EXETER — A proposed project to construct a mixed-use development with three apartment buildings and a commercial space off Portsmouth Avenue is facing opposition.
One resident called the project a “monstrosity” that would alter the neighborhood. Another questioned if Exeter wants its town to become “another Portsmouth.”
Green & Company of North Hampton went before the Planning Board on Thursday, July 11, for a design review for a mixed-use development planned at 76 Portsmouth Ave .
The space is currently home to Fisher Auto Parts. It is located between Thirsty Moose Taphouse and Verani Realty and across from the Exeter Commons shopping center.
The plan for the nearly 7-acre lot calls for constructing three four-story buildings with 121 two-bedroom apartment units, converting the existing Fisher Auto Parts structure into a 4,680-square-foot commercial space, and constructing a triplex (a single structure with three housing units) at the rear end of the lot on Haven Lane.
Two apartment buildings will be built in undeveloped woodlands behind Fisher Auto Parts. The third apartment building would be built in front, turning Fisher Auto Parts into an L-shaped building with commercial space in the front.
Paige Libbey of the engineering firm Jones & Beach presented the plans for the project, where at least 10% of the 121 housing units will be affordable housing.
Access to the development would be through Portsmouth Avenue on the front and Haven Lane on the rear. There will be basement-level parking underneath the apartment buildings, as well as outside.
Jenna Green of Green & Company said Thursday the development could help with the town’s “great need” for more housing.
“The location is well suited for this (project), with its close proximity to downtown, major routes, and all the commercial options that exist on Portsmouth Ave.,” said Green.
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Neighbors air concerns over ‘monstrosity’ development
Haven Lane resident Ryan O’Brien said he has no issue with the apartment building proposed at Fisher Auto Parts, as the property is already developed.
"The real issue is in the undeveloped property," he said.
He brought up concerns regarding drainage due to the “poorly-drained soils” on the property and the impact such a project would have on the neighborhood.
Other concerns included the impact on town services and traffic by adding 121 more housing units into an already busy area.
Kathrine Boudreau of Bonnie Drive said she’s “losing sleep” and “getting depressed” over the project.
“I love the town of Exeter, not the city of Exeter, which it’s going to become if we start adding buildings that are going to ruin the beauty,” she said. “When I wake up in the morning, I look at the sunrise. I don’t want to look at the high-rise.”
Boudreau said she spent her retirement savings to move into the area to be closer to her son. She said the proposed project would wipe out the ecosystem residing in the woodlands, one of the features she enjoys about living in Exeter.
“I’m going to lose it all now if you bring this project in,” she added.
Taylor Adams, also a Bonnie Drive resident, said if approved, the project will take down the trees currently acting as a natural buffer between the neighborhood and busy Portsmouth Avenue.
Haven Lane resident Martha Franceschi said she was against adding more density, not just in the area, but in Exeter.
“I visit the hospital quite a few times… when you go there, the parking lot is full, at all times,” she said. “What will it mean to bring 750 new families into Exeter… are we building another hospital out of our taxes? What about the school?
“This proposal is a monstrosity, it’s huge,” she added. “Do we want another Portsmouth? We don’t have anywhere to park? Anywhere to go because it’s full of tourists?”
Haven Lane resident Jen Thomas said the town’s beauty is “deeply entrenched” with surrounding nature.
“The proposed development… will strip our community of exactly that,” she said. “And in its place will be more concrete surrounding over-priced apartment buildings.
“More and more foolish high-rise apartment buildings do not help those in need,” she added. “…This catchphrase of affordable housing is not affordable housing… the developers will get rich, and we’re gonna pay the fallout.”
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What is the next step for proposed project at 76 Portsmouth Ave.?
Green & Company said they were seeking feedback before filing a formal application. The developers also went before the town’s Conservation Commission on Tuesday, June 9, to get feedback on the wetland buffer impacts. There are wetlands on the west and east sides of the property, and two ditches that run across the property, which have been determined to be man-made wetlands constructed for drainage purposes.
Green & Company's proposal for 76 Portsmouth Ave. in Exeter was made possible following town voters’ overwhelming approval to expand the mixed-use neighborhood development zone. While commercial businesses were allowed in the area, housing previously was not.
Planning Board members expressed concern with the “intense” proposal.
“This is a big proposal in a tough spot,” said Planning Board member Aaron Brown.
"The idea of a mixed-use development is to create a green, walkable community that has your retail and your housing altogether," Planning Board member Jennifer Martel said. “I think a lot of the concerns coming up today is this plan may not reflect the intention of that.”
Jenna Green of Green & Company stressed Thursday they are still in the early stages of formalizing plans for the development. She said they plan to continue to modify design plans based on the feedback and discussions brought up at the meetings.
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This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exeter 120-plus apartment project faces opposition: Neighbors say we're not Portsmouth
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