[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6345870,"mediaKeyId","2247794-4a40f93f33523e094dc0a5bdb66cfbaf","parentId",2247794,"title","Planning Board approves 5-megawatt White Oaks Road community solar project","audioSeconds",430,"startMs",66000,"endMs",496000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247794-4a40f93f33523e094dc0a5bdb66cfbaf&start=66&end=496","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247794-4a40f93f33523e094dc0a5bdb66cfbaf/thumbnail_66000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6345870/New-Hampshire/Planning-Board-approves-5-megawatt-White-Oaks-Road-community-solar-project","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345870-7331bba4b656dc909bff5cdfa368e7ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139835&Signature=lI15IsBYVRJXHp0ThOb7g6H0Hh2H2ag7ke-GldtILwIissyR7ohRPXXdyPAE85vxylyk6SbS8RPiYB3tYF6Q2L4rNWq6-QngTe6UUZksvdSitESA9uaFpncaN11MopM7aRsG5DOTW1z70B5YLwzto5xYGQ7qyD3mLoLcSKRJCttTcR~w1Czs-tWFlyMyG0QbKx3BSqJ9TTfnqrHwTqFORuCUs7Fl4nKoJPvRPchIN6VfmQx5EzgAbIt9aTaiMktds6QXtzBkY~VbEtnGc7V6PWXLtbDsadBYxxgOw4TZtrA8SNPG9dE3S3SQlGeoYrjdAq79271e0N6n0Sjv6JU1cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Laconia NH","date","2025-02-05T13:44:14Z","article","The Laconia Planning Board on Feb. 4 voted to approve application PB2025‑014 for a 5-megawatt alternating‑current (AC) photovoltaic community solar energy system on White Oaks Road after discussing site layout, clearing, access and utility interconnection.

The project will develop roughly 21 acres of a larger roughly 111‑acre parcel and place two separate arrays in upland areas divided by wetlands and a transmission right‑of‑way. Kevin Corbett, representing the applicant, described the system as a “fixed tilt system” and said the design includes an access drive off White Oaks Road, equipment pads and a 7‑foot security fence around each array. Corbett said the project team has held preliminary meetings with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services wetlands staff and the Department of Transportation and had met with the city’s Technical Review Committee and Conservation Commission.

Board members pressed for details on lighting, fence type, clearing amounts and the point of utility interconnection. Corbett said there will be no continuous night lighting for the array, only possible motion‑sensor lighting at equipment pads if needed, and that fences would likely be chain‑link or similar agricultural mesh. He said the applicant estimates about 24.71 acres of clearing and 10.88 acres of trimming (about 36 acres total when combined with the 21 acres of array footprint) and that the panels will be set back roughly “just over 300 feet” from White Oaks Road.

The utility connection remains unresolved. Corbett told the board he had spoken with Eversource and that the utility had suggested an alternate tap on Fillmore Road but the project team pushed back because heavy wetlands make that route infeasible; he said Eversource would follow up. Planning Director Rob Mora told the board that any change to the planned point of interconnection would require the applicant to return to the Planning Board for an amendment, not a staff administrative approval.

Staff recommended conditions of approval that the board adopted, including: revised final plans; erosion controls and inspection prior to site work; a pavement/road repair escrow or a road agreement to the satisfaction of the Department of Public Works; a performance guarantee for site improvements and landscape security (staff recommended a guarantee equal to 11 percent of estimated costs for site work and for landscaping, or a specified minimum); required permits from state and federal agencies before final plan recording; required Knox boxes for gates and compliance with Fire Department access specifications; and third‑party stormwater pollution prevention inspections approved by DPW. The approval includes a project completion deadline of Feb. 4, 2030, after which the conditional approval would lapse unless an extension is filed.

Board members also added a condition addressing operational noise: the applicant agreed to mitigate any verified noise problem and to fund third‑party decibel testing if complaints required it. Corbett said in public remarks that inverters produce a low hum during daylight hours and that at typical setback distances the sound would be around 37–38 decibels (comparable to library noise levels) and that barriers could be added near equipment if necessary.

