The Hudson Planning Board met on March 25 to continue its review of a proposed 12,000 square-foot multi-tenant commercial building on Bockes Road, a project that has drawn sustained scrutiny from both abutters and Board members.
“We got feedback from both the abutters and the Board, and we made some changes to the plan,” said Land Surveyor David Jordan, representing the applicant.
Among the revisions were additional details regarding the nearby capped asbestos disposal site, as well as adjustments to a previously requested waiver that would have allowed construction within a 100 foot buffer separating the development from neighboring homes.
“Through discussion with the Board, it was suggested that we reduce the depth of some parking spaces and potentially turn the back driveway into a one way circulation in order to move the development away from some of those residential lots,” Jordan explained. “We did that, and successfully were able to provide a 102 foot setback from our commercial development and the nearest residential lot across Bockes Road.”
However, questions remained about parking spaces on the northern end of the site, which abut an open parcel zoned for residential use. Although the applicant argued that the absence of homes meant the buffer requirement did not apply, several Board members disagreed.
“I interpret it as being open space that is open to the residents who live on that development,” said Chair Tim Malley. “It’s still a residential use in my opinion.”
Board member James Crowley agreed. “When you read town regs, it talks about from a ‘residential use,’ and an easement on that property, you talk about the use. That waiver is required.”
The applicant also relocated the complex’s trash enclosure in response to earlier concerns. But the most significant point of contention centered on traffic.
Jordan noted that the team had submitted an updated memo summarizing peak hour trip generation for weekday mornings, weekday evenings, and Saturday midday periods. The data was provided to both the Planning Board and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.
But Board members said the submission fell short.
“The project across the street already has a memo from the state saying that it does warrant a traffic light,” Malley said. “You don’t address that at all. I think that’s something that has to be solved. We have an existing proof plan; we have an existing requirement of a traffic light.”
Malley argued that the applicant’s traffic analysis did not account for “changes in the community” or incorporate findings from a more comprehensive study conducted for the nearby project. While the Bockes Road proposal has been updated for 2026, its underlying plan dates back more than 15 years.
Board member Tim Lyko acknowledged that additional information could be helpful, though he questioned whether a full study would ultimately recommend a signal.
In the end, the Board voted to require a full traffic impact study, signaling that traffic concerns must be addressed before the project can advance.
The Hudson Planning Board will meet next on Wednesday, April 22, at 7 p.m. in the Buxton Community Development Conference Room.