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Hillsborough conservation commission says Planning Board approved Aroma Joe’s and Kelly’s site plans despite HCC wetland and floodplain concerns
Summary
Chair Richard Head told the commission he testified at Planning Board hearings about wetlands and floodplain incursion. The Planning Board granted a buildable-area waiver and approved Aroma Joe’s and a Kelly’s site-plan amendment; the Aroma Joe’s project must still obtain a wetland permit and alter its AOT permit.
The Hillsborough Conservation Commission heard a planning update at its Aug. 13 meeting: Chair Richard Head reported he testified at Planning Board hearings to convey the Commission's concerns about wetlands and floodplain impacts for two commercial site plans.
Why it matters: Both items involve potential impacts to wetlands or floodplain areas that fall under local and state regulatory review and may require permits or permit amendments before work can proceed.
Chair Richard Head told the Commission he had attended the public hearing for the Aroma Joe’s proposal at 219 West Main Street and raised HCC concerns about adjacent wetlands. According to the minutes, the applicant requested a waiver from the buildable-area requirement; the Planning Board granted that waiver and then approved the subdivision and site plan. The minutes note the Aroma Joe’s project still needs to obtain a wetland permit and an amendment to its Alteration of Terrain (AOT) permit.
On Kelly’s site plan on Henniker Street, Head reported he testified about HCC concerns of floodplain incursion and wetlands. The minutes state that a building permit had been issued before Planning Board approval and that the applicant had begun construction; the Planning Board approved a site-plan amendment for the project.
The Commission did not take a formal vote on either Planning Board decision but recorded the updates and concerns for the record. Chair Head said the HCC will continue to monitor permit filings and any required DES actions.
Next steps: The Commission will watch for wetland-permit applications and AOT amendment filings and will follow up if additional technical information or mitigation plans are submitted to DES or the Planning Board.
