Bedford conservation panel approves determination for 12 Hill Road after developer vows to cut impervious surface

Steven Hagan, chair of the Bedford Conservation Commission, convened a remote meeting on Jan. 14, 2026, and the commission considered a Request for Determination of Applicability for 12 Hill Road.

Mr. Douglas Dillon of Goddard Consulting described the proposal to demolish an existing single-family house and build a new 5,500-square-foot single-family home. Dillon said the new plan places the house within the 100-foot buffer zone to a Bordering Vegetated Wetland located across the street and reduces on-site impervious surface from 25.5% to 18%, which he stated meets the requirements of the town bylaw.

The commission deliberated and then took a formal vote. Andreas Uthoff moved and Deb Edinger seconded a motion to issue a positive Determination for reason 2B and a negative Determination for reason 3. The motion passed by roll call vote, 6-0-0. The minutes record the outcome but do not list individual vote names beyond the tally.

The action treats the application as requiring a positive finding under the cited reason and denying the alternate reason 3; the minutes do not elaborate further on permit conditions or additional mitigation beyond the reported reduction in impervious surface. Jeffrey Summers, Conservation Administrator, is listed in the meeting attendance; the minutes do not record additional staff direction or conditions in the transcript provided.

The commission’s approval allows the applicant to proceed with the next steps required under the local review process for work near wetlands; the minutes do not state any required filings, permit numbers, or specific mitigation measures in this excerpt. The commission approved the motion and continued with routine business, later approving minutes of a prior meeting and adjourning.