The May 28 meeting of Hudson Planning Board came together to hear a well-attended presentation from Will Hess of Hess Engineering for a project known as the Taybre Drive Subdivision located near the intersection of 9 Alvirne Drive and 190R Derry Road.
“The proposed subdivision includes the addition of approximately 1,100 linear feet of roadway. This total includes a curved cul-de-sac at the terminus of the extension,” explained Hess. “The layout has been designed to meet proper roadway standards and meet proper circulation with the subdivision.”
He also outlined a plan to construct nine single-family homes with utility connections and a stormwater management system in compliance with town regulations.
Many abutters objected to the plan.
“We’re all deeply concerned about the lasting impact of this development. My home and several of my neighbor’s homes all sit downhill,” said resident Alexandra Ange. “The plan also includes stormwater basins, but there’s no guarantee these will work for five or ten years. What’s the long-term plan?”
She noted that her house relied on well water, making the possibility of contamination a serious problem.
“Beyond that, there are some environmental costs. We have quite a bit of wildlife there. It is a well-developed, long-term ecosystem. It’s not just cutting down a few trees,” claimed Ange. “I’m just concerned about nature. Pave over the ecosystem, and it’s gone forever.”
Resident Barbara Taylor agreed with those concerns, adding that a full third-party review was still underway.
“How can a decision be made tonight on the project if we don’t have the environmental assessment?” she asked. “Right now, I’ve got three sumps in my basement that run 24 hours a day pumping water out. I had to install $20,000 in floor drain so that I wouldn’t have to keep ripping up flooring to accommodate the water I have now. If this makes things worse, I don’t have another $20,000.”
Residents Tom Elliot, Richard Watson, Katherine Courtney, and others expressed similar opinions, all highlighting the water and drainage problems.
“When the neighborhood was built in the 60s and 70s, it was a swamp,” said Elliot. “We cannot have another drop of water in our neighborhood; it can’t happen.”
By contrast, resident and abutter Stephan Pease supported the proposal.
“We’re facing a clear housing shortage for single-family homes,” he said. “If you want to attract and retain young families, working professionals, and long-term residents, there has to be housing that meets their needs.”
He questioned whether extra housing would impact the water table, calling it a question for the engineers.
Hess addressed the water concerns, conceding that it was “a wet site,” saying the design accounted for potential flooding.
“The water will be going from the north part of the site down to catch basins in the road, and then the house lots on the southern side of the road will hit a swale. It’ll end up in a culvert. The water is all getting redirected into the detention infiltration pond,” he explained. “We have to meet very strict regulations to get this approved.”
He confirmed a biologist would walk through the site before sending a report to state regulators and agreed to a site walk with the Conservation Commission and Planning Board. No vote on the subdivision was expected before undergoing a third-party review. Hess indicated that he was in contact with NH Fish and Game, along with the Department of Environmental Services.
“Would you be willing to undertake, as a stipulation, a hydrological study?” asked Board member Jordan Ulery. “Something that’s legible and readable?”
Hess promised to include a full study for the Board and residents.
“The key area we want to see in this is how much water is occurring after each storm,” said Board member Victor Oates. “I need to see how much water you see with each storm, not the 50-or-100-year storms.”
