StoneArch Development Corporation is looking to build 16 townhouse-style residential condos spread across four buildings at 112 Front Street. (Courtesy of the Town of Exeter)
StoneArch Development Corporation’s proposal to replace a historic home on Front Street with 16 townhouse-style condos is moving forward despite opposition from neighbors, who argue the development is “out of character with the neighborhood.”
The town Planning Board voted 6 to 1 on Thursday, April 10, to approve the project with several conditions. The vote, according to Planning Board member John Grueter, was made “reluctantly,” as the project complied with the town’s zoning, subdivision regulations, and other applicable laws.
The proposal calls for the demolition of the two-century-old home and barn at 112 Front Street, previously owned by Nancy Carnegie Merrill, a prominent community leader and former curator of the Exeter Historical Society who passed away in 2012. In their place, 16 townhouse-style residential condos will be constructed spread across four buildings.
Christian Smith of Beals Associates, representing the applicant, informed the board that several modifications had been made to the plans in response to concerns raised during the February 27 and March 11 meetings. The most notable change involves reducing the total number of units from the initial 17 to 16. The building facing Front Street will now feature three units, while two additional buildings at the rear will contain four units each, with a third building housing five units.
Smith said they also reconfigured the private driveway, parking, utilities and drainage structures.
“The portion of the driveway that had been designated as standard pavement was transitioned back to porous pavement in order to address the stormwater in that vicinity,” said Smith.
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