Project Engineer Sam Foise of Meridian Land Services returned to the Hudson Planning Board on May 27 seeking final approval for a proposed seven-lot subdivision and extension of Le Clair Drive. The project has undergone months of review, including staff feedback, a site walk, and a third-party engineering analysis. Foise told the Board that the latest plans reflect all requested revisions and incorporate recommendations from multiple town departments.
“With the approval of this application, much of the wetland buffer area already on the property will go back to a natural state with the implementation of placards situated every 50 feet,” Foise said. “This was a Conservation Commission recommendation, and this area will be seeded with a local seed mix.” He added that the sewer design for the project’s low pressure water main had been completed using a “worst case scenario” approach, assuming duplexes on several lots to ensure the system could handle maximum potential flows. One existing home on the property will remain on a septic system but will have the option to connect to sewer in the future.
Foise outlined several additional updates, including confirmation of applicable subdivision regulations, a drainage easement, a revised stormwater collection system using reinforced concrete piping, a full stormwater analysis, pump station designs for each unit, groundwater recharge calculations, and measurements of a preexisting culvert. He emphasized that the engineering was designed to accommodate either single-family or two-family homes. “We don’t yet know what’s going to be constructed out here,” he said. “We’ll leave that up to the builder.”
The applicant requested four waivers, the most significant involving roadway geometry. Foise explained that the curved road layout was necessary to cross a wetland at a perpendicular angle, minimizing environmental impact. Additional waivers were requested for sidewalk requirements, sloping and drainage standards, and phased construction rules typically triggered by developments with more than five lots.
Several abutters attended the meeting to express concerns about construction impacts and long term effects on the neighborhood. Ron Kauffman, whose home is the only driveway on the existing portion of Le Clair Drive, asked how long the road would be disrupted and whether it would be restored properly. “We’re not trying to make it difficult for anybody,” he said. “Just looking to protect what we have.” He also raised concerns about traffic flow and potential encroachment on nearby yards.
Foise pointed to the project’s estimated one-to-two-year construction timeline but acknowledged that delays are always possible. Board Chair Tim Malley echoed that uncertainty. “If the economy fails or something happens and it goes longer, he’s not guaranteeing it’s going to be done in a year and a half or two years,” Malley said.
Alternate Board member Todd Boyer pressed for more detail on how the developer planned to protect residents during construction. “What’s going to be the protocol to try and minimize dust and debris from impeding the neighbors’ lives while this is taking place?” he asked.
Developer Mike Lacasse responded that an erosion control plan was in place and that his priority was to get a base layer of asphalt down as quickly as possible. “The houses are all set back, and with the amount of traffic going through, there is minimal,” Lacasse said. “My goal and my partner’s goal is to get approval tonight, break ground tomorrow, and hopefully have the road 90% done by late June to the end of July. By the end of July, we should have a base coat on the ground.” He also confirmed that a water truck would be onsite to control dust.
After further discussion, the Planning Board voted to approve the project along with all four requested waivers, clearing the way for construction to begin.
