Neighbors raise erosion, wetlands and communication concerns over lot-line adjustment at Erie and Boynton Streets

Keach Nordstrom Associates presented a lot-line adjustment application to the Manchester Planning & Zoning Board on May 1 for two parcels at the intersection of Erie and Boynton streets. The proposal would reallocate two existing lot records so that Tax Map 455 Lot 10 would total about 17,439 square feet and Tax Map 658 Lot 32A would total about 12,769 square feet, both in an R1B zoning district.

Presenter Matt Peterson described the site configuration, existing sewer and drainage infrastructure, and a proposed easement to the city to formalize maintenance access. Applicant Todd Boyer said the plan yields two buildable lots that meet frontage and lot-area requirements and that the team has engaged a wetland scientist who found no on-site regulated wetlands.

The public comment period drew multiple abutters and neighbors citing recurring concerns: steep slopes and erosion risk; historic use of the parcel for drainage and an eminent-domain action in 1962; reports of an underground drain and a manhole; potential destabilization of large trees if roots are disrupted during construction; presence of invasive oriental bittersweet vines killing trees; and a perceived lack of direct communication from the owner to abutters. Several speakers urged more testing (wetland, geotechnical) and stronger erosion controls.

The applicant said a wetland scientist from Stony Ridge Environmental had concluded there are no on-site wetlands and offered to submit that letter to staff. He alsosaid DPW had reviewed preliminary grading and asked to coordinate final drainage solutions at the building-permit stage; the applicant committed to working with DPW to keep stormwater on-site through yard drains and connections to Erie Street catch basins. The owner said he does not plan to export material from the site except possibly foundation spoil and would add silt fencing and erosion controls. He also told neighbors he intends the houses for family members and not as rentals.

The board heard multiple emailed letters read into the record from immediate abutters reporting concerns about erosion, trees, invasive vines, and lack of direct outreach from the applicant; staff confirmed an EPD comment had been uploaded to the project file and DPW comments recommended yard drains be connected to Erie Street catch basins. The public hearing closed; staff will prepare a written report and a decision is expected at the board's next meeting in two weeks.