From: Michael Behrendt Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2017 9:56 AM Subject: Young Drive - email from Tim Ashwell To the Planning Board, Please see the emails below. Michael Behrendt Durham Town Planner Town of Durham 8 Newmarket Road Durham, NH 03824 (603) 868-8064 www.ci.durham.nh.us From: Michael Behrendt Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2017 9:54 AM To: Tim Ashwell Subject: Young Drive - balloons Hello Tim, I will forward your email including your additional note below. You do make a good point. In 10 or 20 years there can be a different situation and people change, and it would be challenging to face a project that is struggling under the original approval. But I do believe that Durham is extremely sensitive to these issues and the community, as a whole, does have a long and strong institutional memory. Plus, if the project is approved we would include prominent language that it is approved for senior housing only. The developer would be building for this particular market at their own risk and I believe the community would be highly resistant to changing the project later. Michael Behrendt Durham Town Planner Town of Durham 8 Newmarket Road Durham, NH 03824 (603) 868-8064 www.ci.durham.nh.us From: Tim Ashwell [] Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2017 6:39 PM To: Michael Behrendt Subject: Re: Young Drive - balloons Michael, Please do send to the board! The governance question always concerns me, since developers can (as I understand it) refile if the original concept fails. In many communities, boards feel pressured to agree if the threatened alternative is bankruptcy or abandonment. Planners deal with land use, etc. If I say I want to undertake a project, you may think it's a dumb idea, but if I say, no, no, it'll work and it fits the by-law... Joan and I won't make it to the meeting tonight, unfortunately. Thanks! Tim From: "Michael Behrendt" To: "Tim Ashwell" Cc: "Scott Snyder" , "Jennifer Pribble" , "Roni Pekins" , "Jody Ransom" , "JESSIE MCKONE" , "b flynn & c starr" , "Hollie Dutton" , "E Harrison-Buck" , "David Buck" , "Kevin O'Connell" Sent: Tuesday, February 7, 2017 4:04:37 PM Subject: Young Drive - balloons Hello Tim, Please let me know if you would like for me to forward your email to the Planning Board. Regarding the potential impacts of the buildings, that is an issue that the Planning Board – and Zoning Board of Adjustment if a variance is requested – is doing/will do its best to assess and manage. If the project is ultimately approved, then the Planning Board will include all appropriate conditions to ensure that impacts are minimized. Please keep in mind that certain things can be reasonably controlled and others cannot. For example, we can require and readily enforce having all exterior building and ground mounted lights be shielded and dark sky compliant. Regarding lights from individual units, though, of course, the Town cannot impose any requirements on people having blinds or when they turn their lights on. The Planning Board and staff would review the final proposal very carefully so that the limits of construction – and any impacts on the treed buffers, if any impacts are acceptable - are clear and precise. The applicant would then need to stake those out on site. This is also monitored by the Town during construction. This project would be approved as senior/55+ housing. There would be a clear, prominent note on any approval that it may not ever be converted to regular housing. Plus, multi-unit residential is not allowed in this zoning district. Zoning can be amended and project conditions can theoretically be changed in the future but, again, it would be extremely unlikely that the Town would ever allow for regular multi-unit/student housing at this site. That would be a huge retreat from the Town’s commitment to the neighboring residents. I cannot imagine that happening. Regarding the road, why would the Planning Board ever approve a regular road connection? As you state, there would be no reason to do so and there is very strong opposition. It would make no sense to allow for a connection. The main road into Young Drive would serve the residents just fine. Access in the event of an emergency situation is another matter. Plus, we should discuss whether a sidewalk/footpath connection is appropriate. Thank you for raising these questions and concerns. Michael Behrendt Durham Town Planner Town of Durham 8 Newmarket Road Durham, NH 03824 (603) 868-8064 www.ci.durham.nh.us From: Tim Ashwell [mailto:twashwell@comcast.net] Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2017 10:57 AM To: Michael Behrendt Cc: Scott Snyder; Pribble, Jennifer; Roni Pekins; Jody Ransom; JESSIE MCKONE; b flynn & c starr; Hollie Dutton; E Harrison-Buck; David Buck; Kevin O'Connell Subject: Re: Young Drive - balloons Michael, Thanks for your thoughtful comments. The revised plans include some design and environmental improvements. The decision to include a community building is, I think, wise and will add to the marketability of the project to a 55+ market. Increased sensitivity of wetland and related environmental concerns is also a positive. Many of us in the neighborhood are concerned about the "pig in a poke" nature of the proposal. We are told this will be a 55+ community that will attract "active elders," the marketing term these days, who will add to the vitality - and tax coffers - of Durham. Clearly, this is preferred to the previous incarnation of Young Drive. As things stand, all we have to go on are the drawings and artist's renderings of the project. Many of us are concerned with "what if's" that could occur in coming years. What if the construction process disrupts buffer zones and the buildings, once completed, loom over us? What if light and noise pollution from the project is worse than anticipated? What if the market softens and developers decide student housing is the true path to financial security? (Need I note that one of the larger property management firms in town calls itself Golden Goose Properties?) The Planning Board must make sure any permits for the Young Drive project insure that any new building on Young Drive will remain senior housing. The town must sign off on any governing documents if the project is developed or becomes a condominium, cooperative or neighborhood association to make sure the 55+ model is maintained. Finally, while your comments regarding a road connection between Young and Bayview are reassuring, what if the Planning Board decides to approve a road in any case? I realize that is "extremely unlikely," to use your phrase, but allow me to once again state that a road link is potentially dangerous and disruptive, would harm property values and tax revenues on Bayview Road and would have little if any public safety benefit. Tim Ashwell 15 Bayview Rd.