The Manchester Planning & Zoning Board closed the Jan. 2 public hearing on an amendment to SP2018-079, a proposed parking expansion and related site changes at 896 Gosse (Goss) Falls Road for an automotive repair business.

The board closed the hearing after the applicant described engineering work, state permit approvals and conservation-commission review, and planning staff confirmed minor plan details for final recommendations.

Engineer Paul Chisholm of Keach Nordstrom Associates said the amendment adds pavement and parking after the property acquired frontage from the city, enabling an extra row of parking without needing additional variances. Chisholm told the board that the Cohass Brook wraps behind the property and that the site previously replaced an above-ground stormwater pond with an underground system; the project required and received New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services shoreland permits because the property lies within 250 feet of the brook.

The applicant requested a waiver from the required number of shade trees (29 required, 21 proposed) because water and sewer mains and other utilities limit planting in the frontage. Keach Nordstrom noted the Conservation Commission provided favorable correspondence and that the Zoning Board of Adjustment previously granted variances for expanded parking for the nonconforming use.

Board and staff discussion focused on fencing and screening: plans call for an upgraded, code-compliant 8-foot opaque fence or, alternatively, the applicant said it may seek relief from the Zoning Board of Adjustment for the existing fence conditions. Planning staff asked for a plan note limiting light-pole bases to no more than 6 inches above landscaped areas; staff recommended including that note as a condition of approval.

With no public commenters and the Conservation Commission supportive, the board closed the public hearing; the file will be brought forward at the board’s next business meeting for final recommendations and vote.

Ending: Staff will draft recommendations related to the tree waiver, fence compliance or variance and the lighting note and place the amendment on the next business agenda for action.