Planning Board — April 21, 2026
The meeting featured spirited public testimony and significant board debate regarding traffic safety and developer legitimacy on two major applications.
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Safety concerns are mounting following the Hollis Planning Board meeting on April 21. The primary focus was the Deacon Lane and Proctor Hill subdivision, a proposed 35-home development that includes a new 'right-in/right-out' intersection on Proctor Hill Road.
Despite presentation of crash data showing a high frequency of run-off-the-road accidents in that area, the Board voted to move the project into the final design phase. While the Board did not grant final approval, members expressed significant anxiety regarding sight lines, bus stop safety, and municipal liability. One member stated bluntly, 'This intersection isn't safe... Who's liable if something happens there? It's the town.'
Additionally, the Board raised red flags regarding a cross-border project in Amherst that would impact Hollis via stormwater runoff into Witches Brook. The Board expressed skepticism regarding the identity of the applicant and the potential for pollutants like oil and asphalt to enter our local waters.
As these developments move forward, residents should demand that safety data and environmental protection are prioritized over developer timelines.
Public impact
Proposed 35-home residential development with new traffic intersection configurations.
The board voted unanimously to move the project to the final design phase, contingent on the applicant addressing a consolidated list of staff and consultant concerns.
The Town Planner will compile a list of concerns; the applicant must submit a final application including a waiver for the common driveway and address landscaping and buffer requirements.
Topics discussed
The board reviewed and moved to accept the minutes from the March 24 meeting.
The minutes were approved via a roll call vote.
An informational session regarding Eversource's request for tree trimming and pole upgrades on South Merrimack Road.
The board accepted the application to close the item.
Eversource representative Allison Marcotte to follow up on the resident's report of a broken gate/lock.
Update on the proposed 40-unit residential condominium development for older persons by Raisanen Homes Elite, LLC.
The board voted to continue the application to the next meeting.
Applicant to submit the full well study report; Staff to review data and prepare a memo for the May 19th meeting.
Final review of a 35-home residential subdivision, focusing on traffic safety, sight lines, mitigation, driveway configurations, landscaping, and environmental concerns.
The board did not make a final decision on approval but requested a consolidated list of concerns. The board unanimously preferred the CD5 common driveway configuration and voted to move the project to the final design phase.
Kevin Anderson (Town Planner) to compile a list of staff and consultant concerns for the applicant (Chad Brandon) to address. Applicant will submit a final application including a waiver for the common driveway and engage in informal discussions regarding landscaping and buffers. The meeting was continued to the May meeting.
Initial review of a project located in Amherst that requires stormwater management and compensatory storage in Hollis.
The board listened to the presentation but noted that because the plans might be outdated/changing, they cannot make substantive progress tonight. The board decided not to take any formal action on studies (wildlife, environmental, etc.) until a full, revised set of plans is received and reviewed.
The project will proceed to the Conservation Commission on May 20th (provided documents submitted by May 6th), and the board will revisit the matter after receiving updated, correct plans.
The board discussed using recent survey data and master plan progress to prioritize future zoning ordinance amendments.
The board agreed to work toward creating a prioritized list of potential zoning amendment topics.
Board members are encouraged to provide feedback/suggestions to Kevin regarding priority topics before the next meeting.
Review of a new document combining site plan and subdivision regulations into a single, homogeneous set of rules.
The board members provided positive feedback on the layout and the value of increased detail to ensure compliant submittals.
Board members are tasked with reviewing the document for flow and clarity.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
Deacon Lane and Proctor Hill Subdivision Traffic Safety
Amherst/Hollis Cross-Border Stormwater Project
Split votes
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
Member positions
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”
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grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning, grok-4-fast · analyzed 2026-07-08.
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