Planning Board approves short-term rental at 15 Sandy Beach Road with septic and safety conditions

The Springfield Planning Board on July 18 approved a Site Plan Review allowing a short-term rental at 15 Sandy Beach Road, imposing multiple conditions intended to protect the shared septic system, public safety and neighboring properties. Chairman Mike Howard read the drafted conditions before the board voted to approve the application.

The board recorded conditions imposed by the Zoning Board of Adjustment and additional measures added by the Planning Board. The ZBA limits include that “occupancy is limited to no more than four guests,” vehicular parking be limited to two vehicles, campers or RVs are prohibited, and quiet hours must be observed between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The board also required that “initially, and at each change of management, the owner successfully completes the Life Safety Checklist through the Springfield Fire Department, including review of the location of the fire pit.”

To comply with state wastewater permit requirements, the board added a seasonal restriction tied to New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) approval and Env-Wq 1004.24: the property may not be rented, occupied by owners, or otherwise used in January, February and March, with a required continuous three-month rest period annually. The board noted the listed months may be changed via a Site Plan Amendment but that a three-month minimum annual rest period is required by the state permit.

The applicant must provide a dated and signed septic inspection report from 2023 or 2024 prepared by a licensed septic system inspector. The Planning Board directed that the approved septic-plan notes (Drawing SS-1, “Amended Septic System Construction Plans for 5 Lots on Sandy Beach Road,” Revision 3, prepared by Stephen C. Pro and bearing NHDES approval number eCA2016081906) be added to the site plan. Those notes include a Norweco inspection schedule (inspection by an approved Norweco distributor no later than six months after installation, a second at 12 months and annual inspections thereafter), guidance on pumping frequency, and prohibitions on grease, garbage disposals and deep-rooted plantings in the leachfield.

Other conditions finalised by the board require a physical barrier (guard rail, curb or similar) between the driveway and the buried septic tank and pump chamber; exterior lights to be downward-facing and on motion sensors to minimize light trespass; parking limited to the existing driveway as shown on the submitted survey; installation of a 4-foot-high fence extension toward the lakeshore to prevent trespass; and relocation of the existing fire pit to the location shown on the approved plan.

Dan Saulnier moved to approve the Site Plan with the listed conditions; Ken Jacques seconded. By voice vote, all Board members present voted in favor. Present board members recorded in the meeting were Chairman Mike Howard, Jen Roberts, Ken Jacques, Dan Saulnier, John Trachy and Steve Dzubak (sitting for Poul Heilmann); Darrin Patten was absent.

The board’s action ties local approval to state wastewater permit conditions and sets inspection and maintenance responsibilities intended to protect the shared septic system. The Planning Board’s approval is subject to the listed conditions; any change to the seasonal occupancy restriction or other required plan notes must follow the town’s Site Plan Amendment procedures and any state permit requirements.