A multi-use development project already underway on Rockingham Road in Derry has been approved to make a change to the original plan OK’d two years ago.
The Planning Board heard updates on the Residences of Skye project at 74 Rockingham Road to move forward with its plan to build a multi-use space with 114 townhouse/condo housing units along with a 10,800-square-foot office building, and 3,016-square-foot community center.
The board approved an amended site plan at its Nov. 6 meeting, saying yes to a change for one of the development’s buildings to be relocated back further on the 28-acre property.
The housing units will offer both one- and two-bedroom spaces.
The name of the project honors the area’s history.
When the Nutfield settlers came here to settle, the original 16 families had ties to Scotland’s Isle of Skye. The development’s private road is named Scottish Way.
The development is located in the town’s West Running Brook zoning district, encouraging a mix of land uses including residential, small-scale retail and commercial while keeping recreation and conservation space on the list when projects come forward.
The plan was originally given approval back in August of 2022 and construction has already begun at the site.
Combining the housing, office and commercial spaces, representatives of the plan told officials it fits perfectly with the West Running Brook zoning mission, and changing the location of one of the buildings — the commercial/office space — is a good way to move forward after consulting with town departments and listening to concerns.
Tim Peloquin of Promised Land Survey said at the Nov. 6 meeting that developers agreed to make the change.
“It’s a betterment to move it back,” Peloquin said, adding the building will also be built slightly smaller in width. “And it looks better pushed back.”
As part of the project, the planned community center is also earmarked to be available for community rental opportunities.
“It’s going to be a fantastic project,” Peloquin said “it’s five-star, so to speak.”
Since the project was already approved two years ago, the newest decision was strictly to amend the original site plan to relocate one of the project’s buildings.
This project joins others in the West Running Brook district including the Westbrook Inn and Hyla Brook Estate. Another mixed-use project planned for property off Humphrey Road is West Running Brook Farm, planned to include housing, retail, office, manufacturing and green space.
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