Developer presents 220-unit ‘Bartlett Preserve’ townhomes on South Mammoth Road; neighbors raise traffic, schools and wetlands concerns

Developer representatives presented plans for Bartlett Preserve, a 220-unit townhouse community on a 46-acre site at the corner of South Mammoth, Corning and Lucas roads during the Manchester Planning & Zoning Board meeting on July 3.

The applicant, Stabile Companies, described the proposal as 44 townhouse buildings (four-, five-, six- and eight-unit configurations), a clubhouse, approximately 485 parking spaces, roughly 5,000 feet of private roadway, two wetland crossings and roughly 75% open space. Engineer Tom Zajak said the layout seeks to cluster development in three upland areas and preserve perimeter buffers where the site abuts single-family neighborhoods.

Why it matters: The site is one of the largest undeveloped parcels remaining in the city and sits at a transition point between single-family neighborhoods to the north and multifamily/industrial uses to the south and west. The proposal prompted extended discussion about traffic, school capacity, wildlife habitat, stormwater and neighborhood character — issues the board said must be resolved before a decision.

Developers’ case

Eric Jackson, director of acquisitions and development for Stabile Companies, said the project responds to a local need for “reasonably priced housing,” and that the townhouse form is intended to fit neighborhood character and be less intense than some future zoning changes might allow. He said the firm held about six neighborhood meetings with more than 100 neighbors and revised plans to address feedback.

Civil engineer Tom…