Planning Board Meeting - July 20, 2026

The Hooksett Planning Board met on July 20, 2026, with six members present. The meeting opened with the election of a chair, approval of prior minutes, and introduction of a new acting town planner. The board then reviewed and voted on a capital improvements plan, continued public hearings for two age-restricted housing projects, approved a utility pole storage yard, and discussed a childcare center amendment and a Walmart expansion. Several items required continuances due to pending waivers or legal questions.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from June 15, 2026: Motion by Jim, second by Jared. All in favor. Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cardinal Landing (Lori Pocket et al.): William Reese, abutter at 7 Barberry Street, expressed concern about the impact of the project on his well. He stated he had not received test results and wanted to know his rights if his well were affected. The applicant’s representative responded that the well is in a separate aquifer and testing showed no impact on neighboring wells.
• Highland Street (James Island LLC): No public comments were made.
• Eversource Pole Yard: No public comments.
• Murray Garrown Childcare: No public testimony was taken; the item was tabled.
• Walmart: No public testimony; the hearing was continued.

Discussion Items

1. FY28-33 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Review and Recommendation Town Administrator Andre Guerin presented the CIP, previously shown on June 15. The board voted to remove the item from the table and then approved the CIP for recommendation to the town council. Motion by Jim, second by Jared. All in favor.

2. Cardinal Landing – 37-unit age-restricted community, 65 Farmer Road Continued public hearing. Applicant Justin Daniel (Granite Engineering) presented plans for a 37-unit, 55+ community with fourplex, triplex, and duplex units. Discussion addressed water supply (shared well approved by NHDES), traffic (low volumes), stormwater design, lighting, and landscaping. A waiver was granted for a dead-end road. The board deliberated on school impact fees, ultimately applying all impact fees but allowing the applicant to request a waiver later. The motion to approve included 14 conditions, including architectural enhancements on front units. Motion carried (all in favor).

3. James Island LLC – 23-unit age-restricted community, Highland Street Continued public hearing. Applicant Ian McGregor (North Point Engineering) presented a revised plan for 23 single-family homes (originally 25, reduced to 23). Discussions focused on density, stormwater, site distance, and waivers. The board granted waivers for site distance and dead-end road but denied waivers for construction inspections and surety bonding. After deliberation, a motion to reduce the project to 22 units (removing Unit 1) passed 4-2. The board then approved the plan with conditions, including a lighting plan note. Motion carried (with dissents on the reduced unit count).

4. Public Service DBA Eversource – Pole Storage Yard, 21 Lahu Drive New application. Applicant Nick Golan (TF Moran) described a 5.1-acre gravel pole yard adjacent to existing Eversource facilities. No new traffic or buildings; stormwater managed via swales and infiltration. The board accepted jurisdiction and declared no regional impact. Five waiver requests were granted (landscaping, lighting specifications, erosion prevention plan format, boundary survey, soil boundaries). The plan was approved with 11 conditions, including a note that if zoning relief is later found necessary, the applicant must obtain it. Motion carried (one abstention).

5. Murray Garrown Childcare – Amended Decision, 13 Morgan Drive The applicant requested amendment to a previously approved condition capping enrollment at 32 children. Legal questions arose regarding whether this was an appeal or an amendment, and whether the board had authority to revise the condition. Several members expressed concerns about due process. The board voted 4-2 to table the matter to August 3, 2026, to seek legal counsel.

6. Walmart – Amended Commercial Site Plan, 3 Commerce Drive Applicant Justin Letier (Colliers Engineering) proposed an 8,125 sq ft expansion for curbside pickup, reducing parking from 798 to 758 spaces. The reduction triggers a parking waiver requirement. The board voted to continue the hearing to August 17, 2026, to allow submission of a formal written waiver request. During discussion, members also noted the presence of storage containers on site and encouraged the applicant to address them in the updated plan.

Key Outcomes

• CIP: Approved for recommendation to Town Council. (Unanimous)
• Cardinal Landing: Approved with conditions, including architectural enhancements. School impact fees applied; waiver may be requested later. (Unanimous)
• Highland Street (James Island LLC): Approved for 22 units (reduced from 23) with conditions. Motion to reduce units passed 4-2; final approval carried with dissent.
• Eversource Pole Yard: Approved with conditions including potential zoning clarification. (5-0-1 abstention)
• Murray Garrown Childcare: Tabled to August 3, 2026, for legal consultation. (4-2)
• Walmart: Hearing continued to August 17, 2026, for parking waiver submittal.
• Review of Planning Board Rules & Procedures: Tabled to next meeting.