Planning board approves conditional use permit for wetland‑buffer work at 2 Shady Lane; forwards Strafford appointment to council

The Somersworth Planning Board on a voice vote approved a conditional use permit (CUP) for construction of a single‑family home, driveway and utilities that will impact 21,389 square feet of the Riparian Wetland Buffer District at 2 Shady Lane (Map 21, Lot 148).

The permit was requested by property owners Eric and Sherry Detflor and presented by Joe Berry of Berry Surveying. Director Mears summarized staff and Conservation Commission review and said the Conservation Commission recommended approval after a special meeting. The board also approved a waiver from the site‑plan rule requiring a high‑intensity soil survey and moved that the application did not have regional impact. The board voted to forward a separate appointment — Mark Richardson to the Strafford Regional Planning Commission — to the City Council with a favorable recommendation.

Why it matters: The permit allows development in a regulated wetland buffer that the city and Conservation Commission oversee. Staff conditioned final approval on documentation and construction controls intended to reduce erosion and protect downstream resources, and the project will require state wetlands permitting before a certificate of occupancy can be issued.

Board and staff said the revised plan reduces environmental risk compared with the prior approval for the lot. Joe Berry, representing the applicants, described design…