Neighbors press board over 18‑foot wall and six months of rock work; Planning Board approves steep‑slopes permit with bond

The Planning Board approved a steep‑slopes permit for a single‑family home on Nottingham Road after hearing extensive neighborhood concern about an 18‑foot retaining wall and an anticipated six‑month period of rock hammering.

Architect/engineer Peter Scott said the design responded to neighbors’ concerns by adding stormwater measures, a rain‑collection tank and mixed evergreens for screening. He told the board the town engineer required a pre‑construction protocol and that rock‑work would be limited to weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; he also stated, “We’re not using blasting.”

Neighbors said the expected duration and vibration would be disruptive. One nearby resident asked about septic discharge proximity to an unlined storm drain and requested confirmation from the county health department; the applicant said he has a DOH permit and would switch primary and reserve leach fields if that alleviates neighbor concerns.

The board required a performance bond, engineering conditions listed in the engineer’s memo, and a five‑year replacement guarantee for trees used as mitigation if they die. The board voted to approve the steep‑slopes permit; the recorded vote was three ayes and one nay.

The applicant agreed to coordinate on tree placement with planning staff and neighbors and to notify immediate neighbors about construction timing.