The Proposal

A massive development with buildings over 8 times the size of our town hall (and more parking than all of downtown Exeter) would cause:

  • Increased traffic endangering the safety of Newfields Road
  • Filling of wetlands & chemical runoff from parking will destroy fields, marsh and river habitats
  • Industrial-strength lighting will obscure the night sky
  • Destruction of the wildlife corridor in the area
  • Destruction of open space that is historically, ecologically & aesthetically valuable to Exeter
  • Violation of the 300-foot Shoreline Protection Setback
  • A dangerous precedent that would lead to other mega-development in low density R1 residential zones.

Our Mission is to protect and preserve the open spaces of Exeter's historic gateway, the Fort Rock Farm, and the Squamscott River.

Developer's Request

The developer is requesting, in its own words, the following Special Exceptions, Variance, and Appeal:

Special Exceptions

  • "a special exception per Article 4, Section 4.2 Schedule I: Permitted Uses and Section 5.2 to permit a church structure and accessory buildings to be constructed in the R-1, Single Family Residential zoning district;"
  • "a special exception per article 5, Sections 5.2 and 5.4.2.B to allow the spire of the aforementioned church structure not to exceed 93 feet in height"

Variance

  • "a variance from Article 4, Section 4.3 Schedule II-Density and Dimensional Regulations to permit the proposed chute structure to exceed the maximum 35' height requirement in the R-1, Single Family Residential zoning district."

An Appeal of the 300-foot Exeter Shoreland Protection District building setback

  • "an Appeal from an Administrative Decision made by the Code Enforcement Officer in not recognizing the availability of a conditional use permit from the Planning Board under Section 9.3.4C and G.2 within the 300-foot Exeter Shoreland Protection District building setback for the proposed construction of a church structure and accessory buildings..."

Our Take on this Proposal

82% of Exeter voters chose that 300' Shoreland Protection setback
Land within 300-foot of the River is protected by the 300-foot Shoreland setback, which became law eight years ago through a referendum by a vote of 1,314 to 287. In other words, 82% of Exeter voters chose the buffer. The current development plan has dozens of parking spaces within this protected area. Their earlier plan proposed placing the entire most-massive building and large parts of 2 others in this exclusion zone. The developer lost a decision on this and plans to appeal.

Environmental Impact
The proposed large scale development would reduce or eliminate many current environmental benefits, including:

  • Loss of open space
  • Loss of diverse wildlife habitat for birds, mammals, fish, insects
  • Decimation of important wildlife corridor
  • Elimination of the priority of adding Fort Rock Farm as a contiguous block to current conservation land (stated in the Exeter Master Plan under Natural Resources)
  • Diminishment of high resource value - wetland, deciduous forest, field, marsh & river
  • Diminishment of high recreational value - hiking, bird watching, fishing, photography