The Peterborough Planning Board has approved a site plan review application submitted by Hoyle Tanner on behalf of the Town of Peterborough for construction of the town’s new fire and rescue station on Elm Street. 

The board reviewed two conditional use permit applications at Monday night’s meeting, the first for proposed wetland protection overlay zone impacts for stormwater runoff and crossings, and the second seeking a waiver for the town’s requirement that a sidewalk be constructed in front of all new development in the Village Commercial District. 

Marisa DiBiaso of Hoyle Tanner explained that given the nature of the fire station, it is not safe to have a sidewalk crossing in front of the building.

“To relieve the requirements of having a sidewalk in front of the fire station, we are bringing the sidewalk across the street. It is not safe to have sidewalk cross in front of the apparatus bays,” DiBiaso said. 

DiBiaso pointed out that the campus plan includes installation of a new crosswalk between the Community Center/fire station campus and the east side of Elm Street, in front of the bowling alley.  

The updated plans for the fire station campus also include a walkway to the Shaw’s and CVS shopping area. In response to questions from the board, DiBasio explained that a small portion of the proposed walkway is on private property and that the town will need to approach the property owner in order to complete permitting. 

“I believe there is an easement for the walkway,” DiBasio said. 

Planning Board member Andrew Dunbar asked if the plan included warning lights on Elm Street, which would alert drivers when apparatus would be leaving the station in an emergency. 

“That’s something the town would have to decide if it is something they want,” DiBiaso said. 

DiBiaso outlined Hoyle Tanner’s adjusted plans for managing stormwater on the site, including applying for an alteration-of-terrain permit.

“This is a flat site with high groundwater. All stormwater management is designed to comply with (Department of Environmental Services) requirements. We received comments, and we are in the process of addressing those comments and will get back to DES,” DiBiaso said. 

The application states that while the fire and rescue campus is adjacent to the Nubanusit River, it is outside the river’s 100-year flood plain and should not impact the wetlands. DiBiaso indicated on the site plan that the project does not impact the wetland or the wetland buffer. 

Peterborough Director of Planning and Building Danica Melone noted that the application was approved with the condition that the plan also follow recommendations from the Conservation Commission, including adding native plants to improve the wetland buffer and annual mowing to decrease invasive buckthorn at the site.

MicroSpec excavationapplication approved 

The board approved an excavation application proposed by TF Moran Civil Engineers, representing MicroSpec, for a small existing gravel pit one Route 202, just south of the Monadnock Plaza. 

“The point of this plan is to develop the parcel, to repair a sub-grade for future development and to reclaim the existing gravel point,” said Jason Hill of TF Moran. 

MicroSpec applied for the excavation application for the parcel, called the “North Pit,” which was approved for a three-parcel subdivision a year ago. The reclamation plan calls for the slopes to be regraded and landscaped. 

“Right now, this site is an eyesore. After reclamation, it will have greenery and bushes and small trees. I came in and said, ‘I want to remove this eyesore from Peterborough,’ and that’s our goal,” said Tim Steele, CEO and founder of Microspec. 

Hill noted that all stormwater will drain into filtration ponds at the bottom of the existing pit and will not impact the wetlands or the buffer. 

“We anticipate DES approval in the next few weeks. There were no fundamental issues with proposed grading and design,” Hill said. 

Melone said that the project has already been granted a variance,  as excavation operations not allowed in Village Commercial District.