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

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.