The resolution of certain items remains procedural: Corbett said the applicant has had preliminary conversations with DES wetlands and with NHDOT/AOT but had not yet filed all state permit applications; staff required copies of permits before final plan signing and recording. The board recorded that the Zoning Board of Adjustment previously granted a special exception for power generation at the parcel on Sept. 16, 2024, and the Technical Review Committee reviewed the plan on Sept. 17, 2024; the Conservation Commission reviewed the project on Sept. 18, 2024 and reported no concerns.

The board moved and approved the application with the staff conditions and the added noise‑mitigation language. The vote was recorded as unanimous.

Planning Director Mora told the board that if Eversource later requires a different point of interconnection the applicant must return to the Planning Board for an amendment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Board Meeting 02/04/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Laconia Planning Board on Feb. 4 voted to approve application PB2025‑014 for a 5‑megawatt AC photovoltaic community solar energy system on White Oaks Road.","taxTitle","Laconia Planning Board, Laconia, Belknap County, New Hampshire","taxId",68582,"location","New Hampshire","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6345857,"Planning Department wins board backing for new waiver workflow and DRI screening threshold",350,4910000,5260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247794-4a40f93f33523e094dc0a5bdb66cfbaf&start=4910&end=5260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247794-4a40f93f33523e094dc0a5bdb66cfbaf/thumbnail_4910000.jpg","/articles/6345857/New-Hampshire/Planning-Department-wins-board-backing-for-new-waiver-workflow-and-DRI-screening-threshold","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345857-8d8163636aa68672ef26698b612a2fd3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139835&Signature=gFp7ZTiUoqaa1wiI4KVEyf3nbqfyzKCMWbCwfCNJrOlE~cRLsL5ee~KP-5RH6smF3UFiY1L1hImIdxqn5hnjUk5IUObuINifNbbIjxqkdPnZgpT52zC4WTcydbNTxPaDIGm1kreeR-vQOV-~yhEm2zACmTWHA6ZbBaEnE1-BmWSljOPLHYaZsOHewLOsewU4NU-wuA71dyYY~8r2wzIE4lLC0bC4Z7FixuL6bLEq7y5URg6SpzGjZLBgyqdG2~r~a3vrKBtm0uuev4tFV3dPayiBRHK7N7bFC2FO-H1SF01SPZMFZb0J8AQo4iNdX-jM2nuLqC7IK31Y6pjl2LdR3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Laconia planning staff proposed and the Planning Board adopted two procedural changes at the Feb. 4 meeting: (1) require the Planning Board to review and decide waiver requests prior to formally accepting an application as complete, and (2) adopt a development‑of‑regional‑impact (DRI) screening threshold to trigger intermunicipal notice. Both measures passed unanimously.

Under the new waiver workflow the Planning Department will receive applications with any requested waivers and (1) evaluate and present the waiver, (2) the board will vote to approve or deny the waiver and then decide whether to accept the application as complete, and (3) if accepted, the board will hold the public hearing. Staff advised applicants to submit full plans that meet site plan standards in parallel with waiver requests to avoid delays if the waiver is denied. The intent is to reduce returned/continued applications and avoid a second month of resubmittal for simple waiver denials.

Staff also proposed criteria for triggering DRI notice to abutting municipalities and the Lakes Region Planning Commission. After discussion the board set the residential screening threshold at 200 dwelling units (staff had initially proposed 350, based on five percent of current housing stock). Other suggested DRI criteria include nonresidential projects larger than 100,000 square feet, projects within 300 yards of municipal boundaries that require DOT driveway permits, industrial projects with anticipated emissions (light, noise, odors or particulates), projects that impact aquifers or surface waters crossing municipal lines, and shared facilities (schools, solid waste). The board directed staff to add the DRI flag and notice step to staff reports going forward.

