Conservation commission recommends Planning Board approve shed in wetland buffer at 7 Firefly Circle

The Somersworth Conservation Commission voted to recommend that the Planning Board approve a conditional use permit for a 12-by-16 shed on property owned by Michael J. and Lorraine Bobinski at 7 Firefly Circle.

The shed will sit within the 50- to 100-foot wetland buffer but not inside the 50-foot no-build zone; wetlands on the parcel were delineated by wetland scientists and described at the meeting as associated with a beaver pond. Commission members said the location is on an already landscaped portion of the lot and that the applicant had taken feasible measures to limit impacts to adjacent surface waters and wetland vegetation.

"It's a 12 by 16 shed. It's not being occupied," said Steve Heidt of Veil Works, who represented the applicant, describing the structure as storage for tools and not hazardous materials. Heidt told the commission the shed will be sited in existing landscaped area and that the applicant will expand the grassed area around the shed to reduce runoff.

Commissioners sought clarification about plan orientation, setback lines and site details on the topographic plan. A commissioner noted standard practice for similar requests: "what we've asked on them is for that installation of a drip edge just to cut down flow off of the roof," and the applicant agreed to include a drip/gravel edge around the shed roof and to show that detail to the Planning Board.

Commissioner Rhodes moved that the commission recommend approval of CUP 04-2025 to the Planning Board; the motion was seconded and carried with one abstention. The recommendation to the Planning Board will note the drip/gravel edge as a condition.

The commission record shows the wetland setback dashed line and referenced a professional delineation; commissioners described the anticipated impact as small because the structure occupies land the owner already uses and is not intended for habitation or storage of liquids. The Planning Board will receive the commission's recommendation with the drip-edge condition and the commission's findings about limited wetland impact.

The commission's recommendation is advisory to the Planning Board; any final permit conditions and approval will be determined by that body.