LONDONDERRY — Members of the town’s Elder Affairs Committee haven’t ruled out a parcel of town-owned land on Sanborn Road as the location of a new senior housing complex.

The former salvage yard, which has recently been eyed as a potential site for a new dog park, has been considered several times by the Elder Affairs Committee in recent years.

Last year, the committee had hoped to work with Southern New Hampshire Services (SNHS) to build a senior housing complex on the site, but had changed their mind after a spring 2011 property assessment revealed traces of arsenic and magnesium in the soil.

In February, SNHS decided to instead pursue federal Section 202 funding for an alternate site on Smith Lane, but the application was denied.

Meanwhile, Dog Park Committee representatives plan to discuss their wishes to build a dog park on the property during the Oct. 15 meeting.

Dog Park Committee Dottie Grover said she was previously unaware of the Elder Affairs Committee’s intentions, but both Grover and Thrall agreed they’d leave it up to the town to decide.

Chairman Stacy Thrall said a previous Town Council had already committed the land to the committee for future use as affordable senior apartments.

“Right now, we’re kind of in limbo until 2013, when further funding is available,” Thrall told the council Monday night. “What we’re hoping is further funds will be allocated through HUD.”

Committee members stressed they’re still interested in keeping their options open, though Thrall admitted it could take a year or longer to find a willing developer and conduct further testing on the site.

“We’ve been told that the process would take several years, as it’s unlikely they’d be approved first time around,” Thrall said.

She noted that SNHS had recommended several further corrective actions, including possibly removing an underground fuel tank on the site and conducting further soil testing.

“All these issues would need to be addressed before we submit this for HUD funding again,” Thrall said.

Rep. Al Baldasaro (R-Londonderry), who serves on the Elder Affairs Committee, said the state had already funded much of the site’s cleanup some years back, as the area was one of several designated Superfund sites.

Councilors agreed to further tackle the topic during an upcoming meeting.

“I think our seniors definitely deserve this type of housing either way, and we need to make this a higher priority,” Councilor Joe Green said.

aguilmet@newstote.com