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Home / Meetings /September 14, 2026
Planning Board · September 14, 2026 · 7:00 PM

Planning Board

Planning Board approved a detached ADU (site plan and special permit) at 12 Oak Street and approved the definitive subdivision for 2-4 Elmwood Street (subject to recording a historic preservation restriction). The board continued major ongoing projects including Rocky Hill and continued the Lake Attitash Road special permit to October 14.

occurred Agenda PDF Video recording AI Summary
Key decisions
Approve site plan and special permit for a detached ADU at 12 Oak Street with the five staff conditions in the 9/14/2026 memo (including a setback waiver and required revised drawings prior to building permit).
Approved unanimously 7-0
Approve the definitive subdivision plan for 2-4 Elmwood Street subject to the four staff conditions in the 9/14/2026 memo (including recording a historic preservation restriction and required covenant).
Approved unanimously 7-0
AI SUMMARY · DRAWN FROM THE TRANSCRIPT

The Planning Board meeting covered several public hearings and project updates. The board approved a site plan and special permit for a detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 12 Oak Street, adopting the five staff conditions in the 9/14/2026 memo (including a waiver to allow a 3-foot side yard pinch point, one window near the property line, screening/landscaping, parking layout, and requirement to submit revised drawings before a building permit). The applicant confirmed fencing and minimal exterior lighting; staff and the board clarified parking and setback details prior to final permitting.

The board also approved a definitive subdivision for 2-4 Elmwood Street, conditioned on recording a historic preservation restriction and executing the required subdivision covenant (four staff conditions in the 9/14/2026 memo). The applicant explained the plan to preserve the historic duplex while creating a separate lot for a new single-family residence; discussion addressed frontage waivers, documentation of existing vs. proposed habitable area, and ensuring the restriction and decision are evident in conveyance documents. Several other matters were continued: the Rocky Hill development (both site plan and definitive subdivision) was continued to 9/28 with board members asked to review peer-review memos for outstanding items; the Lake Attitash Road special permit (4 Lake Attitash) was presented with detailed discussion about reducing impervious area, parking layout, stormwater infiltration, and right-of-way/paving standards but was continued to the October 14 meeting to allow the applicant to provide additional plans and to route the project through TRC/design review. Public comment was minimal; the Lake Attitash discussion raised neighborhood concerns about parking access, permeable pavers in the public right-of-way, stormwater management, and the need for more detailed architectural and engineered plans.

Generated by an LLM. Verify against the official record before quoting.

Points of interest

Presentation and approval of ADU site plan with staff conditions (12 Oak Street)
Presentation and approval of ADU site plan with staff conditions (12 Oak Street)
PRESENTATION
0:05:51–0:17:08 ▶ Watch
The owner/applicant presented final revisions for a detached ADU replacing an existing garage; staff summarized five recommended conditions (design details, setbacks, screening, parking configuration, and required revised drawings) and the board discussed fencing, exterior lighting, and the requested setback waiver before unanimously approving the site plan and special permit with the staff conditions.
Detailed board review of peer-review findings and continuance of large development (Rocky Hill)
Detailed board review of peer-review findings and continuance of large development (Rocky Hill)
DEBATE
0:17:45–0:30:31 ▶ Watch
Board and staff discussed procedural next steps for a large subdivision and site plan application, focusing on a peer-review memo with several unresolved items (traffic, stormwater, parking, lighting, open space/trails) and whether further information or conditions are needed; the board agreed to review the peer-review responses and continued both hearings to the September 28 meeting.
Detailed site and stormwater discussion for Water Resource Protection special permit (Lake Attitash Road)
Detailed site and stormwater discussion for Water Resource Protection special permit (Lake Attitash Road)
PRESENTATION
0:31:13–1:16:07 ▶ Watch
Applicant gave a detailed presentation of a proposal to demolish and rebuild a smaller house closer to the road, including impervious-area calculations, proposed parking with permeable pavers, roof runoff infiltration, and setback changes; the board and staff probed livable floor area, driveway/parking logistics, stormwater details, and right-of-way paving standards, and then continued the special permit hearing to October 14 for further review and design/technical committee input.

Motions & votes

AI-generated summaries of each motion's substance — not the official record. Verify against the meeting minutes or video before quoting.

@ 0:01:29 · APPROVE
Approved 6-0 (1 abstention)
Approve the meeting minutes for April 13, 2026 as submitted.
MOVED · TOM · SECONDED · DAVID
UNDER · Minutes · 4-13-26
@ 0:01:59 · APPROVE
Approved 6-0 (1 abstention)
Approve the meeting minutes for April 27, 2026 as submitted.
MOVED · TOM · SECONDED · DAVID
UNDER · Minutes · 4-27-26
@ 0:03:12 · APPROVE
Approved 5-0 (2 abstentions)
Approve the meeting minutes for July 27, 2026 as submitted.
MOVED · TRACY · SECONDED · ERIC
UNDER · Minutes · 7-27-26
@ 0:03:52 · APPROVE
Approved 6-0 (1 abstention)
Approve the meeting minutes for August 10, 2026 as submitted.
MOVED · DAVID · SECONDED · TOM
UNDER · Minutes · 8-10-26
@ 0:04:52 · CONTINUE
Approved 7-0
Continue the continued public hearing for 29 Lake Attitash Road to October 14, 2026.
MOVED · KEITH · SECONDED · TOM
@ 0:05:32 · CONTINUE
Approved 7-0
Continue the continued public hearing for 3 Old Merrill Street to October 14, 2026.
MOVED · KEITH · SECONDED · ERIC
@ 0:15:50 · APPROVE
Approved 7-0
Approve the Site Plan and Special Permit for 12 Oak Street (detached ADU) subject to the five staff conditions in the 9/14/2026 memo.
MOVED · KEITH · SECONDED · TRACY
@ 0:17:14 · OTHER
Approved 7-0
Close the public hearing for 12 Oak Street.
MOVED · KEITH · SECONDED · TRACY
@ 0:18:49 · CONTINUE
Approved 7-0
Continue both the Site Plan and Definitive Subdivision hearings for the Rocky Hill development (Rocky Hill Elm Street parcels) to September 28, 2026.
MOVED · TOM · SECONDED · JOEL
@ 0:30:38 · CONTINUE
Approved 7-0
Continue the Site Plan hearing for 28 Haverhill Road to September 28, 2026.
MOVED · DAVID · SECONDED · KEITH
@ 1:15:48 · CONTINUE
Approved 7-0
Continue the public hearing for the Special Permit at 4 Lake Attitash Road to October 14, 2026.
MOVED · TRACY · SECONDED · TOM
@ 1:28:55 · APPROVE
Approved 7-0
Approve the Definitive Subdivision plan for 2-4 Elmwood Street subject to the four staff conditions in the 9/14/2026 memo.
MOVED · DAVID · SECONDED · JOEL
@ 1:29:47 · OTHER
Approved 7-0
Close the public hearing for the Definitive Subdivision at 2-4 Elmwood Street.
MOVED · KEITH · SECONDED · DAVID
@ 1:38:18 · OTHER
Approved 7-0
Adjourn the Planning Board meeting.
UNDER · Adjournment