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Board approves amended Nimco master development agreement; staff says affordable share largely preserved
Summary
The Nashua Board of Aldermen on July 14 approved R-26-047, an amended master development agreement with Lansing Melbourne Group that splits the Nimco site into two buildings, reduces total units by about 12 and keeps roughly 20% of units affordable; aldermen pressed staff on unit counts and affordable-unit distribution.
The Nashua Board of Aldermen voted July 14 to adopt R-26-047, an amended and restated master development agreement and fourth amendment to a purchase-and-sale agreement with Lansing Melbourne Group LLC for the Nimco site. The board declared the resolution duly adopted following discussion and a voice vote.
Economic development director Liz Hannum told aldermen the developer's acquisition of the adjacent Bagshaw parcel changed the site plan from a single large building to two smaller buildings bisected by a public road, a layout the city says will improve emergency access and public works service. "So we are instead of putting 254 units, we are putting 252 or 242 units," Hannum said, adding that the amendment reduces the Nimco parcel by 12 units overall and that "it'll still be 20%" affordable units, a net loss of one affordable unit on that parcel.
Several aldermen pressed staff for specifics. Alderman Lopez asked whether the grid presented to the full board was the same plan the finance committee reviewed; Hannum said the grid was prepared as a clarifying "cheat sheet" and reflected the committee materials. Lopez also raised concerns that splitting the building could limit total new housing compared with earlier expectations and questioned whether the split would change the character or accessibility of units.
Alderman Johnson and others asked whether HUD eligibility determines who fills the affordable units; Hannum said HUD rules determine eligibility by income rather than prior residence and that the city does not maintain data tracking where future tenants will move from. Hannum said the private property owner would typically manage tenant intake and any recordkeeping required by funders.
Developer counsel Andy Perlman (on behalf of Lansing Melbourne Group) earlier described the plan change as providing flexibility and a small public-street grid that benefits emergency access and public use. Hannum said the developer has agreed voluntarily to carry the 20% affordability requirement across the nearby Bagshaw property as well, potentially adding more affordable units there, though the exact count is not yet finalized.
After questions and remarks, the aldermen voted in favor and the chair declared R-26-047 adopted. No roll-call tally was given in the record; outcome was announced by the chair as "duly adopted."
