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Hooksett planning board backs map amendments for Otterson parcel and Technology Drive master plan
Summary
The town’s planning board recommended placing two zoning map amendments on the ballot: a rezoning of the Otterson parcel (Map 6 Lot 10) from commercial to Mixed Use 2 and a mixed‑use master plan amendment north of Technology Drive; the Otterson recommendation was unanimous and the Technology Drive item passed 6–1 at the planning board.
The planning board has recommended that voters consider two zoning map amendments: rezoning the Otterson parcel (Map 6 Lot 10) from commercial to Mixed Use 2 and approving a Mixed Use 2 master plan area north of Technology Drive.
Grant (staff member) told the Economic Development Committee that the Otterson property, located near the Hooksett Road and Pleasant Street intersection, would move from commercial to Mixed Use 2 and that the planning board voted 7–0 to recommend it for the ballot. He said the developer envisions commercial uses facing Hooksett Road, townhouses farther back and lower‑density residential toward Post Road.
The planning board recommended the Technology Drive amendment by a 6–1 vote. That proposal, for the parcel currently associated with the Amazon/Old Dominion subdivision, would designate an area north of the existing Technology Drive for denser residential development while preserving commercial and industrial pads on the building sites closer to the road.
Why it matters: Grant said rezoning would allow a master‑planned approach and give the town greater control over form and density in those areas. He described potential uses for the Otterson frontage including small retail or service businesses and noted townhouses could act as a buffer between commercial frontage and existing Post Road backyards.
Utilities and staging: Grant said the Otterson parcel lacks sewer and would require sewer service to be brought in. He said developers have two options for water: working east with Manchester Sand & Gravel, which holds vested infrastructure rights tied to other developments, or extending water westward with Hooksett Village Water to avoid coordinating with Manchester Sand & Gravel. He said the developer (Matt Bacon) is waiting to see whether voters approve the rezoning before proceeding with infrastructure work.
Planning board record: Grant described the Technology Drive recommendation as intended to permit more density under a Mixed Use 2 designation and to allow the planning board greater discretion through a master plan process. He said the planning board’s split vote on Technology Drive reflected more debate about that parcel’s details than about the concept itself.
Next steps: Both map amendments were recommended to move forward to the ballot; final placement on the ballot and voter approval would be required before rezoning takes effect.
Sources and context: The planning board votes and the developers’ preliminary concepts were described during the Economic Development Committee meeting. No final site plans, engineering permits or voter approvals had been completed at the time of the discussion.
