Pillsbury scheduled to make presentation on State School plans Tuesday night

LACONIA — Planning board members will review multiple large housing development proposals in the Weirs and hear a presentation from Pillsbury Realty Development regarding development of the State School property during their meeting on Tuesday.

Representatives of Pillsbury will make a presentation regarding their initial plans for the State School property, which they won on a state bid awarded in September, and will host a listening session to solicit comments and questions from the public.

“The conceptual will be on Dec. 3 at 6:30 here, so the Pillsbury company will be presenting to the planning board their conceptual plan. First step generally, and for a large project anyhow, with the planning board is the conceptual” presentation, City Manager Kirk Beattie said.

Beattie said Pillsbury has been receptive to input from members of the public.

“They’ve made it very clear to me and the department heads that have been working with me on this that what the public has to say is very important to them,” he said. “I think that’s what they’re looking for.”

Members will also hear a conceptual presentation relating to a proposal for a cluster development of 12, two-family structures at 238 White Oaks Road. Peter Grenier and Anthony Dionne, co-owners of Edgewater Development Group and applying through Skyview Acres LLC, are proposing to develop a 24-unit duplex project across 12 structures, according to the application. Square footage of the units is expected to range between 2,000 and 3,000 square feet on a 10.63-acre lot.

Their vision for the property is to build a higher-end, beautiful and walkable neighborhood with consumers looking to downsize from their lakeside homes, but who want to remain in the area, in mind. The development will be partially gated — a large stone wall that runs up the side of the road will remain — and they plan to maintain a 75-foot setback between the stone wall and the beginning of the development. When all is said and done, there should be mountain and lake views and the pastoral character already present along White Oaks Road will remain, Dionne said.

They purchased the parcel in June or July, to the best of his recollection, through the help of real estate agent Susan Bradley and her network and colleagues. They originally sought to restore an old existing home there, but quickly learned it wouldn’t be possible due to its deterioration. 

They changed their plans and looked at the big picture, hoping to fill a niche that’s needed in the Lakes Region, and settled on a larger development that would appeal broadly to people looking to purchase a home in an attractive and safe neighborhood. It will be complete with gardens, cobblestone sidewalks and walking paths. This development will mimic, to some degree, another development in Edgartown, Massachusetts.

They haven’t heard feedback yet from neighbors along White Oaks Road but intend to handle the process respectfully with their privacy and lifestyles in mind. There’s not a projected price range for the homes as of this report. 

If all of the appropriate approvals are secured, Dionne said he’d like to start working on the development immediately and would expect it may take about two years to complete. 

And across town, further into the Weirs, Dionne and Grenier are seeking to develop another parcel that abuts the High Octane Saloon, and Dionne said the owners of the restaurant, popular among those who attend Laconia Motorcycle Week, are supportive of the idea.

That development, which may include up to 52 residential townhouse units, is meant to be affordable. The Watson and Hayes development is priced for entry-level homebuyers between $499,000 and $599,000, and Dionne said he could also see it having appeal for people interested in purchasing a weekender in the Lakes Region.

The parcel, which they purchased about a year ago in January, is currently a large, empty field. Dionne said he hopes it may help bring more business to the restaurant.

If everything goes according to plan, development there could start as early as the spring and would similarly take about two years to complete. Dionne said he’s met with surrounding property owners and has not received any negative feedback thus far.

Dionne said their group recently finished another development at 109 Weirs Blvd, which used to be the site of the Richaven Cottages, and that project was a resounding success that sold-out. 

The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at City Hall downtown.