Planning board conditionally approves Sweet Hill Farm brewpub site plan with state permits still pending

The Plaistow Planning Board voted to accept as complete and to conditionally approve site plan review for a proposed brewpub at Sweet Hill Farm, 82 Newton Road (Tax Map 68 Lot 8). The board found the application complete, determined it was not a project of regional impact, and then conditionally approved the site plan with several state-permit and technical conditions.

Why it matters: the project would add agritourism and a licensed brewpub to an existing 25.62-acre farm on Route 108. The application raised technical and community questions about wastewater from brewing, water supply, traffic on a state road, stormwater, parking and the need for state approvals before final plan recording.

What the board decided: the board first voted to accept the application as complete (vote recorded as unanimous in the transcript). The board then voted 5-0 to declare the project not of regional impact. After discussion the board conditionally approved the site plan; the motion requires (among other items) that final plans bear all professional stamps, that state permits (including NHDES septic and water approvals) be received and filed with the planning department, that review comments be addressed, and that recording materials be submitted within 45 days of receiving all required state permits.

Project overview presented to the…