Council hears second reading for rezoning request at 10510 Old Nashua Highway; staff and commission recommend approval

The council considered a second-reading rezoning request to change two acres at 10510 Old Nashua Highway (tax map 49, parcel 2.1) from R-1 to C-2. Kevin (speaker 13) told council the planning commission reviewed the request and recommended approval; staff likewise recommended approval and said "Nothing's changed since then," noting an existing house and accessory structure on the parcel and that sewer and water service are available (water via a consolidated utility district).

Kevin described development expectations for the corridor, said a Type C buffer would be required where the property abuts residentially zoned lots if the property develops beyond the existing residential use, and noted buffers must be maintained by the property owner. Council members queried buffer maintenance and whether irrigation or stricter requirements would be appropriate; Kevin said buffers are required to be maintained and that staff enforces replanting when necessary. The rezoning remained at second reading with staff recommendation for approval; no vote was recorded during the workshop.