February 2, 2005

Town of Hillsborough
Planning Board
Hillsborough, NH  03244

Dear Mr. Chairman and Planning Board Members:

The decision you are required to make in regard to the Wal-Mart application is a complex and serious one.  It has the potential to change the integrity of Hillsborough forever.  Therefore, the application of Wal-Mart’s proposal to build a 155,000 square foot building on 14.4 acres of land with a remote parking area across from this building will take a high level of scrutiny; as well as careful and thoughtful study on your part.

Each of the proposed impact studies should also evaluate two Hillsborough-specific impact issues:  Wal-Mart's proposed “remote parking lot” and the residential neighborhood on Old Drift Way.

We request that you immediately reconsider your vote on Title III, Section 36:55 and 36:56 Developments of Regional Impact so that surrounding towns and both Central and Southwest NH Regional Planning can be included on your list of abutters.  This would enable the Hillsborough Planning Board to receive additional input on Wal-Mart’s proposed development and the potential impact on our neighbors; and at the same time, protect Hillsborough from possible future litigation.

In order for you to have all of the information required in this decision, we the undersigned request the following studies be done at the expense of the applicant and reviewed by a neutral party:

1.                  Traffic Impact

2.                  Impact to Municipal Utilities/Services

3.                  Environmental Impact

4.                  Community Impacts

5.                  Fiscal Impact

1.      Traffic Impact should include

1. Existing traffic conditions to include but not limited to average daily and peak hour volumes, sight distances, street capacity, level of service, physical characteristics of the streets, number and location of driveways and intersections, average and peak speeds, accident data, pedestrian movement, and traffic controls for streets and intersections which will experience a 10% increase in peak hour traffic as a result of the project or which will experience a reduction in the level of service as a result of the project.

2. Projected traffic conditions to include average daily and peak hour traffic projections and directional distribution of site generated traffic, sight distances at proposed driveway intersections with street, on-site traffic circulation and parking layout, pedestrian movement and background traffic conditions for the design year including any planned roadway/traffic improvements and other proposed projects in the vicinity of the site.

3. Projected traffic impact to evaluate how the proposed project will affect traffic conditions on streets and intersections adjacent to and those likely to be affected by the proposed project including level of service, traffic flow, turning movements, sight distances, traffic controls, and pedestrian movement.

2.      Impact to Municipal Utilities/Services should include the following:

a.       Water Supply:  describe the proposed water supply system including average daily and peak water demand; location, sizing and accessibility to municipal water mains; and water pressure and flows available at the site.  Evaluate the capacity of the Hillsborough’s water supply and distribution system to adequately service the projected water and fire flow needs of the project; the need for pumping stations, standpipes, or improvement to the water system required to service the project.  Estimate the cost and discuss the responsibility for construction of improvements and on-going maintenance.

b.   Sewage Disposal:  describe the proposed sewage disposal system including average daily and peak wastewater discharges to municipal sewer system; composition and concentration of wastewater; location, sizing, and pumping stations, forced mains or other system improvements required to adequately service the project.  Evaluate the capacity of the sewage treatment plant and the sewerage system to accommodate the wastewater flows.  Evaluate the need for pre-treatment of wastewater to achieve compliance with Hillsborough’s Sewer Regulations.  Estimate the cost and discuss the responsibility for construction of the system improvements and on-going maintenance.

c.   Storm Drains:  Describe the proposed surface drainage system including pre and post runoff calculations;  the location, sizing, accessibility, and proposed discharges to the municipal storm drains.  Evaluate the capacity of the existing storm drains to accommodate projected storm water runoff.  Estimate the cost and discuss the responsibility for construction of storm drain improvements and on-going maintenance.

d.   Solid Waste Disposal:   Describe the quantity and composition of projected solid wastes to be generated by the project including average weekly volume in cubic yards of refuse generated; recycling potential; method of on-site storage and collection.  Evaluate the impact to the municipal landfill, recycling facility, and transfer station including available landfill capacity and costs of collection and disposal.

