Keene planning board approves 18‑unit cottage court at 454 Elm Street with limited wetland‑buffer impact

The Keene Planning, Licenses and Development Committee on a 6–1 vote approved plans for an 18‑unit cottage court at 454 Elm Street, allowing a limited impact of 1,435 square feet within the 30‑foot wetland buffer to accommodate stormwater management improvements.

John Noonan of Fieldstone Land Consultants, the applicant’s consultant, told the board the 2.3‑acre proposal would create 18 detached single‑family condominium units governed by an owners’ association that would maintain the private road and stormwater systems. The application seeks only a site‑specific impact of the buffer related to a level spreader and stormwater outlets; Noonan said the remainder of the 30‑foot buffer would remain intact and that the project adds native plantings, silky dogwoods and a Northeast pollinator seed mix as mitigation.

“Ultimately, we’re just looking for approval of the impact area only — 1,435 square feet — which is for stormwater management,” Noonan said.

Staff and the city engineer reviewed stormwater plans and concluded the post‑development flows for standard return intervals would be controlled with on‑site detention, outlet orifices and a level spreader to avoid channelized flow to the wetland. Staff told the board the city…