Planning board approves 2‑lot subdivision at 18 Michael Bennett Road

The Brentwood Planning Board voted to approve a minor two‑lot subdivision for 18 Michael Bennett Road (Tax Map 213, Lot 19), with conditions including a final sign‑off from the town technical review committee and monumentation.

The application, presented by Ryan Lovell, a surveyor with Lovell Associates, proposed dividing an 8.43‑acre parcel owned by the Layton Family Trust into two lots so the existing dwelling would remain on a 3.57‑acre parcel and a new lot of about 4.86 acres would be created. “This subdivision will allow for the reasonable development of the land while preserving its natural features and meeting all applicable regulations,” Lovell said, describing plan revisions made after the town engineer’s March 5 memo and an engineering review letter.

Board members and staff discussed wetlands, driveway grading, erosion controls and tree/vegetation clearing limits. A resident asked about setback lines on a plan and staff confirmed those lines denote building and septic setbacks. Staff and the applicant said the plan shows an estimated location for the proposed dwelling and detached garage but that exact building footprints may shift when trees are cleared and final designs are determined. Lovell said the shown house dimensions are an estimate and that he expects a smaller house than the maximum footprint shown.

Planning staff confirmed the applicant had responded to the town engineer’s comments and revised plan labelings, driveway grades and delineated the approximate edge of tree clearing and erosion control notes. Planning staff also noted that no variances had been requested or granted for the project.

Before voting, a member of staff said, “I would just say that we should have a final sign off letter from” (town technical review committee) as a condition. The board approved the subdivision conditioned on receiving that final sign‑off and on monumentation. The approval motion was made by Steph and seconded by Brian West; the recorded vote was two yes votes (Aye, Aye) and the motion carried.

The board advised the applicant that the shown house and garage locations are conceptual and may change during final design and that erosion controls (for example silt fence or equivalent) must be shown for construction. The applicant was reminded to provide any additional as‑built documentation or final engineering sign‑offs required by the town.