Hooksett Zoning Board continues hearing on West River Road wetland crossing to Aug. 12

The Hooksett Zoning Board of Adjustment continued consideration of application Z25-11 for 269 West River Road — a special-exception request under Article 18, Section E for a proposed residential use that would require wetland impacts — to the board's Aug. 12 meeting after the applicant asked to defer and the board directed staff and the applicant to provide additional information.

The project as presented in the packet proposes 6,447 square feet of wetland impacts and 21,061 square feet of wetland buffer impacts. At the meeting, Brent Cole, an engineer with Grama Engineering, told the board that because only three full members were present he believed it was in "the best interest of the project to defer until there's at least 4, hopefully, a full board next time." The board took a formal motion to continue Z25-11 to Aug. 12; the roll call yielded all in favor and the continuation passed.

Why it matters: the application would authorize substantial disturbance to mapped wetlands and their buffers and requires the Zoning Board to determine whether the special-exception criteria in the ordinance are met. Board members and nearby residents raised safety and site-visibility concerns for an on-site inspection and asked the applicant to supply clearer evidence tying the plan to conditions in the field.

What the board requested and what the applicant agreed to provide: the board directed the applicant to stake and flag the limits of the proposed wetland impact and the proposed driveway crossing, provide large clear photographs from the roadway and of the crossing, and submit an updated plan that clearly shows delineations and the stake locations. Cole said the wetland flags were placed about 12 months ago and "may have fallen down," and he agreed to provide a photos/stakes package and an updated plan to board staff; he said he would deliver materials to Dana by July 29 for distribution and expected the board to send an email notice to members around Aug. 1 about informal drive-by inspections prior to the Aug. 12 hearing.

Access and safety: board members emphasized that West River Road (Route 3A) is busy and the site offers limited safe parking. The board said that a full-site visit where members would meet at the property is usually preferable but that, given safety concerns, high-resolution photos and marked stakes should substitute for full attendance by all members. The board discussed using drive-by inspections (members visiting the site on their own time after the materials are circulated) and invited the planning and conservation commissions to the distribution list.

Conservation and alternatives: the board and members of the public referenced a Conservation Commission record asking for alternatives to the proposed driveway crossing. A conservation-commission member, Jay Woodburn, was named in the minutes referenced by speakers; a public commenter, Dave Damon of Westbank Road, said the conservation minutes read ambiguously (he saw a 2-to-2 notation) and asked the board to clarify whether the Conservation Commission formally recommended approval or only made a contingent recommendation asking for alternatives. The applicant said the proposed crossing is the least-impacting option and consistent with New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) expectations but agreed to present alternatives at the Aug. 12 hearing to respond to the Conservation Commission's request.

Public questions and technical review: resident Christopher Bilodeau asked whether the wetlands plan had been reviewed by a third party; board members said that question and other substance would be addressed when the application is formally opened at the next public hearing and that staff would try to clarify outstanding review/approval notes (including Conservation Commission vote details) before Aug. 12.

Administrative items: the board approved minutes from its June 10, 2025 meeting during the same session and noted that at the next meeting it must elect a chair, vice chair and clerk and continue recruiting alternates to fill vacancies.

The board will take public testimony and any formal votes on the merits of Z25-11 at the Aug. 12 meeting; until then the continuation is procedural and intended to allow a fuller board and supplemental materials to inform the board's review.