Planning board approves lot-line transfer, three‑lot subdivision and site plan for 15 Blackwater Road with conditions including city council conveyance and eas​

The Somersworth Planning Board on a series of votes approved a lot‑line adjustment, a three‑lot subdivision and conditional site‑plan approval that together clear the way for a 30‑unit condominium development at 15 Blackwater Road and formalize ownership of a small triangular parcel now held by Eversource.

The approvals allow a 2,623‑square‑foot strip of land to be transferred from Eversource to the city, subdivide the roughly 7.2‑acre parcel into three lots (a roughly 2.7‑acre ball‑field lot, a 0.6‑acre lot containing an existing brick building, and a 4.3‑acre condominium parcel), and fund construction of six condominium buildings totaling 30 units. The planning board made each approval subject to conditions including city council acceptance of the conveyance and recorded access easements for the city and Eversource.

Why it matters: the parcel includes the Summersworth Little League ball field and abuts an existing Superfund parcel and a proposed solar field. The decisions affect public access, Superfund monitoring access, future maintenance of utilities, sidewalk and road improvements on Parkview Terrace, and required state permits for stormwater and land‑disturbing work.

The lot‑line revision was described by Michelle Mears, Director of Planning and Community Development, as a transfer of a “2,623 square foot portion of land from Map 22, Lot 9, owned by Eversource, to Lot Map 22, Lot 50” and staff recommended approval with conditions. Planning Board member Mark Richardson first moved that the application presented “has no regional impact,” a motion the board approved. Planning Board member Jeremy Rhodes then moved the lot‑line adjustment approval; the motion passed after board discussion and with conditions that include city council acceptance of the conveyance and recorded access easements for both the city and Eversource.

Chris Rice of TF Moran, the applicant’s engineer, summarized the three‑step sequence for the board: first, Eversource will transfer the small triangle to the city; second, the combined parcel will be subdivided into the three lots; third, the condominium site plan would be recorded and built. “This portion of Parkview Terrace is being transferred into this lot… and then this will become a private road that’s owned and maintained by the condominium association,” Rice said, adding that the developer will provide access easements back to the city for the ball field and to Eversource for utility access.

On the subdivision, the board accepted the application and granted a waiver from the subdivision regulation that would otherwise require two front‑yard trees on each of the smaller lots. The board approved the subdivision after confirming staff conditions: final plans must bear the stamps of a licensed land surveyor and wetland scientist; monuments must be set and certified; proposed public access easement documents must be submitted and recorded; an escrow of $750 (or an amount determined by the planning director) is required to cover easement review and recording; and utility work and driveway permits are required through the Department of Public Works.

Board members pressed for protections tied to the Superfund monitoring well on site. Planning Board member Robert Bellmore asked that the city record an “access easement to the well that’s located near the former maintenance building” to preserve monitoring access; the applicant agreed to provide an access agreement as a condition.

On the condominium site plan, the applicant sought approval to demolish the existing National Guard Readiness Center, develop six buildings (three four‑unit buildings and three six‑unit buildings) for 30 condominium units, and construct a private road and underground utilities. Project consultant summarized parking and stormwater plans: each unit will have a one‑car garage plus one assigned exterior space; the submitted plan supplies 70 parking spaces total (60 required for units and 10 visitor spaces). “We have 60 for the units, and then we have 10 visitor spaces,” the consultant said. The submitted drainage analysis shows decreased peak runoff rates for all evaluated storms, with one discharge reduced roughly 50% and another reduced about 85% after on‑site infiltration basins are installed.

The board granted the applicant’s waiver request from the Class B buffer‑yard requirement where the existing building will remain (the ordinance requires a 35‑foot buffer; the plan shows 28 feet plus plantings and a 6‑foot vinyl fence). The site plan was approved with multiple conditions outlined by Michelle Mears and planning staff: resolution of the third‑party review engineer comments; condominium documents and a draft deed for the ball field must be provided for legal review; a New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) alteration of terrain permit is required; final plans must bear required professional stamps; erosion‑control and performance surety (no less than 25% of construction estimate) must be posted before site work; an on‑site sewer manhole will be required on Blackwater Road per DPW for future maintenance; the applicant must widen Parkview Terrace from 20 to 22 feet where shown; final sidewalk engineering (5‑foot ADA‑compliant sidewalk along Blackwater Road) is required; annual stormwater inspection and maintenance records must be provided; landscaping survival security (10% of landscaping cost or $500 minimum) shall be held two growing seasons; and as‑built plans are required.

Several board members also raised site‑specific equipment and access questions. David Witham said he was concerned about sequencing and access conflicts during construction but supported the extension process that will allow the developer to coordinate pre‑construction work. The board asked the applicant to ensure that the ball‑field scoreboard, flagpoles and other fixtures are shown on final plans or relocated if they fall on a different lot line after subdivision. Bellmore emphasized that the monitoring well remains accessible and that the city receive a recorded access easement.

What happens next: final recorded plans, deeds and easement instruments must be submitted to the Planning Department and recorded simultaneously with plot certification; the city council must formally accept the triangle conveyance from Eversource; NHDES must approve the site’s alteration of terrain permit; condominium documents and easement recordings must be completed prior to issuance of certificates of occupancy.

Votes at a glance: - Lot‑line adjustment (transfer of 2,623 sq ft from Eversource to city): motion to approve by Jeremy Rhodes; second David Witham; outcome: approved (conditions include city council acceptance and recorded easements). - Three‑lot minor subdivision of 7.2 acres (15 & 17 Blackwater Road): motion to approve by David Witham; second Jeremy Rhodes; outcome: approved (conditions include monumentation, escrow for easement recording, and deed recording requirements). Waiver from two front‑yard trees granted (mover: Jason Berry; second: Bonnie McNair). - Site plan approval for six condominium buildings, 30 units: motion to approve by David Witham; second Jeremy Rhodes; outcome: approved with conditions (third‑party review resolution, NHDES permits, condominium documents, escrow and performance surety, sewer manhole on Blackwater Road, sidewalk construction, and recorded easements including city acceptance of conveyance).

Speakers quoted in this article include Michelle Mears, Director of Planning and Community Development; Chris Rice, TF Moran (applicant engineer); and members of the planning board who voted. All quoted statements are drawn from the meeting record.

This package of approvals ties land ownership, public access, utility access and a proposed condominium project together; the city council’s forthcoming action on the conveyance and the recording of access easements are the immediate next steps before construction can proceed.