Exeter Planning Board considers proposal for 120-unit development

During the November Planning Board Meeting a conference was held between the board and Asa Davis who is proposing a major subdivision of his property “designated as Assessors Plat 36, Block 2, Lot 2.” The proposed development would include 120 housing units and would cover 109 acres of land that is currently forested. Davis expressed that he is not proposing any division of land, the 120 housing units would exist on a 109-acre parcel. Davis advised that a minimum of 25% of the housing would meet affordable housing requirements, but as this was just a discussion of the plan itself, he does not have the exact number of affordable dwellings that would be included.

The plan would also include a 5MW solar project that would deliver energy to the residents. This would include a battery system that would store power to be used during peak usage periods. Scott Millar, planning board chair, advised that “solar of this scale is not allowed in residential areas.”

The housing units would be a combination of single dwellings and duplexes and there would be community wells to provide water to the families. There would also be a community septic, and the houses would be warmed by geothermal heating. A private road is also proposed that would lead to the homes. The entire property, including the wells and septic, would be owned and maintained by a non-profit organization.

The application has been introduced to the town under current regulations that may change at the beginning of January 2024.

Town planner, William DePasquale, mentioned concerns regarding the impact the construction would have on Exeter’s cultural values, saying that it is imperative that the construction does not “harm the rural character of Exeter” or cause “issue with historic sites.” The planner questioned the number of families that would be expected to live within the development and how many of them would have

school aged children. He advised that the planning board consider the financial impact the creation could have on the public school and taxpayers who pay a large percentage of the school budget because of a lack of businesses in the rural town.

David addressed the concerns of protecting the rural environment of Exeter, by pointing out that there would be a “significant natural buffer” as the structures would be “100s of feet from [scenic] route 102.” The concept plan is for the subdivision to not be seen from route 102.

There are also concerns regarding the amount of property that would need to be clear cut to make it possible to put in the 120 housing units, solar field, and geothermal heating. Asa Davis plans to use a “balance of cut and fills” and to use the natural elevation of the property to their advantage instead of working against it. The engineer that will be working with Davis, described the area as “a gently rolling property” that does have a decrease in elevation by Dutemple Brook, which runs through

the property.

Planning Board Member Gina Thurn expressed that there is a “major shortage of senior housing” and asked Davis if “that is something [he] would consider for this project? Could some of it be ear marked for seniors” as this would make the project tie in with the comprehensive plan?

Davis, who has raised his family in Exeter, expressed his own concern, stating that “our town gets old.” Young families are not able to afford to live in town and are often pushed out by housing costs. His white-collar children were forced to move from their hometown because of the lack of “starter homes” in Exeter for young families. He does not have “high interest in age restrictive housing…if its part of the project [he] expect[s] it to be a very small percentage.”

Scott Millar expressed that from his “perspective it would be very challenging to have this [plan] go forward.”

There were no votes at this meeting as it was intended for the planning board and the applicant to discuss ideas about the concept.