Lebanon Planning Board delays decision on River Park extension

LEBANON — The Planning Board delayed its decision on whether to grant the developers of River Park an extension on its site plan, saying that it wanted “additional information” first.

Members of the Board signaled that they were inclined to grant the two-year extension for each of project’s construction phases to developers David and Chet Clem but first want them to submit, among other things, a “timeline” of when each of the project’s second through sixth phases are expected to begin and be completed.

“We’re looking to buy but we don’t know what we’re being sold,” Andrew Faunce, chairman of the Planning Board, said to David Clem at a more than two-hour public meeting on Monday evening at which the Clems’ had hoped to be granted the extension.

Board members, who faced vocal pleas from a handful of residents in support of River Park to grant the extension, said they were leaning toward approving it providing the request for additional information is met.

The River Park mixed-use development, initially proposed 16 years ago and which has experienced repeated setbacks and delays, is envisioned to be a campus of buildings along the river on Route 5 that would be home to life science and high-tech businesses. Supporters argue it would provide a tax revenue boost for the city.

The Planning Board said it would take up the matter again at its March 17 meeting.