Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Farmington submits Route 11 corridor for state Economic Revitalization Zone; board backs wetlands review and notes solar project inspections
Summary
The town applied to designate a Route 11 corridor as an Economic Revitalization Zone to attract growth; the Planning Board supported a wetlands and shoreline overlay review steering committee if a grant is awarded and received solar project SWPPP inspection reports showing only minor items.
The Farmington Planning Board heard three related updates on local economic and environmental matters on June 17: a state Economic Revitalization Zone (ERZ) application for the Route 11 corridor, a wetlands and shoreline review grant application, and recent stormwater inspection reports for the solar project.
Planning Director Kyle Pimental said the town had submitted a proposal to the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development to designate a cluster of parcels on Route 11 (from the Rochester town line to approximately Jackson Drive) as an ERZ. The proposed zone would cover commercial and industrial parcels, including town‑owned wells and previously excavated pit properties; residential properties and cemeteries were excluded. If approved by the state, businesses in the area would be eligible for state tax incentives to support growth and hiring.
Charlie King confirmed the general boundaries and said the designation includes Energy Resources and the former roll company, running roughly from Well 6 near the town line up to Jackson Drive.
On wetlands and shoreline protection, Pelkey said he had signed a letter of support for a grant application that, if funded, would create a steering committee to conduct a year‑long overlay review in 2027; the board agreed to provide two members and Pelkey volunteered to serve. Pimental said funding was budgeted to engage Stephanie Quatro, a certified wetland scientist from Tighe & Bond, under the town's existing contract at no additional procurement cost if the grant is awarded.
Pimental also reported that the solar project's SWPPP inspection reports (dated May 26, June 1, June 8 and June 15) identified no major compliance issues; inspectors noted minor perimeter repair and debris cleanup items and no drainage problems. The town engineer will perform a follow-up site visit.
