Meredith planners approve seven-lot subdivision

The Planning Board last night granted conditional approval to Thomas R. Nadeau to develop a seven-lot, 68-acre residential subdivision on Hatch Corner Rd. The tract is located on the west side of the road, about one-half mile north of Rte. 104.

Surveyor Ron Johnson sold planners the subdivision would be called Stagecoach Corner — Old Stage Rd. forms the northern boundary of the property. The lots will vary in size from 3.45-acres to 34.1-acres.

All the lots will be accessed from Hatch Corner Rd. and Nadeau had agreed to contribute $7,500 toward the cost of improving that Class V roadway's gravel surface.

Water is expected to be drawn from wells on the individual homesites and Nadeau also agreed to a Fire Department request that all homes be fitted with fire prevention sprinkler systems. That requirement will be stipulated in the deeds.

There was considerable discussion about access to the largest, and northernmost, lot. Hatch Corner Rd. turns to the right just past the proposed driveway location and perhaps 100 ft. from the driveway of the nearest abutter, Mark Sullivan.

Members Pam Bliss and William Bayard suggested the board might want to visit the site to study the driveway location but neither made a formal motion to do so.

Rather than turning with Hatch Corner Rd., Nadeau's property line continues straight north along the edge of what Johnson called an undeveloped Class VI right-of-way until it meets up with Old Stage Rd.

Asked by board Chairman Herb Vadney if the 34-acre lot could someday again be subdivided, Johnson replied with a conditional yes. He agreed with Vadney that a second building lot would have to be accessed from the north on Old Stage Rd., which itself is presently a Class VI roadway.

In other business, the Planning Board granted conditional approval to 3-lot, 18.7-acre residential subdivision on Meredith Neck Rd. and gave Meredith Village Savings Bank approval to change the exterior building materials on the administrative office building it is constructing at the intersection of Routes 3 and 25 in the village.

Dean and Barbara Beddingfield will still need to get a "special exception" from the Zoning Board of Adjustment for their subdivision plans to proceed as a driveway is planned for an area that is within 100-feet of a designated wetland. The location is dictated by a desire to keep the driveway access away from the crest of a rise in Meredith Neck Rd.

Bayard commented that he rather see the driveway built in the wetland buffer zone than have it create a traffic safety issue.

The bank's approved building plans originally called for a brick exterior but they were back before the board last night asking for permission to change to clapboard and shingle covered facades. Peter Bolton told planners that bank officials were originally motivated by a desire to save money ($150,000) in constructing the 7,000-square-foot, three-story building but now believe the new look is more aesthetically pleasing as well. Board members seemed to agree.