Parking, lighting and wetland issues at the proposed Bedford Village Common still need to be worked out before the plan gets final approval.

Bedford Village Common Committee Chairman Beverly Thomas and engineer Jeff Kevan of TFMoran Inc. gave an informational presentation to update the Planning Board on Monday, Oct. 22, and give abutters a chance to ask questions about the proposed plan.

The final site plan for the 9.3- acre Bedford Village Common proposes a 23,200-square-foot skating pond, a 220-square -foot warming hut, a war memorial, 27 parking spaces and stone dust walking paths around the skating pond to the parking lot. Land abutter Elaine Tefft, who lives on 7 Meetinghouse Road, wanted to know how much land would be disturbed by the building of the Bedford Village Common.

“Really, what we’re trying to do is match existing ground,” said Kevan.

About 16,000 square feet would be disturbed for the 27 paved parking spaces and access road, said Kevan.

Town Councilor Bob Young voiced concerns about people getting dropped off when coming to the Bedford Village Common.

“The police did not want a drop-off area at this location,” said Kevan, adding he would consider directional signals on Route 101 to help that issue.

Planning Board member Debbie Sklar said 27 parking spaces may not be enough.

Kevan said the wetlands confine his company to the number of parking spaces they could fit.

He also said he believes there would be enough parking.

“If each car brought three people, the skating pond would be getting close to max capacity anyway,” he said.

Tefft also had concerns over the impact on wetlands this park would have, and asked what species the common will encourage and protect.

“We’re hoping to have shrubtype vegetation around the pond that would encourage amphibians and smaller mammals to that area,” said Kevan.

Planning Board member Harold Newberry questioned Kevan about the location and brightness of the lights at the skating pond.

Kevan said his company is still working on the lighting locations.

In the original plan, four lighting polls were proposed, however, Kevan said they now hope to narrow it down to three.

“The intent is to provide a little illumination, not turn it into day,” said Kevan.

Town Manager Russ Marcoux said the Bedford Village Common project is still in the process of meeting with various town boards and groups before it gets final approval.

The next Planning Board meeting is Nov. 11, at BCTV Studios. For agenda information and meeting minutes, visit www.bedfordnh.org.