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Developer previews plan for 230 apartments over parking at Merrimack Premium Outlets; board and neighbors raise light and traffic concerns
Summary
Simon Property Group representatives presented a conceptual plan to build ~230 rental apartments on a deck over parking at the Merrimack Premium Outlets. Board members and nearby residents raised concerns about light pollution, traffic during holiday peaks, and the need for ZBA relief because residential use is not allowed in the overlay district.
Representatives for the Merrimack Premium Outlets presented a conceptual plan on July 15 to build roughly 230 rental apartment units over structured parking on the northern corner of the outlet campus. Gordon Leedy, a landscape architect and certified planner, said the owner is exploring alternatives to previously approved retail and would seek a ZBA variance because residential use is not permitted in the Outlet Village Shops overlay district.
Leedy said the concept uses structural parking with apartments above, preserving the site's previously approved impervious footprint and providing shared parking that could serve both retail and residences. He said preliminary fiscal modeling indicates residential could generate more net tax revenue for the town than the previously approved retail alternative, though detailed studies on sewage, fire suppression and traffic would be required before any formal application.
Public reaction and board questions Nearby residents told the board they already experience light intrusion from the outlets and worried that a five‑story residential structure with balconies and an amenity deck would increase light pollution, nighttime noise and holiday traffic. Adrianna Hensley, who lives behind the outlets, said, "There's a lot of light pollution as well. Light comes into my bathroom, my bedrooms." Attorney Crystal Maldonado, representing neighbors, asked what mitigation would be offered for lighting, buffering and traffic; residents also asked whether new access roads and circulation would be needed for future residents during peak outlet hours.
Board members suggested the applicant consider workforce housing, examine screening and lighting plans to reduce spill and clarified that any residential plan must first get ZBA relief and an amended conditional use permit before returning for site plan review. The applicant said it will pursue technical studies (traffic, utilities, fire suppression) and coordinated outreach to nearby residents before filing.
