Planning board deems large Mountsport project regionally significant; smaller projects split

The Lebanon Planning Board on Sept. 14 considered whether three recently filed applications should be treated as having potential for regional impact.

Staff outlined three new submissions: a two‑lot minor subdivision by Woodrow Fitness LLC at 33 Morgan Drive (PB2026‑44‑MIN); a site‑plan application from SPNH Mountsport LLC for a proposed approximately 260‑unit multifamily development on Mountsport Road (PB2026‑46‑SSPR); and a site‑plan application from Saxon TFG Merrick Lebanon JV LLC for an 11‑unit townhome project (PB2026‑47‑SPR). Staff recommended the Mountsport project be treated as having potential regional impact and that affected towns (notably Hanover) and the regional planning commission be notified.

Board members discussed whether the three filings represented separate applications or parts of a larger development by related entities. After motions and show‑of‑hands votes the board unanimously found that the Woodrow Fitness subdivision does not have potential for regional impact. The board also unanimously determined that the Mountsport multi‑family application does have potential for regional impact and will be noticed and given an opportunity to comment. A motion regarding the Saxon TFG Merrick application initially failed; a follow‑up motion that it does not have potential for regional impact passed with one member opposed.

The regional‑impact designation does not decide the applications themselves but triggers formal notice to neighboring municipalities and the regional planning commission and may result in additional review time or comment. Board members signaled interest in treating each filing as a separate application while acknowledging developers may be related.