[mcdude]

Recession? What recession?

Hundreds of Condo Units on Planning Agenda

Laconia:

Monday, November 30, 2009
Following a slowdown in new projects, the Laconia Planning Board next week and at future meetings will consider the construction of almost 400 residential condominiums proposed for the Brickyard Mountain area and on Paugus Bay.

When the board meets Tuesday it will consider two design reviews for Meredith Bay Mid Rise Condos and Meredith Bay Look Off Rock, both of which are located on Scenic Road, below the 129-lot Meredith Bay residential community.

Akwa Waterfront LLC is proposing that Meredith Bay Mid Rise Condos on the west side of Scenic Road would have three five-story condominium buildings with a lower level garage, each with 24 units while Meredith Bay Look Off Rock on the east side of the road facing Lake Winnipesaukee, would have 19 townhouse-style condominiums.

Earlier this year, the developer was granted a variance by the Laconia Zoning Board of Adjustment to build three buildings to a height of 60 feet. The permitted height in the Shorefront Residential Zone is 35 feet.

Agents for the developer said the plan was to build smaller, taller buildings which have less of an environmental impact on the parcel which is situated below the Meredith Bay community which sits on more than 400 acres on what once had been the Brickyard Mountain resort and ski area. Meredith Bay includes the Akwa Marina Yacht and Beach Club on Centenary Avenue.

As early as February, the planning board may also see a design review — during which the board and public can comment on a developer's plans — from Brady-Sullivan Properties for its Langley Cove project.

According to Planning Department staff, Brady-Sullivan is proposing to build a 291-unit condominium on Weirs Boulevard, a decrease of 50 units from its most recent plan

Back in October 2008, after four years of back and forth, the Planning Board killed the current original subdivision plan but also gave the Manchester-based developer a straw vote of support for a new, smaller version of the Langley Cove Condominium.

Brady-Sullivan's then plan was for 293 total units comprising nine single-family units (eight of which are in a cluster development); 130 multifamily attached dwellings; two 81-unit apartment buildings and a clubhouse.

Last October, Tim Sheldon, BSP's director of design, said the new plan is "still a big project," but that it had an increase in green space; eliminated the need to install a high-pressure water line down Weirs Boulevard; and improved the view of the condominium from the road and Paugus Bay.

Under the city's zoning regulations, Brady-Sullivan was permitted to build up to 407 housing units at Langley Cove but City Planner Shanna Saunders has said the planning board has override authority over development of particularly challenging topography, like the steep slopes and ledge at Langley Cove.