LONDONDERRY — Plans for a 240-unit apartment community on Perkins Road raised the ire of several would-be neighbors during Wednesday evening's Planning Board meeting.

Officials from Monahan Companies, a development company with three decades of experience building similar communities in other parts of the state, shared conceptual plans for the new development proposed for construction on 25 acres at 62 Perkins Road. Abutters of the property were notified by the developers before Wednesday night's public discussion.

If approved, the new development would be the first of its kind in Londonderry. But some residents living nearby are hoping that day never comes.

Resident Benny Vachon said he was worried about the fate of several 100-year-old trees located on the property, as well as the drilling and blasting that would take place during construction.

“When I moved from the city, I wanted a simple life, a farm life,” said Brian Micciche. “So I wouldn't personally want to see any large buildings. How about taking the feelings of people that pay taxes in this town into account?”

His neighbor, Jimmy Fabiano, shared similar thoughts.

“Why can't you (instead) do a cul-de-sac community with single-family homes?” he asked. “I moved from Revere to get away from this type of thing. Do we need 240 more apartments?”

Developer Tom Monahan said he and his engineering team believe the plans are consistent with Londonderry's current inclusionary/work force housing ordinance.

Several years ago, Londonderry's Housing Task Force report highlighted the need for work force housing in town, with a number of possible locations listed in the report.

Formed in May 2007, the task force began researching needs for work force housing well before state legislators began working to mandate reasonable opportunities for work force housing, with the task force's final report issued in April 2008.

An inclusionary housing ordinance was passed in Londonderry in 2010.

The Perkins Road site was among the sites listed and was chosen based on its location and accessibility to public utilities, among other things.

Several potential options were presented, including one with 15, 16-unit buildings and another with five, 48-unit buildings.

Developers said the latter option would be more economically viable on their part, though currently the town's ordinance doesn't allow for such densely populated apartment buildings.

Twenty-four units was the maximum previously allowed in Londonderry, though with the adoption of the inclusionary housing ordinance, that number was reduced to 16 units after the town's Planning Department heard extensively from worried residents. However, in certain instances, a permit for 20-unit buildings may be granted, Community Development Director Andre Garron said.

Rents would average around $1,350 per month, including utilities, Monahan said. Those rates are consistent with HUD guidelines, he noted.

“Those prices seem pretty steep for work force housing,” board member Dana Coons said. “If you want us to bend, I would expect you to bend by offering lower rents.”

Board Chairman Art Rugg said he felt it was “too early in the process to get hung up on rents.”

An antique farmhouse is currently located on the property. Rugg noted the farm is listed in the town's historic properties list, and therefore preserving it should be a priority.

“I enjoy seeing the wild turkeys on this property when I drive by every day. I can't support this, particularly the 48-unit buildings,” board member Lynn Wiles added. “The abutters and the neighbors in this area would see a large increase in traffic.”

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April Guilmet may be reached at AGuilmet@newstote.com.