The Hudson Conservation Commission gave a seven lot subdivision and road extension proposal on LeClaire Drive its first formal recommendation at the May 11 meeting, following a site walk of the property.
“I hope the site walk was very informative in showing how the buffer impacts already existed, probably before the 1940s with a wetland crossing,” said Project Engineer Sam Foisie of Meridian Land Services. “With this construction project, more of the buffer will be established than we’re impacting it.”
As with similar projects, the Commission focused on how the proposed 800foot road extension and new housing would affect the surrounding watershed. Even with revisions, the plan would create long-term impacts on 13,155 square feet of wetland buffer. According to the applicant, 27,816 square feet of buffer area would be restored to a natural state using a native seed mix.
“I think this one is as simple as it gets,” Foisie said. “Overall, this is a net benefit. You have probably an acre of wetland conservation area that is now all lawn, and we’re going to put over half an acre of that buffer back.”
Commissioners generally supported the plan after the site walk but sought clarification on several details.
“What is the name of your seed mix?” asked Secretary Christopher Cameron. “I just want to make sure I get it all written down.” Foisie confirmed the use of a standard New England Conservation/ Wildlife Mix commonly used in Southern New Hampshire.
Vice-Chair Ken Dickinson asked whether the updated plans changed the roadway layout. “You’ve just added detail to the plans that affected the square footages, but the overall roadway layout remains the same, is that correct? The basin design remains the same?”
Foisie confirmed that the layout was unchanged and that revisions were aimed at minimizing wetland impacts.
Sloping was another point of discussion, though Civil Engineer Don Kirkland reminded the Commission that the town’s Engineering Department had already approved a 3to1 slope. “There is an engineer of record, and I think we should leave sloping to either him, or at least to the Planning Board,” he said.
Satisfied with drainage and piping details, the Commission voted overwhelmingly to recommend the LeClaire Drive application to the Planning Board, with stipulations including erosion controls, limits on stockpiling construction materials, buffer-zone markers, and restrictions on construction vehicle parking.
Dickinson cautioned that any design changes affecting wetlands or buffer areas would require the applicant to resubmit the proposal.