Planning board approves lot-line adjustment at 429 and 435 Joppa Hill Road

The Bedford Planning Board on Sept. 8 approved a lot-line adjustment that shifts 1.601 acres from Lot 42311 to Lot 42312 at 429 and 435 Joppa Hill Road, granting the application final approval with conditions.

Kevin McClure of Meridian Land Services, representing applicant Matthew Halverson, told the board the transfer will leave Lot 42312 at about 6.71 acres and Lot 42311 at about 1.62 acres and requested a waiver from the high‑intensity soil survey requirement because a recent survey is already on file. “It was done, and it's on file in the town,” McClure said.

Board members pressed for practical clarifications about which lot had recent construction; McClure said the improvements are on Lot 42312 and noted that any work done since the prior survey will be shown on the final plan. Planner Colleen Olson and Planning Director Becky Hebert recommended adding a well‑radius easement to ensure water rights and access are clear. “I’d recommend adding a condition to the well easement,” Hebert told the board.

Priscilla Malcolm moved to grant the waiver from the soil‑survey requirement; the board approved the waiver and later voted to grant final approval of the lot‑line adjustment with the four staff conditions in the staff memo plus an additional condition requiring the applicant to obtain a well‑radius easement for Parcel A prior to plan signature.

The board’s decision includes the staff‑listed conditions to be satisfied within one year and prior to plan signature. The applicant indicated he will provide final plan revisions showing any site improvements done since the last survey and the required corner monuments.

The board returned the application to final approval after the vote with unanimous support. The board did not identify any outstanding appeals or other pending steps; the approval is contingent on the listed conditions being fulfilled.