Conservation commissioners walk proposed site of 17-unit development in Nashua

NASHUA ― Trevor Yandow with Meridian Land Services led the conservation commission through a site walk on Tuesday at 64 Taylor St. and 1 Morse Road in Ward 7, where a 17-unit proposed redevelopment is proposed under the conservation subdivision ordinance.

The existing 100-year-old industrial style brick building at 64 Taylor St. will be refurbished and turned into a multifamily dwelling with four units. Land between 1 Morse Ave and 64 Taylor St. site will be cleared for a road that will be lined on each side with 13 single family homes.

According to the applicant, the plan is to create new “starter-housing stock” to match the neighborhood at a mid-level price range.

Behind where the proposed housing will be is conservation space that is adjacent to Salmon Brook and Joyce Park Wildlife Sanctuary, separated from the proposed development by a 75-foot wetland buffer.

The proposed work is only in the buffer, not directly in the wetland, for a total temporary impact to the buffer of 1,300 square feet, including 600 square feet for grading for a stormwater filtration pond; 400 square feet for a conveyance swale and enclosed drainage system; and 300 square feet for tying post sewer into the existing sewer.

It is estimated that more than 20 trees will be removed for the development.

At the July 7 Conservation Commission meeting, commissioner Gloria McCarthy expressed concern about lots 5, 6, 7, and 8 being too close to the tree line and buffer area. Those on the board were concerned about trees falling on houses and future requests for trees to be removed.

At that meeting, Chairman Sherry Dutzy requested that after the site walk, the applicant come back to the board with a landscaping plan, requesting that the plan include the planting of at least 70% native plantings to support pollinators and wildlife. Local horticulturist Tori Hiney attended the site walk and was delegated to choose native plants to vegetate the area.

•••

These articles are being shared by partners in the Granite State News Collaborative. For more information, visit collaborativenh.org.