MERRIMACK, N.H. (AP) – Town planners are scheduled to hold a public hearing Tuesday to determine whether zoning should be changed to allow an upscale outlet mall to be built in the community.

Chelsea Property Group of Roseland, N.J., has proposed building a 135-store facility on 119 acres in two phases. When complete, the outlet center would have 550,000 square feet of retail space and a food court.

The developer anticipates 5 to 7 million people shopping at Merrimack’s outlet center annually. The development is projected to pay Merrimack roughly $1.4 million in taxes each year.

Chelsea hopes to open the Merrimack outlet center in the fall of 2006.

Zoning must be changed from industrial to allow for commercial use for any mall to be built, and the amendment must ultimately be approved by town voters in April.

The amendment forbids any single building over 120,000 square feet and any shop greater than 40,000 square feet. It also requires a configuration of buildings to have a “center courtyard and connecting walkways” and no more than 650,000 square feet of total gross floor built.