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Board recommends ZBA consider wetland special exception for proposed subdivision at 269 West River Road
Summary
Engineers told the Planning Board that three residential lots accessed by a shared driveway would require wetland and buffer impacts; after discussion, the board approved forwarding a recommendation to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
The Hooksett Planning Board on June 16 recommended that the Zoning Board of Adjustment consider a wetland special-exception application for a proposed subdivision at 269 West River Road that would create two single-family lots and one duplex on a 5.72‑acre riverside parcel.
Grant Engineering representatives presented the proposal and said the development would access the rear portion of the parcel via a single shared private driveway that crosses an area of previously disturbed wetland. "The project involves 2 new single family lots and 1 duplex lot on a shared private driveway," engineer Kim Harrington said during the presentation.
The applicant described stormwater measures including curbed driveways, two detention basins and treatment swales that would settle large particles and pretreat runoff before discharging to on-site wetlands. Because portions of the site lie in FEMA Zone AE (100‑year floodplain) the design also proposes grading and removal of earlier fill to provide compensatory flood storage and set finished floor elevations two feet above the 100‑year elevation (finished floors proposed at elevation 191 feet where the 100‑year flood elevation is 189 feet).
The project proposes approximately 6,447 square feet of wetland disturbance for the driveway crossing and about 21,061 square feet of wetland-buffer disturbance required for stormwater BMPs and balancing cut-and-fill operations to preserve flood storage.
Board members asked about long-term maintenance and ownership of stormwater facilities and private road maintenance; applicants responded the site would be served by a small homeowners association that would own and maintain the shared driveway and the stormwater/detention features. The applicant said septic systems will be private and outside the 75‑foot wetland buffer, and municipal water will be provided.
Planning Board members also noted the conservation commission raised concerns and asked the applicant to demonstrate alternatives; the applicants said they had met with the commission and that the crossing follows an existing disturbed path and provides hydraulic connectivity rather than creating disturbance in an undisturbed area.
Mike Summers asked whether the project could connect to nearby sewer on Cross Road; the engineers said they were open to the idea but that sewer connection could increase density and complicate the application and that any such option would have to be explored with the property owner and the town’s sewer and administration staff.
After discussion, the Planning Board voted to recommend that the Zoning Board of Adjustment consider the requested wetland special exception and forward the board’s comments. The motion to send the matter to the ZBA was moved by Jared Williams and seconded by David Russell; the vote recorded one opposition and otherwise carried.
