Hooksett Planning Board approves lot-line adjustment for Scott Thompson on Smith Road

The Hooksett Planning Board voted unanimously Nov. 3 to approve a lot-line adjustment that shifts acreage between two adjoining family-owned parcels on Smith Road owned by Scott Thompson.

The plan, presented by Scott Thompson and his representative Joe Wicker, moves the lot line to enlarge the smaller parcel and reduce the larger parcel slightly; Thompson said the change is largely an estate-planning cleanup and "makes it simpler and cleaner," and that the proposal would allow a separate curb cut to be reestablished if a lot is sold. "I'm Joe Wicker, and I'm here tonight on behalf of Scott Thompson," Wicker told the board during the presentation.

The board first accepted jurisdiction of the application and then deliberated whether the proposal had regional impact under RSA 36:56. After discussion the board voted that the proposal "does have potential for regional impact." The board then adopted findings of fact that the plan meets the Town of Hooksett development regulations, noting dimensional requirements were met or remain preexisting nonconforming, and approved the lot-line adjustment under RSA 676:4 with standard permitting conditions and time limits for fulfilling those conditions.

Jared Williams moved to approve the plan after review and deliberation; Robert Duham seconded. The recorded vote was in the affirmative. The approval included boilerplate conditions requiring applicable state and local permits where work occurs.

Neighbors asked questions about an older, lightly used driveway and the distance from a pool to the lot line; Wicker said the proposed line shifts the lot line away from the pool and that the applicant has discussed the driveway with the road agent and does not anticipate issues with a reestablished entrance. An abutter identifying himself as M. LeBlech of 1227 Smith Road spoke at the meeting and asked for clarification on driveway setbacks; board members noted that older curb cuts can be grandfathered but could require new approvals if relocated.

The board attached standard conditions and permit language to the approval and recorded the vote in the meeting minutes.