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Conservation Commission backs letter supporting parking expansion with oversized storm chambers at 896 Goughs Falls Road
Summary
The Manchester Conservation Commission recommended sending a letter of support to the Planning Board for a proposal to expand parking at 896 Goughs Falls Road and install underground chamber systems sized for a 100‑year storm; commissioners pressed staff and the applicant on buffer protection and runoff controls.
Paul Chisholm, an engineer with Keach Nordsch/Keach Nordstrom Associates, briefed the Manchester Conservation Commission on Nov. 25 on a proposal to expand an existing parking area at 896 Goughs Falls Road (tax map 871, lot 4) and to install underground chamber infiltration systems to manage stormwater.
Chisholm said the owner, associated with Tully Automotive Group, acquired a sliver of right-of-way along Goughs Falls Road and proposes additional front-of-building parking similar to work done in 2018 and 2022. He told commissioners the proposed underground chamber system is sized to handle a 100-year storm event and that prior soil testing showed soils conducive to infiltration. Chisholm also said a shoreland permit from NHES had been applied for and approved in prior reviews.
Commissioners asked technical questions about where runoff would infiltrate, the relative elevation of the site to Cohass Brook, and the size of additional impervious surface. Chisholm estimated the project would add on the order of 18,000–20,000 square feet of impervious surface and described a roughly 35-foot vegetated buffer to the property line in the front. He emphasized that the design aims to avoid off-site flow down the slope toward Cohass Brook.
Commissioner John Milling cautioned that relying on a 100‑year standard may be insufficient in light of changing storm patterns; he urged the Commission to “look ahead” when recommending approvals. After discussion, Milling moved that the Commission send a letter of support to the Planning Board; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote (six recorded “Aye” responses). Chisholm said the applicant expected to submit final application materials within a day or two.
What happens next: The Commission’s letter will be forwarded to the Planning Board with the project application. The Planning Board will consider the full site plan submission, at which point the Commission’s recommendation will be part of the formal record.