Planning Director Rob Mora said staff will update Planning Department templates and return a checklist to the board showing how the new waiver/acceptance workflow will appear in application materials. Staff also said it will include DRI screening language in application memos and that notices will be sent to abutting municipalities and to Lakes Region Planning Commission when the new thresholds are met.

Board members supported the change as a way to reduce repetitive submissions and to ensure neighboring towns receive timely notice of large developments. The board voted unanimously to adopt the proposal and to set the residential DRI threshold at 200 units.","The Planning Board unanimously approved a three‑step process for handling waiver requests and set a residential development‑of‑regional‑impact threshold at 200 units; staff will update report templates and notify Lakes Region Planning Commission and abutting municipalities when projects meet the threshold.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6345860,"Votes at a glance: Planning Board actions on Feb. 4, 2025",2170,1811000,3981000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247794-4a40f93f33523e094dc0a5bdb66cfbaf&start=1811&end=3981","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247794-4a40f93f33523e094dc0a5bdb66cfbaf/thumbnail_1811000.jpg","/articles/6345860/New-Hampshire/Votes-at-a-glance-Planning-Board-actions-on-Feb-4-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345860-2f0bd379bd1d0b1c3e5de20d6b7936f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139835&Signature=Mm5AGXPMbbSxBH4jKwOP-7Vv2K9RKW4KUfnigqy-0hk0to4OZdNwcGNrM-9Pj-KZZpMHhUMmBR2tN580CLToEheUYgeJbAa88mBY0EcdeQ0fV9x2xryOyilr6PPjxCwV0cUejEP86ldzvMtE~9mf-sSA~mmehTvCFiPAVS8TZQwVr3y05ksqPJfy-yfIl4gPsEe9fumvbGsoOvRJIF91vXpgFHDcAcjnyMwcfwrJUG-sgCUNz~bViJkfuNkQ6pK3KylEoiVXnxBZhs0C5-AFjBZ-up-zUgr74wMzoOQ5K4Qp7mITBAwgsrHa65bK8SJ~scMQp-mM91hqA~JMeXwm9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its Feb. 4 meeting the Laconia Planning Board took several formal actions on consent and agenda items. A short list of outcomes and key details follows.

Votes at a glance

- PB2025‑014 White Oaks Road (5 MW community solar): Approved with staff conditions and added noise‑mitigation requirement; board recorded unanimous approval.

- James Avenue road acceptance (petition to accept as city street): Planning staff and Public Works recommended recommending acceptance; Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend that City Council accept James Avenue as a city street and noted estimated incremental maintenance costs (plowing and pothole repairs) would be borne by the city budget if accepted by council.

- PB2025‑032/3048 Parade Road: Applicant requested and the board voted to continue the application to the March meeting to allow the applicant to obtain Conservation Commission review; continuation was approved unanimously to avoid having to renotice the public hearing.

- PB2025‑036 Mile Hill Road (extension request): The board accepted the application as complete and approved an extension of the project completion date from Feb. 6, 2025 to Feb. 9, 2026; approval was unanimous and staff reminded the applicant that prior conditions of the 2021 approval remain in force.

- PB2025‑031 758 Endicott Street North (sidewalk amendment): Approved as described in separate article (6‑2 vote).

- Board housekeeping: The board voted to amend its application acceptance process for waiver requests (three‑step process: waiver review, application acceptance decision, then public hearing) and adopted a development‑of‑regional‑impact (DRI) screening threshold; the board set the DRI residential threshold at 200 dwelling units. Both procedural recommendations were adopted unanimously by the board and will be added to staff reports going forward so abutting municipalities and Lakes Region Planning Commission are notified when a project meets the DRI criteria.

- Officer appointment: The board nominated and confirmed Rich McNeil as vice chair; the vote was unanimous.

