Nashua Planning Board Meeting Summary - December 4, 2025

The City of Nashua Planning Board held a regular meeting on the evening of December 4, 2025, to address administrative matters and review multiple development applications. The board accepted jurisdiction for several cases, including conditional use permits, site plan extensions, and a tax-deeded property auction referral. Significant discussions surrounded the traffic mitigation for a high school athletic complex and the legal phrasing of a conditional use permit amendment where the certificate of occupancy had already been issued. Several applicants successfully secured extensions of time, while public testimony highlighted concerns regarding traffic safety, tree preservation, and community access to meeting documents.

Consent Calendar

• Alderman Clee moved, and Mr. Varley seconded, to approve the minutes from the November 6, 2025, meeting. The motion passed with five ayes and abstentions from Mr. LeClair, Mr. Zoller, and Mr. Bollinger to take jurisdiction for all cases discussed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Regarding Bishop Caverlin (40 Groton Road):
  • Ms. Sri Thatdonibudhi expressed concern regarding the death of trees in the buffer zone abutting her property and requested confirmation that new trees will be planted to reduce noise and maintain the buffer.
  • Mr. John Tradchalk questioned the specifics of the facility's usage (games vs. practices), hours of operation, and requested clarification on pedestrian safety improvements, specifically the installation of sidewalks and crosswalks near the Dunstable Land Trust and public access to the facilities.
  • Mr. Joe Farali expressed concern about construction safety, heavy equipment traffic on residential roads, potential light pollution affecting his residence, and the lack of sidewalks and crosswalks. He inquired about allowing public access to the private athletic facilities for local children.
  • Ms. Beth Raymond testified regarding the difficulty residents face in accessing Planning Board documents online, stating that navigating the city website was overly complex and required contacting her alderman to obtain necessary records for the Peniack Street project.

Discussion Items

• Case A25-0179 (Casino Gaming Facility at 310 Daniel Webster Highway): Board members debated the language of an amendment to Condition No. 1, which references a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) that has already been issued. While the applicant sought only a deadline extension for off-site intersection improvements, the board agreed to clarify that the financial surety (bond) remains in effect to ensure completion, rather than withholding the CO. Alderman Clee suggested that the legal record should explicitly note that the CO was granted but improvements remain pending, whereas others argued the condition structure was sufficient as-is.
• Case A25-0181 (Medical Office at 169 Daniel Webster Highway): The board reviewed an engineering letter with conditions, including a traffic impact report. Concerns were raised that the report might trigger a financial contribution. The board discussed whether to include language mandating a voluntary contribution of $250 per trip generated to the Daniel Webster Highway Quarter Fund if the report indicates a significant increase in traffic. The applicant's representative agreed to meet these conditions.
• Case A25-0162 (Bishop Guion High School Athletic Field at 40 Groton Road): Staff recommended continuing the application to resolve outstanding traffic mitigation issues, including specific safety improvements like bypass shoulders and flashing beacons at the Main Dunstable Road intersection, citing recent crashes and heavy traffic near the school. Residents raised concerns about construction noise, traffic safety, and the lack of a sidewalk on the north side of Groton Road. The applicant agreed to work with staff on these safety measures but requested the extension and phasing to be approved to facilitate fundraising and vesting.
• Case A25-0041 (Six-Unit Condominiums at 16 Pinnachuck Street): The board discussed a request for waivers regarding existing conditions, lighting plans, and sidewalk installation. Engineering comments regarding drainage overflow were identified as a matter to be resolved before plan signing. A resident submitted a letter concerning the potential impact of site work on a nearby tree.
• Case A25-0180 (Marguerite's Place at 106 Pine Street): The board discussed a straightforward one-year extension request due to pending funding for a homeless shelter project. The board expressed strong support for the project's community value.
• Referral R25-221 (Tax-Deeded Property Auction): Staff noted that three properties (specifically 3-5 Curtis Drive, Irene Street, and El Narrow Street) may abut wetlands or conservation areas, raising questions about their suitability for auction. Board members debated whether to add specific language to the recommendation or send a separate staff letter to the Board of Alderman regarding these properties.

Key Outcomes

• A25-0179: Motion passed unanimously to amend Condition No. 1 of the September 5, 2024 approval, extending the completion deadline for off-site improvements to August 31, 2026. The board clarified that the financial security remains active to ensure compliance despite the Certificate of Occupancy already being issued.
• A25-0181: Motion passed unanimously to approve the Conditional Use Permit with conditions that the engineering comments be resolved prior to the building permit and that a traffic impact report be submitted, with a provision for a potential $250/dry trip contribution to the highway quarter fund if significant trips are generated.
• A25-0162: Motion passed to grant the site plan extension for 24 months from the date of the signed plan and a waiver of Section 190-146(E)(1). The board approved the extension subject to the applicant satisfying all prior traffic-related conditions to the satisfaction of the Division of Public Works prior to the final signing of the site plan.
• A25-0041: Motion passed to grant final site plan approval for the six-unit development and approved three waivers (existing conditions, lighting plan, and sidewalk) in exchange for a $2,550 in-lieu contribution, subject to resolving drainage comments.
• A25-0180: Motion passed unanimously to extend the final site plan approval for 106 Pine Street by one year.
• R25-221: Motion passed to provide a favorable recommendation to the Board of Alderman for the auction of tax-deeded properties, with the added caveat requesting that staff consult regarding potential retention for environmental or conservation purposes, specifically flagging properties that may require further technical evaluation.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:24 PM.