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Planning board grants Wentworth Watershed Association special use permit for two wetland viewing platforms
Summary
The board approved two small observation platforms and short walkways on upland edges of Brewster Heath's prime wetland buffer after the applicant revised the plan to move structures outside the prime wetland per NHDES guidance; platforms will rest on helical piers with minimal ground contact for educational outreach.
Dan [last name redacted], agent for the Wentworth Watershed Association, presented a proposal for two observation platforms on the Brewster Heath buffer off McManus Road. He said the Association initially proposed platform locations that extended into the town's designated prime wetland but that New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services required the platforms be moved outside the prime wetland limit.
"These are to educate the public about the value of wetlands and to be able to get up close and personal of those wetlands without any direct impact from foot traffic in the wetland," Dan told the board. He described two small platforms (an 8-by-12 and a 12-by-12 structure in the packet) reached by 4-foot-wide walkways and supported on helical piers. "Platforms are going to be on helical piers," he said, noting that the design minimizes intrusion into wetland soils and places the only ground contact in adjacent upland.
The conservation commission submitted a memo stating no objection. The board performed a site visit that evening; Nancy Wiley (who participated in the site visit) confirmed members saw the proposed locations and returned to the board with questions about construction methods. Dan explained materials and access plans, noting that pressure-treated lumber had been stockpiled on site and that work would use portable piling equipment or a small excavator where necessary.
Board members noted the very small footprint and low-impact installation method; one member said a helix pier is "the least amount of intrusion into any kind of foundation work" for a wet area. After discussion, the board voted to accept the application as complete and to grant the special use permit. The vote was unanimous and no waivers were requested.
The applicant was instructed to follow the permitted plan and to document construction details in the building/permit process; no conditions beyond standard permit requirements were recorded.
