Nursing Facility Application Adjourned as Crowd Exceeds Courtroom Capacity

Turnout at Thursday night's zoning board meeting in Manchester's exceeded the courtroom's 240-occupant capacity and forced the adjournment of the variance and site plan application for a skilled nursing facility until sometime in February.

Though the plan was to seat the overflow from the courtroom in the building's basement civic center — where an audio account of the meeting would be broadcast — the board ultimately decided that set up would be unfair to anyone unable to witness firsthand the proceedings on the proposed $25 million Manchester Rehab Realty project on Route 571. 

"It's just in fairness to everyone having the opportunity to hear testimony and see exhibits and to have participation," said board attorney Christopher Reid. 

Safety was a concern, and a Manchester police officer addressed the audience as the meeting began to confirm that too many people were in the room and were blocking the entrance.

"The people want to be in the room, and once we go over the capacity, it's not safe," said board chairwoman Linda Fazio. 

The board tried to secure for its January meeting, but a financial aid night was taking place in that building at the same time as the board's meeting. 

Richard Lareau, a resident who lives near the proposed facility site, has been vocal in his opposition to the application and , when word began to spread about the facility.

"Here we are, wasting everyone's time to come out again for a very important matter," Lareau said. "The sooner they have the meetings that allow all of the public to partake in, the better it will be."

Applicant attorney Harvey York said that he understood the board's position and reason for postponement. 

"It happens. They had no building to put us in anyhow," he said.

Reid said that prior to the meeting, the board had spoken with York and Lisa John, the attorney representing a group of residents opposed to the facility, about rescheduling. 

"At this point, the applicant has made the offer to have a special meeting, which would be in February at the high school upon availability," Reid said.

The meeting would only be for the skilled nursing applicant. Regular board business and other applications will be heard at the Feb. 23 regular meeting.The high school is not available that day, Reid said. 

"That doesn't mean the meeting will be canceled, that's just to let you know that the special meeting won't be that night," he said.

The board will try to hold more than one meeting for the skilled nursing facility in February, if possible.

"We may even get through the entire application in February if the availability of the experts, the board and the facility can be accomplished," Reid said.

Proper notice will be given by the board when a date and venue for the special meeting are determined, Reid said.

A variance is required for construction since the property where the applicant wants to build the facility is zoned as residential. Since the application's introduction in June,  have spoken out against it, as they fear it may lower their quality of life and property values. The  featured testimony from traffic and landscape experts.