The Peterborough Planning Board granted another extension to begin work on the Bridge Street Recovery project— a two-story, 64-bed rehabilitation facility located at 24, 25, and 30 Bridge Street.
Jeff Kevan from TF Moran, the representative for the applicant, noted the time extension his client requested was for one year and all the conditions of approval of the original application had been met.
“Nothing has changed on the plan or the building architecture,” Kevan told the Planning Board at an Oct. 12 meeting, adding the construction is going forward and that the owner is trying to straighten out funding and other matters while dealing with the repercussions of COVID.
Kevan presented the Planning Board a graphic of the location and pointed out the location of the parcel, the driveway, and the existence of two empty houses on the parcel and described rehabilitation facility as a place “where [people] check in and stay a specific amount of time and check out.”
Planning Board Member Carl Staley, noted a suggestion from the Town Planner Danica Melone in her Staff Memo that while all conditions of the plan have been met, the Board may wish to consider demolition of the vacant buildings on the site within the extension period (the following 12 months) as a condition of approval.
“We ought to think about that for safety reasons,” he said, noting the reported status of the buildings was that they were in poor condition and not secured.
Kevan replied that he could speak to the owner about doing something about securing the buildings. Planning Board member Sarah Steinberg Heller asked for clarification of “secure”versus “demolition,” adding that she would like to see a commitment to demolition.
Kevan spoke briefly about the significant financial investment of demolition and abatements and noted securing the buildings would be what it took to lock doors and windows to minimize anyone getting in.
Responding to a question during the public hearing portion of the meeting whether there were limits on the frequency of extensions, it was noted that there are none and that extensions have become more frequent with COVID, financing, supply chain, and inflation issues.
In deliberations the Planning Board discussed the need for rehabilitation facilities, the financial burden of demolition and all the associated costs, as well as the need for public safety and securing of the structures on the parcel. It was also noted the applicant is paying property taxes on the dwellings.
The Planning Board approved a time extension to begin work for the Bridge Street Recovery project (last extended October 13, 2021 by the Planning Board) with the following conditions: The applicant will secure all structures on the parcel and should the applicant come back in 12 months for another extension the Planning Board will require the demolition of all structures on the parcel in the interest of public safety and welfare as a condition of approval.