Dividing their attention between four stations, residents puttered around the Derry Municipal Center Wednesday, April 30, placing stickers on pictures most akin to what they want to see in Derry’s future.
Residents were asked to choose their favorite renderings and top priorities for Derry’s commercial and industrial, mixed-use and residential zones within the Gateway District and transportation in and around the district.
The meeting was the last of four visioning sessions for residents to provide feedback and suggestions to town planners as they move forward with reimagining the area as the Exit 4A project begins. The three prior sessions explored the areas where the exit will meet Folsom Road, the area around Madden Road and Ash Street and the area north of Folsom Road.
“This has been a multi-month project and tonight is a culmination of that,” said Planning Director Elizabeth Robidoux. “We will use all of this information to help formulate legislation moving forward in the zoning ordinance.”
As part of the 2020 Master Plan, planners were asked to look at the Gateway District for areas of redevelopment, commercial development and growth. The project was brought to residents, who didn’t shy away from voicing what they want to see, and what they don’t want to see, as construction picks up.
“We learned there was an interest in expanding and diversifying commercial and industrial uses like hotels, supermarkets, small local businesses, entertainment options and trade schools,” Robidoux said. “In mixed-use areas, we received generally positive feedback around sustainability, affordable housing, walkability, atmosphere and preserving green space wherever we can.”
However, residents expressed concern over high-density development and emphasized the desire to protect existing residential neighborhoods through architectural design and buffering to minimize noise and light pollution and cut through traffic.
Conversation flourished between residents, town planners and town officials as they worked their way through the stations over a 45-minute period.
In the commercial and industrial areas within the district, a lack of stickers indicated residents didn’t want to see used auto sales, storage facilities, big box strip malls or local neighborhood stores. There was a convergence around office, retail and privately owned entities with public gathering spaces, food and drink establishments and boutique-style hotels.
Single and multi-family homes that could be adapted into small businesses or boutique shops were of interest to residents in the mixed-use area while some wanted to see the town stay away from apartment complexes.
To retain and reinforce the character of residential neighborhoods, residents said safety and traffic calming measures were the top priority, followed by natural landscaping and home-based businesses in available spaces.
When it comes to transportation in and around the Gateway District, lighting intersections and visible crosswalks were at the forefront of discussions. Residents expressed concern for traffic cutting through side streets and asked planners to consider speed bumps in neighborhoods or restrictions to some neighborhoods altogether.
Access to bike racks was suggested given the proximity to the rail trail in addition to attractions along the rail trail, such as restaurants, a dog park and small shops.
Wrapping up the discussion, Robidoux thanked residents for their time and encouraged them to keep an eye on upcoming Planning Board agendas where planners will fine tune suggestions with board members to draft ordinances before public workshops begin.
The Exit 4A project dates back to 1984 when town officials and residents realized that Derry was one of the only communities along Interstate 93 that was expanding, but didn’t have an exit into that part of town.
In 2015, the Derry Town Council voted to enter into a three-party agreement with Londonderry and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to move forward with the new on- and off-ramps. Both towns committed to spending $5 million on the project.
The construction is designed to promote new business development and encourage people to stop in Derry rather than use it as a throughway to other towns. It will also serve as a way to relieve congestion in the downtown area.
Construction along Folsom Road to Crystal Avenue begins this year with Folsom Road to the Tsiennto Road intersection construction slated for 2026 through 2028. The final stage of construction from Tsiennto Road out to Route 102 will begin in 2028.
Anyone with questions or ideas is asked to contact Robidoux at 603-432-6110 or by emailing derryplanning@derrynh.org
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