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Residents praise walkability, ask about rail safety and developer plans at station presentation
Summary
Local residents and committee members praised walkability and wayfinding ideas, asked whether housing by the tracks is appropriate given rail activity, and heard the developer may provide property for a welcome center; the train-station committee chair thanked presenters and asked about compatibility with an under-agreement factory redevelopment.
Several local speakers responded to the charrette presentation, praising walkability improvements and asking practical questions about housing next to active rail lines and coordination with imminent development projects. Jonathan Merriman, chairman of the Exeter Train Station Committee, thanked the team and asked how the concepts should be integrated with the handkerchief factory property that is reportedly under agreement; presenters said the developer appeared open to providing some property for station amenities.
Local business owner Doug Elbridge said walkability and consistent wayfinding would benefit downtown and district cohesion. A public question raised safety concerns about placing housing near busy railroad tracks; presenters noted market trends that support housing near transit but acknowledged community concerns about noise and activity levels.
