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Planning board continues 20‑unit Loop Road elderly housing proposal after questions on fire access, sewer and sight distance
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Summary
The board continued a proposal to convert four Loop Road properties into a 20‑unit elderly housing development to May 5 after hearing ecological constraints, required shoreland permits, a private sewer pump‑station requirement and fire‑access concerns; the developer was asked to return with architecturals and to resolve DPW and fire department items.
The Merrimack Planning Board continued a proposal for a 20‑unit elderly housing development on Loop Road to the May 5 meeting after prolonged discussion about fire access, utilities, environmental constraints and site design.
Jason Lopez of Keach Nordstrom Associates presented the concept Wednesday and described constraints that limit unit count, including a mapped flood zone running through about one‑third of the rear of the parcel and shoreland protections tied to Babousik Brook. Lopez said ecological reviews flagged potential occurrences of Blanding’s turtle, the eastern hognose snake and New England cottontail, and the applicant will apply to local river advisory committees as required.
Lopez said the project would require a private sewer pump station to lift sewage to a gravity connection on Loop Road; town staff noted the town prefers gravity systems and the pump station would be a private system requiring further DPW review. The fire department raised access concerns: the applicant said the design will seek a 20‑foot paved entrance and will work with the state fire marshal about 18‑foot options if necessary, but the board emphasized meeting fire‑access standards is a priority.
On traffic, Lopez said a memo reviewed by staff indicates a small net increase in daily trips; he initially said “about 42 or so trips a day additional,” then corrected to “At 38,” describing 38 additional daily trips with minor peak impacts. Several board members pressed for clearer sight‑distance calculations and for further work with DPW on road‑geometry standards.
Debbie Zemer, a condo association resident, urged the board to protect private property lines and expressed concern about construction traffic on the narrow Loop Road and whether proposed walkways would cross condo association land. “We have concerns about our property line…We’ve been hearing something about walkways coming across the back of our plot,” Zemer said. Lopez replied the developer is not proposing trails across private condo land and that construction access will need coordination with DPW and the contractor.
Board members said they wanted to see architecture and more complete engineering (particularly fire access and sight‑distance resolution) before an acceptance vote. Staff set a resubmittal timeline and a submission deadline of April 14 for materials to be considered at a May 5 continuance. The continuance to 05/05/2026 (6:30 p.m., Matthew Thornton room) passed unanimously (motion by Karen; seconded by John; vote 5‑0‑0).
