Planning Board approves 4‑lot Locke Road subdivision amid neighbor concerns about stormwater and scale

The Hampton Planning Board granted conditional approval July 1 to a four‑lot subdivision at 24 Locke Road, subject to recording of HOA documents, stormwater operations and maintenance (O&M) requirements, and a set of landscape and deed restrictions.

Civilworks New England project engineer Michael Menary told the board the plan divides the existing ~2.5‑acre parcel into four lots (three new single‑family lots plus one existing house lot), and relies on retention and bioretention ponds sized to accommodate 100‑year storms. Menary said infiltration testing shows “very good” sandy soils and described filtration layers designed to remove nitrogen, phosphorus and suspended solids; annual inspections and an O&M manual will govern maintenance. CMA Engineers will perform on‑site construction inspections at the applicant’s expense, and as‑builts for each home will be required before Certificates of Occupancy are issued.

Board members required that deer‑resistant evergreen screening extend to Locke Road and along abutting Edgewood Drive properties, that the Blue Spruce be replaced with a hardier evergreen, and that restrictive language about impervious coverage and stormwater maintenance be included in recorded deeds and HOA documents. Town Planner Jason Bachand said the HOA covenants and any easements must be reviewed by the Town’s legal counsel prior to final sign‑off.

Several abutters urged the board to tighten conditions. Linda O’Connor of 22 Locke Road asked whether a previously discussed 20‑foot voluntary setback would be maintained and requested an extended evergreen buffer; Menary said the developer agreed to the voluntary setback and would consider expanding the buffer. David Kelly of 46 Edgewood Drive raised drainage and trash concerns; Bachand said the HOA language would address trash pickup logistics. Frank Healey of 42 Edgewood Drive challenged the stormwater assumptions, saying the soil “does not penetrate the ground as well as Civilworks says it does” and that the project “is too large for the area.” Nanci Jo Wolter said she felt “petrified of this project” and sought clearer sightlines of the lot that will abut her property.

Board members noted the Heritage Commission documented an on‑site decorative barn; Menary said the applicant will try to relocate it and, if relocation is not possible, will dismantle and repurpose it. The Board confirmed the new subdivision road will be a private way per DPW Deputy Director Joseph Lynch’s June 11 memo. The Board approved the waiver requests (streetlights and landscape plan, street design variances, and allowing stormwater BMPs on multiple lots) and voted 7‑0‑0 to grant the Conditional Use Permit and Subdivision (Job 25207) subject to conditions in the Town Planner’s amended memorandum dated July 1, 2026.

Next steps include finalizing and recording HOA covenants and easements at the Rockingham Registry of Deeds, legal review of HOA documents by the Town, CMA on‑site inspections during construction, and submission of as‑built plans before issuance of final Certificates of Occupancy.