On March 6, 2012, a special meeting of the BMA (a public meeting) was held that concerned the proposed zoning change for correctional institutions. The change had been previously discussed by the Bills on Second Readings Committee and had received its support.

Importantly, on January 6, 2012, an article had appeared in the Concord Monitor that noted there were several options for the winning prison bidder (in response to the state's RFP). It stated that this entity could build and run a new prison, renovate the existing Concord prison and run it, or build a new prison that the state could run.

At the Manchester BMA meeting, Planning and Community Development Director Leon LaFreniere made a presentation that concerned his proposed zoning change, and noted the lot size and setbacks that would be required for privately-owned correctional institutions. (It is of considerable importance that state-run institutions are exempt from such zoning ordinances).

LaFreniere provided a map that showed an appropriate area for a privately-owned prison - an industrial-zoned land parcel near the Manchester airport. The ordinance included restrictions for a possible prison, i.e., that the site for it be limited to 5 acres, and that it be located 1500 feet from a residential or commercial zone, church, school, public park, or licensed day center. A lengthy discussion of the selection by the aldermen then took place, with some consideration also being given to the location of half way houses in the city.

Alderman Katsiantonis, the alderman from Ward 8, took strong objection to the site location in south Manchester. He noted that many of his constituents felt it was unfair that this part of the city was selected for the prison. LaFreniere responded that the locations appropriate for industrial zoning in the city had not been arranged around the city's division into wards.

He also explained that the limitation of a privately-owned prison to the designated site near the airport "protects" other parts of the city from such construction. Presumably, then, a prison of this nature could not be built on Hackett Hill.

However, as noted above, the state does not have to abide by the city's ordinance and developer Richard Danais is known to be working with an Arizona company interested in placing a privately-owned prison on his property.

Moreover, Manchester's Mayor, Ted Gatsas, has not been strongly opposed to the location of a prison in Manchester, citing economic reasons.

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It should be noted that other communities have recently shown considerable interest in the proposed prison. The financial gain that would ensue from the prison's construction is likely to be considerable, and the site selection has accordingly become highly competitive.

Members of the public were allowed to voice their opinion at the conclusion of the aldermanic discussion. Previous objections to a Hackett Hill-located prison were repeated. The opinion was also expressed that Manchester, as a whole, was not an appropriate place for a prison.

The zoning ordinance was subsequently voted on by the BMA and approved.