daycare (Mary Ann French, 13 Morgan Street): Multiple abutters (Mark Franco, Anita McMillan, Scott McMillan, Danielle McCross) expressed opposition to increasing the number of children from the site-plan-approved 20. They cited traffic, noise, and concerns about a future owner being less considerate. One neighbor noted she originally moved in when the approved number was 20 and observed increased issues when enrollment reached 32–37.
• College Park Drive (Challford Properties): Abutter from 10 Thompson Avenue expressed concern about a future 50-foot building and wetland/sewer construction impacts on his property and wildlife.
• 310 Londonderry Turnpike (Estes’ Property Management): Matt McGee, representing Deer Head (600 members), spoke in favor of keeping the rear parking as gravel (not paved) to manage runoff, and requested low plantings near the intersection for sight lines.

Discussion Items

• Special Exception – Wetland Crossing (Martin Bernard, 325 Hackett Hill Road): The applicant seeks a special exception for a wetland crossing as part of restoring wetlands previously disturbed. The warehouse on the property lacks proper approvals. The board discussed procedural gaps with DES notification and agreed that a site walk with Conservation Commission and ZBA is needed before providing comments. A motion to schedule a site walk passed (7-0).
• Daycare Site Plan Amendment (Mary Ann French, 13 Morgan Street, Continued): The applicant requested amending the 1991 site plan (approved for 20 children) to reflect current operations (licensed for 41, averaging 30–32). The board debated the appropriate cap: abutters wanted 20, some members favored 32 (based on average), others suggested a compromise. After public testimony and legal guidance (zoning verification forms and municipal estoppel), the board approved 32 children with conditions: hours 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, no weekends, and a parking plan (included as appendix). Vote was 5-2.
• Phased Commercial Development (Challford Properties, 2 College Park Drive, Phase One): Phase one involves demolishing/renovating the existing building to vanilla-box commercial space, with later phases for a four-story building. The board waived a traffic study, lighting plan, and landscaping plan for phase one. Impact fees were set at $384,750. The development agreement was replaced with conditions of approval. A motion to approve with specific dates (Phase Two submission by Feb. 28, 2026; Phase Three with Phase Two) and a condition that no CO for apartments until commercial strip is done passed (approved with no votes against counted; one member opposed? The transcript indicates approved).
• Commercial Site Plan (Estes’ Property Management, 310 Londonderry Turnpike): Proposal for a boat electronics business including resurfacing rear parking with gravel, new parking layout, and a retention pond. Waivers for landscaping and gravel parking were granted. The approval includes a condition requiring a spill kit on site. Vote to approve passed (unanimous).
• Zoning Amendments (Articles 10 & 10A): The board held a public hearing on two proposed amendments for the ballot: Article 10 (Commercial District) – removing garages/parking from permitted uses, capping housing at 30% of structure, excluding self-storage; Article 10A (Performance Zone) – removing warehousing except as accessory, and prohibiting automotive uses. Board member Russell presented analysis showing 42% of performance zone parcels are residential, arguing for protecting residential use. Both articles were voted to be placed on the ballot (6-0 for each, after a member left).
• Other: A motion to send a letter to the Town Council urging a vacancy declaration for the alternate position (Mr. Beaham, due to non-attendance) passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes Approved: Yes (1 abstention).
• Lot Merger Approved: Unanimous.
• Wetland Site Walk Scheduled: Motion passed 7-0.
• Daycare (French) Approved: 32 children, 7AM–6PM, no weekends, parking plan included. Vote 5-2.
• Challford Properties Phase One Approved: With conditions (Phase Two deadline Feb 28, 2026; commercial strip CO before apartments). Impact fees $384,750. Waivers granted. Approved (majority).
• Estes Property Management Approved: With spill kit condition. Waivers granted. Approved (unanimous).
• Zoning Articles 10 & 10A: Placed on ballot in next election (both 6-0).
• Alternate Vacancy Letter: Motion passed (unanimous).