Summary
The board approved a site amendment for the Lofts 11 project allowing monolithic concrete curb and sidewalk in portions of the private parking area and granted a waiver to plant fewer trees than standard, subject to conditions including use of native plants.
The Concord Planning Board approved amendments to the Lofts 11 redevelopment project on Stickney Avenue on Aug. 20, granting specific waivers to the previously approved site plan.
Tom Zajac, a civil engineer with IMEG representing the developer, said the project team sought alternatives to granite curbing for much of the site to trim construction costs and meet schedule constraints. Zajac said granite curb would remain in the most visible front portion, while monolithic concrete curb and a segmented asphalt (Cape Cod) berm were proposed for side and rear areas where visibility is limited. He said granite curbing is “four times” more expensive and supply and installation availability were factors.
City staff and at least one board member raised concerns about long‑term durability, winter plow impacts and future maintenance for asphalt berms. Board members accepted monolithic concrete curb where the sidewalk adjoins the curb and prohibited asphalt curbing in locations where city engineering requires more durable solutions.
The board also considered a revised landscape plan requested by the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources to preserve the site’s historic character; the revised plan called for greater spacing between trees than the subdivision standard. The board granted a waiver to plant trees at wider spacing than the regulation’s 20‑foot standard (trees at approximately 40‑foot spacing as shown on the plan), subject to a condition that where possible native species be used.
Planning staff noted two additional administrative requests for pavement section and sidewalk thickness; staff said the applicant would revise the sidewalk thickness to the city’s 3‑inch standard on the construction sheets to avoid confusion in the field. The board granted major site plan amendment approval for the modifications, with a condition that no asphalt curb be used within the public standard areas and that the landscaping plan list native species where practicable.
Tom Zajac said site construction was underway and that the developer had already performed extensive subsurface work, including replacement of century‑old drainage infrastructure.
