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Planning board grants performance‑zone waivers; owner clears site‑plan items for hyperbaric chamber business at 1604 Hooksett Road
Summary
The Planning Board granted multiple performance‑zone waivers and approved conditions for a proposed hyperbaric/diving‑training business at 1604 Hooksett Road after accepting jurisdiction and determining no regional impact. The board specified several standard conditions and required final plan materials and fire‑department confirmation.
The Hooksett Planning Board granted a request for performance‑zone waivers and approved conditions for an application at 1604 Hooksett Road to permit a new commercial use: a hyperbaric/diving chamber and associated fitness/service operation.
Applicant John Merck spoke to the board about converting space for a diving/hyperbaric business. He described the facility and safety systems: the chamber will be operated with compressed air (no enriched oxygen), features required safety relief valves, intercoms and a GoPro video feed for monitoring, and includes a ramped ADA path to permit wheelchair access to the chamber entry. Fire‑safety additions described in testimony included a rated wall assembly (additional gypsum) to increase the separation and an emergency‑relief valve system per the fire inspector’s recommendations.
Board action: After accepting jurisdiction and finding no regional impact, the board voted to grant the requested performance‑zone waivers (citing town zoning Article 10 provisions discussed in staff materials) and approved the application subject to the usual conditions subsequent and the applicant providing the items listed in the planning board’s standard condition list (final stamped plans, landscaping details where applicable, confirmation of fire‑safety measures). The applicant was advised to work with staff on any outstanding inspection escrows and to provide the town with final, stamped plans.
Why it matters: The use is novel to the town’s planning record but was presented with technical detail about safety and accessibility. The board focused its review on site plan completeness, fire‑safety mitigation and whether the proposed business fits performance‑zone expectations. Staff recommended granting waivers where the development did not intensify the site, similar to prior performance‑zone waivers the board has granted on comparable properties.
Formal votes: The board accepted jurisdiction and then granted the noted waivers and approval conditions on roll call; the votes were recorded as in the meeting minutes and passed on majority/unanimous voice votes among members present.
Next steps: The applicant must deliver final stamped plans and documentation of fire‑department sign‑off and satisfy condition‑subsequent items before the chair signs final approval.
