Woodmont Commons Hearing Delayed Again

Faced with yet another continuance in the massive Woodmont Commons development, the town's attorney assured residents Wednesday that the project's developers are not to blame.

"I want to be very clear about this," town attorney Michael Ramsdell told residents gathered for Wednesday's Planning Board meeting. "A couple of people have approached me this evening and said that they think that it's actually Woodmont's fault that things have dragged on the way they have. I can't go into all the details of what's gone on, but it would be unfair to hold them responsible for the delays."

Instead, Ramsdell said any project of Woodmont's size is expected to encounter some delays as town planners and developers discuss its many components. 

"It's not terribly surprising," he said, calling the project "very comprehensive."

Pillsbury Realty Development's billion-dollar proposal would bring 1,300 homes, three hotels and 700,000 square feet of commercial space to roughly 600 acres in Londonderry.

Discussions on the project first began about two years ago and have been delayed several times since then.

And the Planning Board granted yet another continuance Wednesday, after breaking for a "non-meeting" with Ramsdell that lasted roughly 45 minutes.

"I'm pleased to report to you that I believe progress is being made next week," Ramsdell told the audience Wednesday after the board reentered public session.

He said that Pillsbury representatives will sit down with town staff and the town's third-party consultant next week to go over remaining details of the project.

"We're putting everybody in the room," he said. "... The goal is to try and hash out some of the points of discussion or even disagreement that exist at the moment."

The Planning Board will take up Woodmont Commons again on Oct. 10, barring any additional continuances.

Ramsdell apologized to residents for the often last-minute continuance requests. He said he would notify the town – and in turn, the public – by Sept. 24 if developers will seek another continuance.

"You've come here with certain expectations and those expectations haven't been met and I'm going to apologize for everybody involved in that, and also tell you that there's no one more responsible for that than I am, frankly," he said. "While working on this thing very diligently so that things are progressing, I've been much less diligent  at providing timely notice so that you can be aware of it."

Planning Board Vice Chair Mary Wing Soares noted that any continuance request would be discussed by the board before it were granted.

"It's not automatic; it's a discussion," she said.

For more information about the proposed Woodmont Commons, visit www.woodmontcommons.com.