DERRY — As development begins for the next part of the Exit 4A project, Derry’s Planning Board wants residents to tell them what to do with the land.
The Derry Planning Board is reviewing zoning and land use for the Gateway District, an area of the city where Exit 4A meets Folsom Road. They hold information meetings in January and February to gather input from residents and property owners.
There will be three sessions, divided into different zones in the district. They will be held at the Derry Municipal Center, 14 Manning St., 3rd floor meeting room.
Session One is scheduled for January 6 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM and will cover the Crystal Avenue area;
Session two will take place on February 10, at times to be determined, and will take place around Madden Road and Ash Street;
Session three will take place on February 24, at times to be determined, and will cover the area north of Folsom Road.
The Planning Department asks interested residents to contact derryplanning@derrynh.org prior to the discussion sessions. There will also be a listen-only Zoom link for residents who wish to participate in the sessions, posted remotely on the Planning Board website at derrynh.org/planning-board.
The Planning Board will use input from these sessions to establish zoning and land use regulations for the Gateway District. The board plans to announce these changes in the spring of 2025.
The board also wants people to come to these sessions with big ideas about the future of this highly valuable area that will be made more accessible by the new highway exit.
Some questions they hope residents will answer include: what do you like about the Gateway District as it currently stands; are there any changes or improvements you would like to see; and what specific types of businesses and facilities would you like to see in the future.
The Exit 4A project dates back to December 2015, when Derry City Council voted to enter into a tripartite agreement with Londonderry and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to move forward with the new ramps. Both cities are committed to spending $5 million on the project.
Exit 4A is intended to reduce traffic congestion, improve safety and promote economic development and vitality in the area.
