Cedarcroft Farm developers offer extra conservation land as Bartlett board pauses 33‑unit PUD review

On Jan. 5, 2026, the Town of Bartlett Planning Board continued review of Cedarcroft Farm LLC's proposed 33‑unit planned unit development after developers said they were revising a turning‑lane design and would offer additional conservation land to address state concerns.

The update was delivered by Ammonoosuc Survey's Andy Fisher, who told the board the original turning‑lane design would have required roadway widening and limited off‑right‑of‑way impacts that might trigger easements. Fisher said the design team is working with the state and the project's engineer (HEB) to reduce or eliminate impacts beyond the town right‑of‑way. "We are now taking the time to see if we can either reduce or eliminate any work that needs to be done outside the right of way in correlation with the state," Fisher said.

Why it matters: the Planning Board emphasized that final subdivision approval depends on state approvals, including compliance with the town's water‑system and subdivision standards. Board members and applicants discussed the sequence of approvals: the developers need conservation‑easement acceptance from the Board of Selectmen and wetlands signoffs from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) before state subdivision approval will issue. Fisher and board members noted DES review timelines and that the Army Corps of Engineers sometimes becomes involved when a disturbance threshold is exceeded.

Board member Burr Phillips (speaking as a consultant) reminded the group that the town requires posting of bonds before roadway work begins and that DES normally provides an initial 30‑day review followed by coordination with the Army Corps where applicable. Fisher and applicants said they expected to add more conservation land as a mitigation measure and will seek the Selectmen's faster signoff; Jim Wilson, speaking for nearby homeowners, said the homeowners association supports additional conservation land to preserve trails.

The board voted unanimously to continue the Cedarcroft application to the Feb. 2, 2026 meeting so the applicant team can refine the turning‑lane design, secure any necessary Selectmen documentation for the conservation easement, and respond to DES feedback.

Next steps: the applicant will return with revised plans and any state agency determinations; the board reiterated it will not issue building permits until the town's water‑system and subdivision requirements are satisfied.