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Commission backs 82‑unit Twin Pines senior apartments after questions on accessibility and pets
Summary
The commission recommended approval of an 82‑unit senior apartment project (targeting 62+ residents) at Twin Pines Road, while commissioners and residents pressed the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority on accessibility levels, pet policies and walkability to nearby amenities.
The Portsmouth Planning Commission on July 7 recommended approval of UP‑26‑07, a proposal from the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority and developer TRG Community Development to build an 82‑unit, age‑restricted senior apartment complex at 3993 Twin Pines Road.
Alisa Winston, executive director of the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and developer Andre Blakely described the project as an affordable senior housing development with amenities including a clubhouse, fitness room, on‑site programming, a dog park and bicycle parking. Winston corrected an earlier staff readout and said the intent is a 62‑and‑older community rather than 55+, and she emphasized demand: “When we opened that wait list... we received over 600 applications in just a 3 day period,” she said.
Commission discussion focused on accessibility and unit design. The developer said 10% of units (about nine) will be fully accessible, and the remainder designed to be adaptable so fixtures such as grab bars can be added as residents age; the team said two elevators and other accessibility measures will be included. Commissioner Watkins and architect‑citizen speakers urged more ground‑floor accessibility and clearer floor‑plan commitments for aging‑in‑place.
Pet policy attracted sustained attention. Commissioners asked whether the complex would be entirely pet friendly; PRHA said pets will be allowed and that fair‑housing rules and reasonable‑accommodation policies apply. Winston said the authority conducts unit cleaning and turn processes and requires pet paperwork and health records.
Several commissioners questioned whether the site is sufficiently walkable to daily needs; the developer pointed to nearby retail and medical services and said the project will provide transportation and programming for residents.
The commission moved to recommend approval with staff conditions after discussion; the motion passed by voice vote recorded in the transcript as '5 2 1'. Staff and the applicant said final site‑plan review will verify accessibility, parking and stormwater compliance before construction.
Next steps: Planning Commission’s recommendation will go to City Council for final approval; staff will continue working with the applicant on final floor plans and accessibility details.
