Workforce Housing Plan Approved In Salem

SALEM, NH — The town is expected to have more workforce housing options after the Planning Board approved plans last month for a new apartment building on Braemoor Woods Road. The 38-unit building, to be developed using state and federal funding, will charge rent below the market rate. Plans were approved during the April 23 Planning Board meeting, but the board is expected to still discuss impact fees for the project.

According to Town Planner Ross Moldoff, the project goes along with the town's goal to offer more affordable housing options for non-elderly adults. This goal had been identified in Salem's master plan, he said. The 38-unit building would be the second workforce housing building on Braemoor Woods Road.

In addition to approving the plan for the project, the Planning Board on April 23 also approved three conditional use permits — to allow the building to be longer and taller than the current zoning ordinance allows, and to allow parking in front of the building.

A system of trails and a shared playground between the two buildings already exist in the area where the new apartment building would be developed. A new gazebo will be added as well, according to the plans.

Some of the residents living near the proposed project spoke about traffic and lighting concerns at the meeting.

Although the plan has been approved, the project is expected to go back before the Planning Board at a future date. The developer is hoping the board can either waive or reduce impact fees to make the project more financially viable.