Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Site Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Goffstown planning board finds duplex site plan complete, defers final vote pending historic review
Summary
The Goffstown Planning Board voted to accept application 2962 (a proposed duplex) as complete and discussed three waiver requests — drainage study acceptance, a landscaping-plan waiver, and a fire-truck-turnaround waiver — then continued final action pending Historic District Commission input and outstanding technical comments.
The Goffstown Planning Board on record accepted application 2962 for review but postponed final approval so the Historic District Commission can weigh in and staff can complete outstanding technical checks.
The applicant, represented by engineer Mike Thornburg of Marine Engineers and Surveyors, presented architectural plans and a stormwater study that currently covers the 25-year storm. "The drainage study has been completed, and the stormwater infiltration basins have been designed to meet the 50- and 100-year storms," Thornburg said, adding he would submit the final drainage files to staff once the engineer’s family matter was resolved.
Board members voted unanimously to find the application complete and to allow discussion of three requested waivers: acceptance of the drainage submittal for completeness, relief from the full landscaping-plan submission, and a waiver of the onsite fire-truck turnaround requirement. Staff recorded outstanding technical items: the drainage report must be expanded to include 50- and 100-year storms and final files; the owner-of-record on one document was incorrect; and the fire department’s comments specify a 16-foot minimum driveway width (20-foot clear access), minimum turning radii and an approved turnaround suitable for apparatus.
Fire-department guidance was cited by staff during the discussion: "An approved turnaround is required at the end of the driveway," staff said, noting driveway surface and turning radii requirements and recommending the board obtain an explicit fire-department position on any waiver request.
Members pressed the applicant for at least a limited landscaping commitment, such as street trees or low plantings visible from the road, even if the full landscaping-plan submittal is waived; others said the existing mature perimeter planting could be credited but cautioned that stormwater basins will reduce available planting area. Board members also reminded the applicant to coordinate sewer and water capacity reviews and any required approvals with the respective commissions.
Because the property sits in the RSP-1 (residential small business) zoning district, the board noted the application must meet design standards intended to preserve village-scale character and that the Historic District Commission is expected to comment on compatibility of scale and visual effect.
The board moved to continue the application to August 13 to allow Historic District Commission review and for staff to collect final drainage and fire-department comments; the motion passed by voice vote. The board clarified it could review and discuss waiver requests but would not take final site-plan action until the required review period elapsed.
