Planning Board approves NH Scott headquarters at former Camp Spaulding with restrictions on large outdoor events

The Concord City Planning Board voted April 21 to approve New Hampshire Scott’s proposal to convert the former Camp Spaulding property at 210 Bog Road into the nonprofit’s year-round headquarters and cultural center, while placing limits on the group’s large outdoor events.

The board approved architectural design and major site plan applications, several waivers and conditional-use permits required for parking surfacing, wetland buffer disturbance and the privately owned outdoor recreational facility. The board set conditions intended to limit neighborhood impacts: no more than six large outdoor events per year, amplified or outdoor music to stop by 8 p.m. (site activities may wind down until 9 p.m.), and that NH Scott post an annual events schedule by March 1 and notify neighbors through its channels. The board also required a landscape buffer along a narrow western property pinch-point and agreed the applicant should work with staff on details such as emergency access and parking control during events.

The planning staff had recommended approving most permits but flagged the outdoor recreational permit for further discussion because the RO district rules require a 100-foot buffer around outdoor recreation facilities. Staff said that buffer was not shown on the plans and would need to be addressed if the board approved the CUP.

John Arnold, the project attorney, described the site and use to the board and emphasized…