Hooksett Planning Board Meeting

Date: August 3, 2026 Time: (Evening meeting - exact time not recorded)
Location: Hooksett Town Hall
Members Present: Paul Scarpetti, Chris Stelman, Mike Somers, David Russell, Jared Williams, Jim Sullivan (Chair), Yuri (last name not given), and others. Seven members voting at start.

The meeting covered approval of prior minutes, election of a vice chair, a continued public hearing for Cardinal Landing (age‑restricted housing), a contested public hearing for Mary Go Round Childcare Center’s site plan amendment, adoption of rules of procedure, and discussion of a potential cottage‑court zoning concept.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of July 20, 2026: Approved with two minor corrections (line 873 changed “well” to “within”; line 880 corrected “32 years” to “32 students”). Unanimous.
• Vice Chair Election: Mike Somers nominated and elected unanimously to serve as vice chair.

Public Comments & Testimony

Mary Go Round Childcare Center – The applicant (represented by Attorney William Grandfields of Grandfield Legal Services PLLC) requested replacement of Condition #5 from a fixed enrollment cap of 32 children to a condition stating: “Maximum enrollment shall not exceed the number of children authorized by the applicable New Hampshire DHHS/DCYF child care program license as determined by the property square footage, fire safety compliance, and health officer inspections in effect at any given time under RSA 170‑E.” The business (owned by Mary Ann French) has operated since 1988 and received state licenses for up to 41 children (present capacity 41; actual enrollment reported as 28–38 at various times).

Testimony in favor (parents and employee):

• Several parents praised Mary Go Round’s strict parking/drop‑off rules, high‑quality care, and willingness to accept special‑needs children that other centers reject. They stated drop‑offs are quick (under a minute per car) and that the vast majority of parents follow the provided parking plan.
• A lead teacher (Catherine Tilton) stated she parks off‑street and has never seen issues; she noted that the neighborhood’s traffic delays come from school buses, delivery trucks, and general through traffic, not from Mary Go Round families.
• Another parent (Derek Chalinus), a former neighbor, said the facility is quiet on weekends and evenings and that she often saw speeders unrelated to the daycare.

Testimony opposed (abutters):

• Scott McMillan (10 Morgan Drive, directly across) described daily parking violations: cars lining the street, blocking his driveway, speeding, U‑turns, children running between cars. He stated that a 41‑child capacity would make conditions worse and that no one asked abutters about the earlier compromise of 32 children.
• Mark Francois (8 Wagon Drive) argued that the business is a commercial use in a residential zone and that future corporate ownership would likely seek to expand further.
• Tom Benz (11 Morgan Drive) cited winter ice from water discharge (later traced to Route 3, not the daycare) and constant noise from children in the backyard.
• Danielle McCrossan Annable (7 Morgan Drive) noted that 36 neighbors signed a petition against the increased capacity and asked the board to preserve the quiet residential character.

Discussion Items

1. Cardinal Landing (Map 26, Lots 81 & 811, 65 Farmer Road) – Continued public hearing for a voluntary lot merger and 22 age‑restricted units. The applicant later clarified that the approved number was 37 units (not 22). The town planner recommended a full waiver of school impact fees because the age‑restricted development (Article 7: all occupants 55+ or 40+ for second occupants) is unlikely to generate school‑aged residents and the existing impact fee schedule is outdated. The board voted to approve the waiver, subject to permanent occupancy restrictions. Motion passed unanimously (7‑0).

2. Mary Go Round Childcare Center – The board deliberated at length. Key points:

• The planning board’s December 8, 2025 decision had capped enrollment at 32 children as a compromise.
• The applicant argued that the state (DHHS/DCYF) regulates daycare capacity via square footage, and the town exceeded its authority by setting a fixed number.
• Several board members (Jared, Jim) expressed concern that removing the cap would cede all control to the state and allow future owners to increase enrollment without further site plan review.
• The board noted that the current site plan (from 1988) is outdated; there is no survey or parking/ traffic study showing current conditions.
• A motion to deny the waiver (i.e., keep condition #5 with 32‑cap) failed 5‑2.
• A subsequent motion to disapprove the amended site plan and deny replacement of condition #5 also failed 5‑2. As a result, the original condition (maximum 32 students) remains in effect.

3. Rules of Procedure – The board adopted the 2026‑27 rules of procedure as presented, with the understanding that a clarification about alternates continuing on continued hearings would be brought to a future meeting. Unanimous.

4. Other Business –

• The town planner reported receiving a public notice from the Town of Barnstead regarding a communication tower hearing on August 6, 2026.
• The next Planning Board meeting (August 17, 2026) will include a special exception request from Gary Roy for a property on Chester Turnpike.
• Raven’s Nest storage facility requested an administrative amendment to its phasing plan (no physical changes); the planner intends to approve it administratively.
• James (board member) introduced a concept for a “cottage court” residential development on Mammoth Road, a new housing typology not currently allowed by zoning. The board agreed to have the land‑use subcommittee (chaired by Paul and Mike) review examples from Bedford and Londonderry and consider a zoning amendment for the 2027 town meeting. The subcommittee will meet on the second Wednesday of September (September 9, 2026).

Key Outcomes

• Cardinal Landing: Full waiver of school impact fees for the 37 approved age‑restricted units, with permanent occupancy restrictions. Motion carried 7‑0.
• Mary Go Round Childcare Center: The board denied both the waiver request and the amended site plan (each 5‑2). The fixed enrollment cap of 32 children remains in place. The applicant may reapply with a complete, up‑to‑date site plan and traffic study.
• Rules of Procedure: Adopted unanimously, with a future amendment regarding alternate member voting on continued hearings to be discussed.
• Land‑Use Subcommittee: Will reconvene to explore a “cottage court” zoning amendment; first meeting scheduled for September 9, 2026.