e.   Emergency Services:  Describe the anticipated fire and police protection needs including time and demand on municipal personnel; provision for alarms or warning devices; on-site fire fighting and security capabilities; need for increased municipal personnel or equipment.  Estimate the cost and discuss the responsibility for providing emergency protection to the project.

f.        Schools:  Describe the projected impact to the public school system including kindergarten, primary, and secondary levels.  Identify the schools to be affected; projected number of students by housing type (i.e. single-family, apartments, townhouses) and number of bedrooms (i.e. one-bedroom, two-bedroom, etc.); the ability of the schools to absorb the additional enrollment including impact on classroom size, school bus routing changes, and the annual cost per student to the school system.  Projected number of students shall be based on relevant data for the region.

3.      Environmental Impact to include the following:

1. Describe the existing physical and ecological characteristics of the site and in relation to surrounding land including topography, slope, soils, wetlands, surface water, vernal pools, flood plains, depth to groundwater, drainage patterns, type and coverage of vegetation, wildlife and wildlife habitat, identification of any rare or endangered plant or animal species relationships to public or private water supply wells and recharge areas or public water supply reservoirs.

2. Identify and evaluate the potential impacts of the project on air quality, surface water, wetlands, groundwater, plant and wildlife species, temperature, wind, and noise levels on-site and off-site which will be affected by this project.

3. Specifically evaluate the impact of storm water, runoff, flooding, erosion, sedimentation, grading changes, increased impervious surface, discharges to groundwater, pumping of groundwater, wetlands disruption, and changes to vegetative cover.  Provide the location and results of any test pits, soil boring, and percolation tests performed on the site.

4. Describe the types, quantities, use and storage methods for hazardous materials and wastes to be used or generated by the project.  What measures will be taken to prevent a release into the environment?

5. Describe proposed mitigation measures for impacts identified above.

4.      Community Impacts

a.       Describe the surrounding neighborhood and any scenic, unique geological, historical, or archeological features and recreations areas on the site or in the vicinity of the site, which could be affected by the project.

2. Describe the layout of the proposed project in detail (site plans may be used) including scale, placement, and design of buildings and structure; lighting; parking areas; open space; relationship to scenic views from the site; views of the project from distant vantage points and from adjacent properties and public ways.

3. Evaluate the proposed architectural design of the proposed project in relationship to surrounding land uses and prevailing architectural style including major design elements such as scale, materials, color, setbacks, roof lines; and estimate the life expectancy of the building proposed.

4. Identify the impacts to historic properties, districts, or areas, and any archaeological sites on the property or in the vicinity of the project.

5. Describe any recreational facilities proposed for the site and provision of public recreational or open spaces.  Estimate the off-site recreational demands of the proposed project and its impact to municipal recreational facilities and programs. 

6. Estimate the number and types of jobs to be created by the project, estimate the amount of local labor to be used, estimate the salary range for those jobs, and evaluate the impact of the project on existing employers in the community.

7. Estimate the amount, type, and location of spin-off development resulting from construction of the project and its likely impact on the community including changing land use patterns, development pressure on surrounding neighborhoods, impact to the downtown business district, impact to important natural resources, traffic, and Hillsborough’s services.

h.       Identify and evaluate the potential impacts to neighboring communities resulting from the project.

1.      Fiscal Impact

1. Evaluate the projected costs and benefits to the community resulting from the project including:
   ·Projected costs arising from increased demand for and required improvements to public services and infrastructure
   ·Value of improvements to public services and infrastructure to be provided by the project.
   ·Projected tax revenues to be generated by the project
   ·Projected impact of the project on surrounding land values and any potential loss or increase in tax revenues to Hillsborough.

    b.   Evaluate the market and financial feasibility of the project.  Include any market studies prepared for the project and any plans for phased construction.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this very important matter to the Town of Hillsborough.

Sincerely,

 Hillsborough Citizens for Positive Growth