Owner proposes eight‑lot Moulton Avenue subdivision, emphasizes habitat connectivity

Michael Gill and his engineer, Steve Haight of CivilWorks New England, presented a conceptual plan to the Greenland Planning Board on Feb. 19 for an eight‑lot residential subdivision on a 38‑acre parcel off Moulton Avenue.

Under the concept, seven new lots would be created and an existing house would remain on a larger residual lot. Haight said test pits and a wetland delineation have been completed and that no wetland or buffer impacts were identified. He added the proposal avoids development within Eversource easements, which were used only for lot‑area calculations.

Gill described an interest in wildlife management and emphasized that a substantial portion of the parcel would remain undeveloped and connected to conservation land to support habitat connectivity. Board members pressed for confirmation of water supply: they recommended the applicant explore municipal water with the City of Portsmouth. If municipal water is not available, the board said the project would require individual wells and a cistern and asked that the Fire Chief be consulted on fire‑protection access before a formal application is submitted.

On hydrogeologic requirements, the board clarified that a hydrogeologic study is typically required when proposed development presents a risk to neighboring wells. The applicants were told that, given the oversized lots and initial information, the risk to adjacent wells did not appear significant, though State subdivision approval will be required before the project can proceed.

Next steps: applicant to follow up with municipal water status and fire department on water access and return with a formal application that incorporates any additional technical studies required by staff.