On Monday night, the Peterborough Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) unanimously approved a variance for Catholic Charities’ 93-unit, mixed-income, multigenerational development in the Business/industrial zone at 10 and 12 Vose Farm Road. 

Catholic Charities hopes to eventually build 93 units of housing, with around 64 being built in the first phase of development. The development will have affordable and workforce units, including 52 units of two bedroom housing. They plan to build an additional building on the property and convert existing low-demand office space into housing. 

At a ZBA meeting in January, Catholic Charities Executive Director of Real Estate and Senior Living Development Jeff Lefkovich presented explained the project would be part of the organization’s larger initiative to create 500 units of affordable housing in New Hampshire in the next 10 years. They hope to work with area organizations that provide support for people, such as Monadnock Family Services, and offer senior support through Catholic Charities’ program Monadnock at Home.

“What we’re trying to do is put a model together that really supports a wide range of people,” said Lefkovich Monday, “Our model will be a mixed-income model.” He said local businesses are still struggling to hire people, housing is in great demand and the office spaces have been sitting vacant.

Carol Nelson, co-chair of Peterborough’s Affordable Housing Subcommittee, said housing is a critical need, and the subcommittee approves of the plan.

“Our committee is currently doing interviews with local employers. They have had people accept positions and not be able to take them because of housing,” she said.

Attorney Jim Callahan, who is representing Catholic Charities, added, “Construction costs are through the roof. Labor costs are through the roof.”

Lefkovich said financing costs are up, and “You’re not going to get someone who is a typical for-profit landlord doing this.”

The project would be financed through a state program that awards tax credits to business investors supporting organizations working on community economic development initiatives.

“It’s not your traditional equity investor that’s looking for a substantial equity return,” Lefkovich said.

ZBA member Don Selby emphasized that they needed to be specific and questioned changing the wording in the variance to request only workforce housing.

“If we use the term ‘workforce housing’ it will restrict some of the things they want to do,” said Vice Chair Peggy Leedberg, who was acting as Chair on Monday.

“We can’t agree to limit it to workforce housing,” said Callahan.

“Multigenerational, mixed income would be ideal,” said Lefkovich, “It al lows us the flexibility to meet the needs of a broader group of people.”

The board decided the wording of “multigenerational, mixed income” would work.

Leedberg said, “I have been on this board for almost 8½ years. This is the most reasonable use I’ve had come before us.”

The next step will be for Catholic Charities to go to the Planning Board.

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