Goffstown board grants wetland-buffer relief for Black Brook Road addition with conservation conditions

The Goffstown Planning Board voted to grant relief from the outer 50-foot wetland buffer to allow a 224-square-foot conversion of an existing deck to living space and the addition of a 312-square-foot screened porch and deck at a property on Black Brook Road.

Designer Bob Stewart of Arceus Designs told the board he and the contractor have included multiple conservation measures on the plan: chain-link construction fencing to enclose the work area, drip-line trenches (gutter dry wells) to treat first-flush runoff and prevent exposed sandy soils that could attract local turtle species, and site-stabilization measures to limit exposed soil during work. "We will keep the chain-link fence in place through construction," Stewart said when asked about protecting the habitat and handing contractor responsibilities.

Conservation staff recommended approval with specific conditions; the board’s motion to grant relief included required plan notes specifying Blanding's-turtle protective measures, a detail for gutter/drip-line treatment to accept the roof runoff, the requirement that the chain-link fence remain in place throughout construction, and standard staff conditions (with two standard items removed per the board’s direction). Plans must include professional stamps and digital files before final sign-off.

After staff read the findings of fact and listed conditions for approval, the board voted in favor and the motion passed. Staff will include the agreed-upon notes on the final plan and confirm the construction-protection details are present before issuing formal approval.