Planning Board OKs Freezer Warehouse expansion

By APRIL GUILMET
Union Leader Correspondent
LONDONDERRY -- Following the Planning Board’s unanimous approval, plans for an 82,000-square-foot addition incorporating two Rockingham Road freezer facilities will now head before the Town Council.
Owned by Ed Dougherty, both the Londonderry Freezer Warehouse and Highwood Cold Stor­Continued From Page A1 age are located at 219 Rockingham Road. 
Initial expansion plans were presented to the Planning Board on Dec. 8. During a brief public hearing on Jan. 26, the board granted its approval to rezone both parcels from commercial to industrial, on the condition of the Planning Board’s approval of a voluntary merger or lot consolidation of both parcels. 
Planning officials noted that the current warehouse use is much more compatible with the industrial district, as the use is already well established in this location. 
The Londonderry Freezer facility was built in 1998 as a 60,000-square-foot freezer warehouse, which was expanded in 2000 with a 30,000-squarefoot addition. Today’s facility is around 94,000 square feet. 
Highway Cold Storage was built in 2002 at 101,000 square feet and was expanded in 2005 to a total of 126,00 square feet. 
Tucked behind heavy vegetation, neither facility is visible from Route 28. 
An 82,000-square-foot addition of warehouse space, office and quality control areas would bring the site’s total footprint to 176,000 square feet, with plans to also include 24 new parking spaces and fire access toward the back of the building. 
No one from the public commented on the matter during this week’s meeting. 
The project will head before the Town Council for final approval in the coming months.