Private‑road proposal at 197 Jenkins Road set for site walk; board requests hydrogeologic data before completeness determination

The Planning Board continued completeness review on Jan. 7 for a private‑road extension and new lot at 197 Jenkins Road, directing staff and the applicant to schedule a site walk for 7:45 a.m. on Jan. 15 and to provide updated existing‑conditions documentation and further technical materials, including well tests and local groundwater information.

What the proposal seeks: Applicant 5 Star Holdings LLC and engineer Trillium propose to upgrade and extend an existing driveway to private‑road standards and to create frontage for an additional lot that could accommodate a duplex. The applicant said the existing paved drive was built to private‑road standards to an intermediate point and the proposal would extend the road and add a final turnaround.

Board concerns and request for data: Several board members cited soil and groundwater issues. Staff and board members noted a test pit from Aug. 21, 2024 that recorded a limiting factor (groundwater/poor drainage) at roughly 13 inches — well above the 48‑inch threshold that triggers a formal hydrogeologic assessment under the ordinance. Planning Board member Jeff asked for a hydrogeologic assessment or sufficient existing well and soil data to demonstrate no adverse groundwater impact; other members asked staff to gather available well test records for nearby properties so the board can understand existing groundwater conditions before final completeness action.

Other outstanding items: Staff asked the applicant to submit a clearer existing‑conditions plan, a narrative on stormwater and ditching (including level spreaders at outfalls), a trash/solid‑waste note on the plan, a brief traffic memo explaining expected trip counts, and documentation of prior permits and recorded plan history. The applicant said prior deed/recorded‑plan history is complex (multiple earlier recorded lot lines) and offered to supply clearer, color‑coded plans showing current record lots and the proposed configuration.

Next steps: The board continued the application to the Jan. 21 meeting for an updated completeness determination and will review the applicant’s revised materials and the site‑walk observations. The board asked staff to invite the Conservation Commission to the site walk because of wetland and resource buffer questions.

Ending: The Jan. 15 site walk and supplemental documentation will inform whether the private‑road and lot creation package can be found complete and proceed to public hearing.