Planning board accepts overall development plan for 1085 White Oaks Road; residents press traffic and sight‑line concerns

The Laconia Planning Board voted May 5 to accept an overall development plan for 1085 White Oaks Road, a multi‑phase mixed‑use project proposed for the former Surf Coaster site. The acceptance advances the plan to the site‑plan and TRC review stages but does not permit construction to begin.

Applicant John Cronin and Justin Kernan of City Collective described a vision of multi‑style housing (up to 150 units), commercial/service space, public plazas and efforts to preserve lake views. The plan shows two primary site connections — to White Oaks Road and Endicott Street East — multiple subsurface detention/infiltration systems for stormwater, and building heights generally proposed at three stories (a maximum referenced at about 42 feet in the materials).

Residents and other speakers raised repeated concerns about traffic and safety at the Endicott/White Oaks corridor, citing past accidents and peak seasonal congestion. Commenters asked the board to require turn lanes or other intersection improvements and to ensure lighting and sight lines are adequate for emergency vehicles and school bus stops. City and applicant representatives said the acceptance requires an initial traffic analysis covering multiple intersections (Indicott/White Oaks, Indicott/Weirs Boulevard roundabout and others), coordination with NHDOT and DPW, and a detailed stormwater plan and AOT permitting where required.

Staff noted the acceptance is for the overall development plan; the applicant must return with detailed site plans and TRC‑reviewed traffic and drainage studies before receiving permission to construct. The board approved acceptance with staff findings and conditions; the vote was recorded as unanimous.