By Dave Choate

September 18. 2009 2:00AM

Kline’s site plan gets final approval

PORTSMOUTH — The plan to replace the old Kline’s Furniture building is a go.

The Planning Board granted site review approval to a five-story, 11,995-square-foot, mixed-use building at the site of the now-closed Islington Street store, the final evolution of a plan which originally called for a pair of multi-story buildings but was scaled down for a less intense use of the property. John Chagnon of Ambit Engineering, who presented to the board Thursday night on behalf of the developers, said following the approvals that developers told him they plan to break ground in November.

The Planning Board asked a final series of questions before approval with stipulations focusing on phased construction.

Donald Coker asked if the city could or would require the applicant to come back after a year or more if construction is not moving along because of economic difficulties. Jennifer Ramsey of SOMMA Studios said the building could be built in two phases, with a “couple of months” of lag time in between, or all at once if the circumstances dictate it.

As part of the plan, a portion of Parker Street will be opened to two-way traffic, which Chagnon said allows traffic to reroute back out to Islington Street and not nearby Hanover Street.

Resident Steve Fowle praised developers for leaving room for parking on Tanner Court as part of the project, though City Planner Rick Taintor said the city would have to determine whether the space set aside by the developers would be used for that purpose.

“It’s gratifying to see a developer take into consideration the parking factor in this neighborhood,” Fowle said.

The board also granted approval to changing the name of a section of Chestnut Street near The Music Hall to Music Hall Way, which was recommended by the City Council.

The name change is still subject to the approval of police, fire and other emergency organizations.

Article originally published on Seacoastonline.com and can be viewed at:

http://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20090918/NEWS/909180377/101017/NEWS?template=printart