The Peterborough Planning Board heard two subdivision applications on Monday, approving one and postponing the other.
The application by Richard Pendleton and Sage Wheeler to subdivide 655 Sand Hill Road into two lots was approved smoothly.
The new lot makes up 4.7 acres of the original 50-acre property on the south side of Sand Hill Road. Pendleton and Wheeler plan to give the lot to their daughter and fiancé to develop a farm.
The area already has an agricultural barn, private cell, and a state-approved septic system for the barn, which has a bathroom and is used to wash produce.
With two letters of support, the board unanimously approved the subdivision.
The second application submitted by James Vigneault plans to divide around 9.5 acres into three residential lots on Old Dublin Road.
One lot, 129 Old Dublin Road, already has a house and a barn, and would be cut down to three acres, with the other two behind it, each about 3.25 acres. While the plans for building houses have not started yet, Vigneault said each lot will have its own driveway, including one that might connect to Route 101, similar to the driveway on the other side of Dublin Road.
Wayne Dodds, a neighbor with abutting property, has owned his house for 36 years and has voiced concerns that new property owners are ignoring the view easement deed intended to protect the view of Monadnock Mountain from his sunroom.
Vigneault said while there are no plans to build houses now, he would be willing to work with Dodds to follow the deed, which requires a 250-foot building restriction from the Dodds’ home and permission for the family to “selectively cut trees on the premises”.
Loretta Lorinitis, neighbor and alternate for the Peterborough Zoning Board, also voiced her concerns about the two additional lots.
Based on her research, one of the additional lots does not follow state regulations for front yard setbacks and lot access requirements necessary for through lots, properties with two sides facing two different streets. And neither additional through lots meet the minimum standard for frontage.
Dancia Miller, town planner, explained normal practice in Peterborough recognizes frontage as along a right-of-way, allowing for the town to add frontage on a property to meet the minimum requirements. She noted for Vigneault’s application that she confirmed the legality with Tim Herlihy, town building inspector.
In response, Lorinitis requested legal consultation from the town attorney, a request with which multiple board members, including Carl Staley, chair of the board, agreed.
To allow for time for Dodds and the town attorney to weigh in, the discussion for the subdivision application has been pushed to June 22 at 6 p.m.