Wright Avenue Site Plan Approved

The Planning Board approved the Wright Avenue site plan on Thursday night at City Hall, bringing the upscale residential and retail project one step closer to breaking ground later this year, but one big hurdle still remains.

In two weeks, Steve Kelm, the owner of the property where the development will be located, will go before the city's Historic District Commission for approval again and he is not sure how it will go.

Following Thursday night's meeting, Kelm said the HDC still has concerns about the building's height and proposed exterior style. While half the board wanted him to build an iconic building that would serve as a gateway to the downtown from the new Memorial Bridge, the other half of its members wanted him to do a building that would blend in more with the surrounding buildings.

Kelm, who grew up in Portsmouth and once lived on State Street, said he is determined to push for a building design that will not be just another four story building with a flat roof. "I care about what I build and I want to build something nice, but you can't please everybody," he said.

According to city Principal Planner Nick Cracknell, the HDC's members want the developer to come back with a less tall building with an exterior facade that will not be as ornate as the one they originally proposed.

He said the developer is expected to come back to the HDC with two plans, the one they originally proposed and a second plan. He said they may also request a public hearing at the next HDC meeting. When asked how the HDC might vote on the Wright Avenue plan, Cracknell predicted it could have a 50-50 chance to gaining approval.

During Thursday night's Planning Board meeting, Kelm's site plan to demolish the former Rosa's garage building and build a five-story, 9,138 building was unanimously approved.

The board adopted Planning Director Rick Taintor's recommended that Kelm  contribute 50 percent of the cost up to a maximum of $30,000 to expand the sidewalk, which he estimated at more than $56,000.

Planning Board member William Gladhill, who serves on the HDC, said that even though he voted in favor of the site plan, he reserves the right to not vote in favor of the project when it comes before the HDC again next month.

Taintor said the site plan approval is contingent on whether the HDC approves the site plan also.

City Councilor Nancy Novelline Clayburgh, who serves on the Planning Board, said she finds the proposed Wright Avenue building design “pleasing” and “that it fits in well” with the surrounding area.

In February, Kelm told Portsmouth Patch he hopes to break ground later this spring. He wants to construct a new upscale building that will house two retailers and up to 15 luxury units with some underground parking. He expects the building to be completed in 15 months.

Kelm said the residential units will range in size from 1,100 to 3,000 square feet. "Once it's approved and you start building, it will generate plenty of interest," Kelm said then.

When asked what he will do if the HDC votes against his proposed design on April 1, Kelm said he will more than likely continue to work with the HDC until he can get approval. After working with the city for more than a year, he said he cannot afford to give up now.