LETTER TO MANCHESTER PLANNING BOARD FROM MANCHESTER CONSERVATION COMMISSION

 

Manchester Conservation Commission

One City Hall Plaza, Manchester, NH 03101

February 15, 2006

 

Planning Board, City of Manchester

One City Hall Plaza Manchester, NH 03101

Dear Planning Board Members:

This letter concerns the proposed development and subdivision plans for the "Neighborhoods at Woodland Pond" on the 110 acre tract of land near Hillcrest Terrace, formerly known as the "Alliance" property. The commissioners of the Manchester Conservation Commission feel it is our responsibility to provide comments regarding our concerns about this development. As you are aware, the Hackett Hill area contains significant and globally rare wetland systems, which include rare species such as Atlantic White Cedar, Black Gum trees and Giant Rhododendrons.This area also provides substantial wildlife habitat and supports a diverse number of wildlife species, including deer, moose, beaver, otter, fox, fisher, snowshoe hare, heron, turkey, and a wide variety of songbirds, amphibians and reptiles. The Commission appreciates the developer's efforts to present us with plans and offer us the opportunity to comment on said plans at our regular meetings. We also appreciate the developer's efforts to minimize wetland impacts, improve stormwater treatment, avoid planting invasive species, and work with the Nature Conservancy.

However, the Commission still has concerns regarding the "Neighborhoods at Woodland Pond "project. Prior to the developer's purchase of the land, Robert Varney, the Regional Director of the EPA, suggested that a 100 acre parcel of land in this area be considered as secondary mitigation for the I-93 widening project due to its ecological importance and proximity to the Cedar Swamp. The commission agrees with this sentiment and would prefer that the parcel of land on which this development is proposed be kept as open space. This land remaining undeveloped is important to the long-term health and ecological integrity of The Manchester Cedar Swamp Preserve that many organizations worked hard to protect. The proposed subdivision will result in: degradation of the adjacent wetlands in the protected cedar swamp over time, destruction and fragmentation of substantial wildlife habitat, and displacement of a number of species that utilize the land either as their home range or as a wildlife corridor between Goffstown/Hooksett and the preserve. Of particular concern are the potential losses of rare and threatened plant species and of wood turtle habitat that currently exist in this area, as stated in the NH Heritage Commission paperwork. The Manchester Conservation Commission has many of the same concerns that The Nature Conservancy expressed in their letter dated December 15, 2005. These concerns and suggestions should be considered and reflected in the development plans. They include:

• Enlarge wetland buffers to 100 feet and keep them as naturally vegetated areas: the commission agrees that the additional buffer and natural vegetation are necessary to protect the wetlands and their wildlife and to prevent negative ecological impacts.

•   Ensure the construction plans (including all silt fences, roads etc.) do not encroach on the preserve. Include provisions in the homeowners/condo association bylaws that prohibit invasive species planting and include monitoring wetlands for invasive species. Minimize disturbed areas for construction and landscaping thereby maximizing the natural vegetative buffer to the preserve. Provide attractive fencing to discourage unauthorized trails onto the preserve. The Conservation Commission would like to make the following additional comments and suggestions:

•   Wildlife corridors from Goffstown/Hooksett to the nature preserve should be provided at various locations throughout the property. Loss of wood turtle habitat should be minimized. Wood turtles are listed as a species of concern by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department due to significant loss of their habitat throughout the state.

• Loss of threatened and/or rare plant species on the property should be minimized.

• Development plans should be put on hold until a comprehensive traffic study can be done for this area. The size of this development is sure to seriously increase traffic flow and the Commission is concerned about the overall impact to this area (especially when considering the proposed office park near French Hall as well). It has come to our attention that the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission and other Manchester residents are also very concerned about this situation. According to the SNHPC, there has not been a traffic study done in this area since 1987, and we feel this issue needs to be addressed before any further development occurs.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the proposed "Neighborhoods at Woodland Pond" development. We hope our suggestions will be taken into consideration.

Sincerely,

Manchester Conservation Commission members