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Three‑lot West River Road subdivision would disturb 6,447 sq ft of wetland; commission urges alternatives to reduce buffer impacts
Summary
Granite Engineering told the Hooksett Conservation Commission that a three‑lot subdivision on West River Road would require about 6,447 square feet of wetland disturbance and 21,061 square feet of wetland‑buffer work; commissioners voted to advise the ZBA that the special exception may proceed only after the applicant demonstrates alternatives that reduce impacts.
Granite Engineering representatives Joseph Piccurelli and Kim Harrington presented a three‑lot subdivision proposal for 4269 West River Road. The 5.72‑acre site is undeveloped, with forested and wetland areas. The applicant said the proposed private driveway alignment would disturb approximately 6,447 square feet of wetlands and about 21,061 square feet of wetland buffer in order to serve two single‑family lots and one duplex lot.
Kim Harrington described stormwater design that includes curbed driveways, detention basins, and treatment swales; because the lower portions of the site abut wetlands, some stormwater best management practices (BMPs) will be located within wetland buffers to provide necessary peak‑flow attenuation and water‑quality treatment. The engineers plan a 36‑inch HDPE culvert sized for the 100‑year storm to hydraulically reconnect two previously disconnected wetland pockets.
Commissioners questioned whether alternative driveway locations and grading could reduce wetland and buffer impacts. One commissioner suggested routing construction further left on the parcel to reduce the amount of wetland divided by the driveway; engineering staff responded that they had evaluated options and judged the proposed alignment preferable because it keeps the wetlands more hydraulically connected and uses previously disturbed upland where possible.
After discussion, the commission voted to forward a recommendation to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for the special exception application but amended the recommendation to request the applicant pursue additional alternatives that reduce wetland and buffer impacts (driveway re‑grading or relocation) and to provide further engineering detail in the DES application. The commission also noted that DES will review the wetland permit for avoidance and mitigation when the applicant files.
Key figures and technical points: the applicant reported 6,447 sq ft of wetland impact and 21,061 sq ft of wetland buffer impact; stormwater BMPs are proposed in the buffer due to low site elevations; proposed culvert is a 36‑inch HDPE pipe sized for a 100‑year storm.
Votes and action: The commission recorded a motion to send a recommendation to the ZBA that the special exception proceed but with the explicit request that the applicant explore and document alternatives that reduce wetland and buffer disturbance; the motion passed on a recorded hand count.
