The most contentious matter addressed was the request for determination of applicability concerning Avner Schner’s property at Three Powers Lane. The project involved the installation of a sand fence, which had been completed without prior permitting. The sand fence, intended to protect dunes and prevent further erosion, was installed within a New Hampshire Priority Habitat Coastal Beach and land susceptible to coastal storm flowage. The property manager for Avue Shore, Joshua Wilbar, presented the case, noting significant erosion over the past year as a primary concern.

During the discussion, it was revealed that part of the sand fence extended onto a neighbor’s property. The Commission emphasized the necessity for Wilbar to obtain permission from the neighbor for this encroachment. Additionally, there was a requirement for the sand fence to be removed by April 1st and reinstalled only after August 31st to align with environmental guidelines. The board approved the motion for a negative determination, pending comments from the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, with a unanimous vote, stipulating that no further filings would be necessary.

In another development, the Commission reviewed a notice of intent from Harry Hospitality Incorporated for a project on Route 28. This proposal involved removing existing sidewalks and blacktop, installing a building overhang, and enhancing stormwater management within sensitive riverfront and coastal buffer zones. The representative for the project described it as minor, with a 2:1 mitigation factor for plantings to address environmental impacts. The Commission approved the project with special conditions to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

The Commission also deliberated on a notice of intent from the Acres of Pines Association concerning seasonal sand fencing and hand raking activities on a coastal beach. The proposal aimed to maintain a clean environment by manually removing seaweed and debris during the peak summer months. Board members scrutinized the plan, focusing on the importance of preserving the sand and maintaining beach aesthetics. They discussed the exact placement of the snow fence near the vegetated dune to prevent erosion effectively. The board reached a consensus on the conditions for raking and snow fencing, emphasizing adherence to previously established guidelines.

Further discussions involved a proposal for an inground pool, patio, and shed at Moss Road, situated in a flood zone. The landscape designer explained the constraints posed by existing structures, including a septic system, which informed the project’s layout. The Commission voiced concerns about the ecological impact, prompting a suggestion to replace some proposed plantings with native oaks to preserve habitat value. The motion to approve the project, contingent on a revised planting plan, passed unanimously.

Additionally, the Commission addressed a certificate of compliance for a previous project at Buck Island Road. A stormwater permit application was postponed due to an incomplete peer review, with plans to revisit it on December 5th, 2024. Updates on ongoing projects were also discussed, including the fragm treatment program and the Chase Brook Park project, which awaited a MEPA permit and funding.

The meeting concluded with updates on wastewater management projects along Route 28, acknowledging ongoing challenges with the paving contractor. The Commission also discussed potential educational initiatives focused on invasive species management and the search for a seventh commissioner, noting several inquiries that did not meet the requirements.