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Planning commission recommends 144-unit multifamily project at Victory Boulevard amid school impact concerns
Summary
A proposal for a 144-unit market-rate apartment complex on Victory Boulevard earned a planning commission recommendation despite school staff reporting a projected student impact; the commission emphasized interdepartmental review improvements and requested conditions and future coordination.
The Portsmouth Planning Commission on Aug. 5 recommended approval of a use permit for a 144-unit multifamily development at 4054 Victory Boulevard, a vacant 6.26-acre site near Victory Crossing shopping center.
City planner Bill Lanfair said the project by Varsity Development would build two apartment buildings totaling 144 units (approximately 22% one-bedroom, 50% two-bedroom and 28% three-bedroom). The proposal includes a clubhouse, fitness center, on-site stormwater retention or detention, and about 13% of the site in open space. Lanfair told commissioners the property is not in a flood zone and the city had not received public comments prior to the hearing, though the schools’ memorandum was revised shortly before the meeting to indicate the development would generate some student impacts.
Erin Carter of Varsity Development, the applicant, said the buildings would be market-rate and include community amenities such as a clubhouse and a computer lab that could support students. Commissioners and the applicant discussed access: the primary access is Elmhurst Lane, a private street serving the adjacent shopping center; the applicant noted a secondary access exists that also connects to Elmhurst Lane.
School staff told planners they initially expected little to no impact but provided an updated memo indicating some additional school children and potential staff increases; staff said the school division intended to form a review committee to provide more thorough comments on future multifamily proposals. Several commissioners stressed the importance of interdepartmental review and asked that all city departments provide comments on development applications.
Commissioners moved and seconded a recommendation to approve the use permit with conditions; the commission recorded the action and the item will be forwarded to City Council for final action. The meeting record shows differing transcriptions of the vote; official minutes will state the certified vote tally.
