THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Thursday, July 12, 2012— Page 11
Shepherd’s Hut Market at Ramblin’ Vewe Sheep Farm 637 Morrill Street, Gilford, NH 527-1873 • 393-4696
Summer Hours: Tues. & Thur. 9am-1pm; Wed. 1-6pm; Fri. 1-4pm; Sat. 10-2pm
Snap Peas, Lettuce, Radishes & Broccoli Are In! Saturday, 11am - 3pm Fun With Felting Workshop Wet and Needle Felting $11 ~ Materials
An artist’s rendering of the front of the expanded Walmart superstore off Lake Shore Road in Gilford. The new construction will take place in Laconia, which is to the left in this drawing. (Courtesy illustration)
WALMART from page one the owner of the plaza, said that the plan originated when Hannaford decided to relocate to Winnipesaukee Crossing, the redeveloped shopping center on the opposite side of Lake Shore Road. “It’s a real game changer when Walmart wants to double its size,” he said, adding that for WS Development it presented “an opportunity to remerchandise an aging asset.” The two most controversial aspects of the projects are the elimination of 31,363-square-feet of wetlands — 31,152-square-feet in Laconia and 211-squarefeet in Gilford — and the impact of stormwater runoff on Black Brook, into which the plaza drains. Perrin expressed his appreciation to the Planning Department and the Planning Board for working in collaborating with their counterparts in Gilford, especially to address the drainage system, which flows through both municipalities before emptying into Paugus Bay near the intake to Laconia’s drinking water supply. “This plan is the product of an open and involved process,” Perrin said. Noting that the Gilford Planning Board conditionally approved the site plan last month, he said that “this has been a very successful approval process to date.” He pointed out that the project would provide opportunities for construction workers and expand the city’s property tax base. Tom Sokoloski of Schauer Environmental Consultants, LLC of Loudon described the wetlands as an “isolated upland wetland,” which despite meeting the criteria of a wetland does not function as a wetland. Instead, he said that it was driest area he could recall that qualified as a wetland. He explained that it is atop a hill underlain by hardpan and not con-
nected to any water body or course. It provides no significant capacity to store or filter floodwater, he said, but only offers habitat for wildlife, but not for animals commonly found in wetlands. “It is not a valuable wetland,” he said. Dean Anson, chairman of the Conservation Commission, said that he was not aware that the Planning Board had ever approved such an extensive impact on wetlands. “Removing an entire wetland is an issue for us,” he said, cautioning against allowing this case to serve as a precedent for other developers. “I’d rather get hit in the head with a baseball bat than come in here and ask to do away with wetlands,” Smith declared. However, he said that with this project there was no feasible alternative and doubted it would create a precedent. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) granted a permit to fill the wetlands, but waived the requirement to mitigate the impact by restoring or creating wetlands oneand-a-half times the size of the affected area, which it agreed was not feasible. Instead, DES required Walmart to make a cash payment of $132,000 to the Aquatic Resource Mitigation Program administered by the agency. Bill Stack of Steven J. Smith & Associates, who engineered the original plaza when it was built 20 years ago, said that the drainage system was designed to minimize the impact on Black Brook. Two detention ponds, one near the entrance on Lake Shore Road and the other near the southeast corner of the property, will both be significantly enlarged. The second pond will have an outlet pipe draining see next page
Central Baptist Church (Corner of 106 & Dutile Rd. Belmont)
Theme: Sonlight Express July 23-27, 10am-1pm For more Information, call 293-4052 Lunch Provided
MAGGY D’S
GARDEN CENTER & FARMSTAND
Summer Specials July 12-19th
Hanging Baskets 2 / $32 1 Gallon Perennials $10 or less 1 Quart Perennials $5 or 3 / $12 Annual Clearance Table 4” pots $1.00 ea. OUR OWN FARM FRESH PRODUCE ZUCCHINI, PEPPERS, YELLOW SQUASH, CUCUMBERS & MORE! GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE 263 Court St. Laconia 603-496-7239
Advanced General Dentistry
Jean-Paul DMD, Rabbath MAGD, PLLC
Master Academy of General Dentistry NH AGD Delegate & Membership Chair Member AGD, ADA, CDA, NHDS, MDS
• Restorative, Preventive & Implant Dentistry • Cosmetic (Veneers, Whitening & More) • Invisalign (Clear Alternative to Braces) • Dental Surgery (Extractions) • Gum Surgery (Laser) • Immediate Full & Partial Dentures WE CARE • Same Day Emergencies
Dentist also speaks French & Spanish! Major Credit Cards & Insurance Accepted
New Patients Welcome (Adults & Children)
Legal Counsel &Trial Attorneys Civil Litigation Personal Injury Criminal Defense Family Law
Call Today To Schedule An Appointment!
286-8618
468 W. Main St., Tilton, NH 03276 www.rabbathdental.com
www.mclaughlinlawoffice.com 501 Union Avenue, Suite #2, Laconia, NH 03246 (603) 528.6953 • mlo@metrocast.net