After two years of delays, a massive development off Manchester Street in Concord can move ahead now that developers gained consent from the planning board – but the approval comes with a long list of conditions.

With its proximity to the east shore of the Merrimack River, a major portion of the site is in a floodplain. One of the conditions set by the planning board is for the developers to obtain verification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that the floodplain map has been revised.

Residents are also worried about having a gas station so close to the river.

“A new gas station in a flood plain, no less,” wrote Ward 7 resident Alex Streeter in an email to the planning board. “The runoff from that facility, and potential leaching from its underground storage tanks, will create problems for the local environment and Merrimack River. I worry that within a generation, as gasoline consumption wanes, this facility will become a white elephant, and an environmental hot potato that no one will want to touch, nor spend a dime to remediate.”

Determining the route of the Merrimack River Greenway Trail through the property to connect Terrill Park to the property located to the south and Garvin Falls Road is also another condition.

Additionally, the developer must assess the sewer and water systems evaluated to determine if the existing systems can support the multi-use project.

Apart from these, project developers also have to make improvements to support traffic with consultation from the state Department of Transportation, and demonstrate a plan to ensure emergency vehicles can access the area.

The first phase would include five multi-family apartment buildings, senior-specific housing, and commercial space for retail stores, a restaurant, a gas station, a bank, and a car wash.

Phase two of the project outlines a restaurant, medical office building, and retail stores.

“This area of the city would benefit greatly from a redevelopment,” said Ari Pollack who is representing the site owners’ ROI Irrevocable Trust at Wednesday’s planning board meeting. “When it is developed, it’s going to hit some serious priorities for market housing, senior housing, medical facilities, public open space trail connections and of course, all of that leads to an enhanced tax base.”

The comprehensive development plan will add 385 housing units to the city’s housing stock.

Although developers initially envisioned construction in the spring of 2022, with the pandemic, site changes and the planning board process, that timeline was delayed.

Ron Dupont and Ducal Development LLC are the developers who will build the multi-family apartment buildings and senior living areas, respectively.