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NCH gets site plan approval from Development Review Board |
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Friday, 16 May 2008 |
By CHRISTOPHER ROY
Express Staff Writer
After a long deliberative discussion behind closed doors Wednesday, the Development Review Board (DRB) gave North Country Hospital site approval with conditions to build a 22,000 square-foot building on its property for physicians’ offices.
During the open session of the meeting, Todd Menees of Engineering
Ventures in Lebanon, N.H. told the board that he believes engineers
have done everything possible to address concerns to the hospital’s
neighbors.
Board chairman Clark Curtis questioned the height of the proposed
project, noting that the land elevation is seven feet higher than the
nearby Pine Bluff Estates.
Menees said the land is relatively flat, and they are trying to meet
the state stormwater management runoff regulations. He added that
engineers wanted the drainage to go around the sides of the parking lot
so there will be no increased water on the adjoining lands.
Since they are only using 9,000 square feet of 22,000, alternate DRB
member Gerry Coulombe suggested the hospital consider a parking
garage. He said the hospital is being shortsighted by building
one-story buildings.
When it came time for public comments, neighbor Mark Stewart described
it as it a great project, but expressed concerns about noise,
aesthetics, dust, lighting, and security. He said he believes it would
be easier to deal with stormwater if the parking area is relocated.
“Are there any responsible alternatives,” he questioned. “I have seen none. Nobody has brought anything to the table.”
Stewart, a local architect, decided to take it upon himself to show an
alternative plan showing a two-story building that could place parking
elsewhere on the property.
There were about two dozen other plans that engineers looked at before
they came up with the master plan, said Menees. He said hospitals,
schools, and recreation facilities are placed in residential areas.
Stewart, who called the hospital a great neighbor, said a portion of
the property is not harmonious to the existing usage, and insisted
there are reasonable alternatives. He added that his son is asthmatic
and questions what he’s going to do when the parking lot gets swept.
Architect Richard Pizzi of Lavallee Brensinger of Manchester, N.H. said
they could move the parking lot, but the building is being constructed
so that it can be expanded in the future. He also insisted it will be
a two-story building.
“Half of the footprint is a floor below,” said Pizzi. “I don’t want to
hear it’s a one-story building anymore, because it isn’t. I can
guarantee the 10,000 square feet under the building will be very used.”
He said surface parking is less expensive than a parking garage and the
state is critical on how health care centers spend money. In addition,
the hospital will be placing a hedge that will serve as a buffer to the
neighbors.
But, this didn’t seem to satisfy Stewart, who expressed concerned about noise from the plow trucks at night.
Stewart was not the only neighbor who expressed concerns about the
project. Neighbor Linda Pelletier questioned if the 20-foot high
proposed parking lot lights would be on all night.
Curtis said the DRB could place a condition in the hospital’s permit that the lighting would turn off.
Dr. Thomas Moseley of Newport Pediatrics said he was concerned about
the speed of traffic going through his yard and that there is no master
parking or transportation plan.
“Most of the complaints that I’ve heard could be solved by reducing the
number of employee spots right next to them,” he said referring to
neighbors. Moseley suggested the employees could car pool or the
hospital could find a nearby parking lot.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 19 May 2008 )
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