Details, vote tallies and next steps are recorded in staff minutes and in the individual agenda items. Applicants must meet the recorded staff conditions and supply required state and federal permits where directed before final plan sign‑off.","Summary of formal votes taken by the Laconia Planning Board at its Feb. 4 meeting, including approvals, continuances and procedural appointments.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6345866,"Planning Board allows partial sidewalk waiver for Endicott Street North project; 6‑2 vote",1415,2555000,3970000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247794-4a40f93f33523e094dc0a5bdb66cfbaf&start=2555&end=3970","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247794-4a40f93f33523e094dc0a5bdb66cfbaf/thumbnail_2555000.jpg","/articles/6345866/New-Hampshire/Planning-Board-allows-partial-sidewalk-waiver-for-Endicott-Street-North-project-62-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6345866-06049dc243a6d6e58164af6ba7e6b548/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139835&Signature=lPpNnuRqeFivlRURFexID1jEo7ghGxIJbuT~26YSt1YZbIXKGkMmezXCc-HTyPMI2zNBa8ltjz3WScotNLYoi~R6WfNpiFUDlW~7T3UXj2POwovveafx9nNf98x51XgdJ94bKUYqZvafhOfnBRF1DbK5MziPQo1IbIi259oNPMt-ov7rJrUCnLcNKqSRbBazX4kaMlfdykByIwURQxqIBuXChsgGjGX8wg6JtpOcK42m0CeOFdH9KlkD2Z~0meOp-mN1p2SUMgBktmoBWrRr1AahiSikZeT8EYRJcf-JqROnUytH4tfEq2m5VLsRi4BUllfPnabnBMMgzGaLiCW1fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Laconia Planning Board on Feb. 4 approved an amendment to an existing site plan for 758 Endicott Street North (PB2025‑031) to waive construction of a short section of sidewalk on the north side of the driveway while requiring a longer sidewalk to the south. The motion passed 6 in favor, 2 opposed.

Jonathan Boutin, representing Charn Eye Land Holdings, asked the board to eliminate a small portion of the originally required sidewalk that would have continued uphill toward the Meredith town line. Boutin said that the northerly segment would end at an area with a steep slope and existing stormwater management facilities, adding that streams, culverts and a retention pond in the immediate area make a sidewalk there difficult and could require reworking approved stormwater infrastructure.

Abutters and nearby property owners spoke at the meeting. Brian Iskey and a representative of Meredith Crossing said they support the revised plan and noted that their own project will continue the sidewalk further down toward Roller Coaster Road. Concerns raised by board members and staff included the safety of pedestrians arriving at a sidewalk terminus where no continuation exists, the steep slopes and existing drainage swales between the road and proposed walkway, and whether lighting and separation between road and sidewalk would be sufficient. The applicant said the proposed four‑foot sidewalk would sit largely within the state right‑of‑way, would be separated from the road by an existing drainage swale and would include a 2‑degree slope to the swale for drainage; the applicant said the southerly segment toward Roller Coaster Road is approximately 200–300 feet long.

Staff reminded the board that the Planning Board had previously denied a removal of the sidewalk requirement at a December 2024 meeting and had found a January 7, 2025 submittal incomplete; the current submission addressed previous completeness concerns. Staff recommended that final proposed sidewalk improvements be reviewed and approved by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and the Laconia Department of Public Works and that any changes required by those agencies be included on the final plans.

After discussion the board voted to approve the amendment to the site plan and the modified sidewalk layout with those conditions. The vote on the motion to approve application PB2025‑031 (758 Endicott Street North) with staff conditions was 6 in favor, 2 opposed.","The board approved an amendment to an earlier site plan to remove the sidewalk requirement on the northerly side of the driveway for a proposed multiunit project at 758 Endicott Street North after debate about pedestrian safety, drainage and continuity. The motion passed 6‑2.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning Board approves 5-megawatt White Oaks Road community solar project

Planning Department wins board backing for new waiver workflow and DRI screening threshold

Votes at a glance: Planning Board actions on Feb. 4, 2025

Planning Board allows partial sidewalk waiver for Endicott Street North project; 6‑2 vote