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Neighbors press board over flooding, wetlands and cemetery risks for steep‑slopes proposal at Nottingham Road
Summary
At a continued steep‑slopes hearing for a proposed single‑family home at 7 Nottingham Road, neighbors and technical commenters raised concerns about existing backyard flooding, an unlined storm drain near proposed septic fields, risks to the Buckabe family burial ground, and the effects of rock ripping; the applicant said he reduced visual impacts and will coordinate with the town engineer on mitigation.
The board heard extensive public comment on a steep‑slopes application for a single‑family home proposed at 7 Nottingham Road, where neighbors warned the site’s topography and existing drainage make nearby basements vulnerable to flooding and flagged potential impacts to a nearby family burial ground.
Architect Peter Scott presented the project as a reduced‑impact design: the house footprint was relocated and stepped into the hillside, retaining walls and tree plantings were revised to reduce visual intrusion, and the applicant proposed to locate the septic primary and reserve systems where percolation is better. Mr. Scott said stormwater calculations showed only a small increase in runoff for even a 100‑year event and that the applicant planned to limit rock ripping to roughly six weeks with proposed weekday hours and a restricted Saturday schedule.
Several nearby residents disputed the applicant’s assessment. Anna Rivero, who lives downstream on Robin Hood Road, said the neighborhood has a long history of basement flooding, noted an open/unlined culvert and argued additional stormwater directed toward that system could worsen local flooding. Other neighbors provided topographic maps and questioned the SWIP’s assertion that no wetlands exist within 200 feet of the property perimeter; they urged a closer wetlands flagging and review. Multiple commenters raised concern about proximity to the Buckabe family burial ground and asked the board to ensure excavation and blasting protocols protect graves.
A professional environmental engineer in the audience flagged inconsistencies between the SWIP narrative and field conditions, noting an unlined storm drain that parallels the property boundary and close runoff paths to adjacent yards and existing septic systems. He urged the town engineer to verify discharge points and drainage flows.
The applicant said he would revise materials and coordinate directly with the town engineer (Will) to address inverts, catch basin capacity and the SWIP. The board did not take a final vote and directed staff and the town engineer to review the technical concerns raised by neighbors before returning the application for further consideration.
