Hooksett Planning Board Meeting Summary - March 16, 2026
Hooksett Planning Board Meeting Summary - March 16, 2026
This meeting of the Hooksett Planning Board covered several agenda items, including a routine approval of minutes, a one-year extension for a condominium subdivision, a public hearing for a major mixed-use development (continued to April 6), and approval of an amended phasing plan for a commercial redevelopment. The board also received updates on other projects and discussed broader planning initiatives.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes from March 2, 2026: Unanimously approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Granite Woods Extension: Kevin Clark, resident of 87 Hackett Hill Road, expressed concern about a previously discussed back entrance near his property. He noted that two years ago the board had assured him that access would never be used. The board confirmed that the back entrance remained off the table.
Discussion Items
- Granite Woods – One-Year Extension of Conditional Approval: The applicant, represented by Attorney Cronin, requested a one-year extension (from March 17, 2025) for a land condominium subdivision plan (Map 17, Lot 7, off Hackett Hill Road). The applicant cited extenuating circumstances: changing capital markets and difficulty securing a user. Discussion clarified that this extension was for the residential condo plan only, separate from another industrial project. The board found the extension reasonable and not caused by applicant delay. The public hearing was opened and closed. The board voted on findings of fact and then approved the extension to March 17, 2027, with conditions unchanged. (Vote: 4-1, with one recusal noted? Actually the vote seemed unanimous but there was one 'no' initially? The transcript shows a roll call with 4 ayes and 1 nay? Actually it says "Aye. Aye. Opposed. Okay." then later they read time limits. So it passed.)
- College Park Drive – Site Plan for Phases 2 & 3 (Mixed-Use Development): This was a public hearing for a site plan proposing two commercial buildings (8,000 sq ft multi-tenant and 3,000 sq ft pad) and an 80-unit multifamily building. The applicant (Brady Sullivan, represented by Attorney Cronin, engineers, and architects) presented the plan. Extensive discussion covered architecture, landscaping, traffic impact, and two waiver requests. The board raised concerns about the commercial building's visibility, need for better tie-in to existing buildings, and pedestrian connectivity. The traffic consultant presented a phased approach to signal retiming. The board decided to continue the hearing to April 6, 2026, to allow the applicant to address waiver specifics, landscaping, and architectural refinements. (Vote to continue: unanimous).
- Distribution Oasis LLC – Amended Phasing Plan (Savoy Road): The applicant requested modification of an approved phasing plan for a commercial redevelopment to split Phase 1 into Phase 1A (Buildings B & C) and Phase 1B (Building A), allowing occupancy of completed buildings while finishing Building A. No design changes. The board also approved extending time limits for all phases by one year and added a condition that all automotive repair must be done inside. (Vote: unanimous).
- Planner Updates: Grant provided updates on other projects: Jersey Mike's at 1090 Hooksett Road seeking a parking waiver (short by a few spaces, board expressed concerns about impact), 325 Hackett Hill Road pending ZBA, and other occupancy reviews. The board also discussed the fiscal impact analysis for Heads Pond and potential trail connectivity, with a desire to link conservation areas.
Key Outcomes
- Granite Woods Extension: Approved (4-1? Vote recorded as 4 ayes, 1 nay? But later roll call showed 4 ayes and 1 no? Actually the transcript says "All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed? No." So it passed with one opposition.)
- College Park Drive: Public hearing continued to April 6, 2026, with direction to address waivers, landscaping, and architecture.
- Distribution Oasis: Approved, including amended phasing plan, one-year time extensions for all phases, and condition prohibiting outdoor auto repair.
- Conservation/Trails Discussion: The board acknowledged efforts to connect trails but noted challenges with easements and existing restrictions.
Meeting Transcript
Liberty and justice for all right thank you. Members can introduce yourselves, please. Thank you, Mr. Chair Jim Sullivan, the council rep. Pristel Mac. Shena Galvert. David Russell. Jared Williams. All right, there's five of us here. Everybody seated. We'll be voting tonight. First stop. Minutes from March 2nd. Chairman, I'll make a motion to accept the minutes from March 2nd. Motion made by Jared. Do I have a second? Second. Second I want that. Mr. Russell. Dave? All right. Any questions on those? Corrections? Anything? No? Seeing none, all those in favor? Aye. Aye. Opposed. Okay. All right. First up. Um Grant Woods, major subdivision condominium plan, request for one year extension. A little bit of background. Yeah, on uh March 17th, 2025. The planning board approved a land condominium subdivision plan for Granite Woods SP L L C at uh map 17 lot seven. That's off Hackett Hill Road. Uh conditions for signed plans have not yet been fulfilled, and the applicant seeks a one-year extension of the conditional approval. Uh the planning board is allowed to grant up to five one year extensions on any conditional approval. Um extension requests require a public hearing. So that's why we're here tonight. Okay. And for an extension grant, we still have to open up to a public hearing and accept a plan that yeah, by our development regulations, any requests has a a hearing, so you need to accept it and um declare regional impact and do all of that. Um I did hear from uh the applicant, that attorney Cronin. Um got to call at the last minute to represent them. Oh, okay. One why John is sitting there. Uh this is a public hearing and so Mr. Chair, I'd like to uh if we start off, I'd like to make a motion to accept jurisdiction of the applicant.
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