Your area Not set — showing everywhere
Meeting report · Planning Board
Creating this report cost real money. Help fund coverage →

Planning Board — June 11, 2026

Goffstown Planning Board expands agenda discussions to include major waivers and fast-tracks new development regulations.

The meeting featured lively discussions regarding regulatory compliance and the balance between developer requests and town standards.

Date Thursday, June 11, 2026 Duration 1.8h Speakers 15 Public comments 1 Decisions 9 Lively

Questions about this meeting? ⁠Just ask.

Ask MeetingWatch answers from this meeting’s report, transcript, and records — with linked sources.

Summary AI-generated to surface controversy & community impact without bias — always verify against the actual meeting before relying on it.

At the June 11 Planning Board meeting, several decisions were made that impact the future of Goffstown’s land use and environmental protections.

First, a transparency concern arose regarding the Residential Duplex Site Plan (Map 29, Lot 62). While the agenda listed a completeness review, the discussion expanded into significant waivers for drainage, landscaping, and fire truck turnaround requirements. Residents should be aware when substantive discussions regarding safety and aesthetic waivers occur outside the explicit scope of the posted agenda.

Second, the Board is moving quickly on the new Development Regulations. A vote is being targeted for the July 9 meeting, and board members are currently reviewing the updated text via email. Because these regulations will govern how all property in Goffstown is developed, it is vital that residents stay informed on these upcoming changes.

Finally, the Board granted relief for a project on Blackbrook Road to build within a 50-foot wetland buffer. While the approval includes conditions for stormwater management and protecting the Blanding's turtle, it represents a significant deviation from standard wetland protections.

Jun 11, 2026 1.8h long 15 speakers 1 public comments 9 decisions Lively
Notable statements Drag to browse

“The existing driveway is 62 feet from the nearest driveway, and the proposal pushes it closer to that driveway at approximately 38 feet.”

— Unidentified speaker · Discussing driveway separation requirements on arterial roads. ▶ 12:25

“I personally don't like this, because you're creating this massive frontage, which we don't allow.”

— Unidentified speaker · Expressing opposition to the proposed 30-foot wide driveway opening on West Union Street. ▶ 1:07:53

“I just feel like we're doing a lot of bending over backwards to try to fit something that's just part of our requirements.”

— Unidentified speaker · Regarding the request for a landscaping plan waiver for the duplex project. ▶ 44:48

“The biggest thing that we found was the data check from NHB... Blanding's turtle pit... it wasn't on this property.”

— Bob Stewart (RCS Designs) · Discussing environmental concerns and the presence of endangered species during construction. ▶ 1:25:16

“As long as the homeowners take care of it, that's the main function [of stormwater management].”

— Unidentified speaker · Responding to concerns about the maintenance of the proposed gutter drywall/drip line trench. ▶ 1:31:23
This meeting — choose a section

Public ⁠impact

Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
What was discussed

Broad changes to land use and development standards

What happened

The board decided to email the updated regulations to members for review before a scheduled vote.

What was discussed

Approval to build within a 50-foot wetland buffer

What happened

The board granted relief from the wetland buffer subject to strict environmental conditions and updated plans.

Topics ⁠discussed

Each topic expands to quotes and full context.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Review of a proposal to add a residential duplex to a property in the RSB01 zone, involving waivers for drainage, landscaping, and fire truck turnaround.

What happened

The board found the application complete and ready for review, but deferred a final vote pending a review by the Historic District Commission and additional information from the fire department and applicant.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

An application to incorporate two additional parking spaces into an existing driveway on West Union Street, requiring waivers for driveway width and property line setbacks.

What happened

The board decided to continue the application rather than deny it, allowing the applicant time to work with the DPW on a compliant design.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

A review of a proposal to convert a deck into living space and add a screened porch and deck, which would impact a wetland buffer.

What happened

The board granted relief from the wetland buffer subject to several conditions, including updated plans for stormwater treatment and specific conservation notes.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

The board reviewed and moved to adopt the updated Rules of Procedure.

What happened

The board approved the Rules of Procedure with the specified amendment.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

The board reviewed a request to accept a bond from TMS Diesel for outstanding items to facilitate a Certificate of Occupancy.

What happened

The board approved the acceptance of the bond.

Speakers: Unidentified speaker
What was discussed

Discussion regarding the timeline and review process for the new Development Regulations.

What happened

The board will aim to discuss and vote on the regulations at the July 9th meeting.

Controversy & ⁠dissent

Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.

Potentially controversial issues

01

West Union Street Parking and Driveway Expansion

The applicant seeks to widen a driveway to 30 feet to accommodate parking necessitated by town sidewalk projects, which clashes with established width regulations and setback requirements.
Board position: The Chair and board expressed strong opposition to the proposed 30-foot width, favoring a design that adheres to the 22-foot maximum.
low concern
02

Residential Duplex Site Plan (New Business 2962)

The project involves multiple waivers for landscaping, drainage, and fire safety (turnaround), leading to debate over whether the board is being too lenient with requirements.
Board position: The board found the application complete but deferred the vote to seek more rigorous input from the Fire Department and the Historic District Commission.
Internal dissent
There was significant debate between members regarding the landscaping waiver, with some pushing for a formal plan and others accepting the existing vegetation.
medium concern

Community vs. board tension

Public ⁠comment

What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
1
Total speakers
0
Addressed
1
Partial
0
Not addressed
Mike Dahlberg
Partial
As a representative/surveyor for the applicant, he discussed compliance with the RSB District, building coverage, and the completion of drainage studies. He requested waivers for the landscaping plan and the fire truck turnaround, arguing the site is already heavily landscaped and the driveway is too small for a turnaround. Key concern
Requesting waivers for a full landscaping plan and a fire truck turnaround requirement.
Board response
The board discussed the requests, noted the need for Fire Department comments regarding the driveway/turnaround, and suggested that providing a more detailed landscaping plan might be a better path than a full waiver.
The board did not grant or deny the waivers; instead, they deferred the decision, requested further information (Fire Dept. input and a potential landscaping plan), and instructed the applicant to review specific ordinances.

Decisions ⁠logged

Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Motion to find New Business 2962 (Residential Duplex) complete, ready for review, no regional impact, and containing three waivers for discussion only.
The motion included a determination of completeness despite initial missing items like architectural renderings and drainage studies.
Passed unanimously
Motion to continue New Business 2962 to August 13, 2026.
Required due to the 45-day waiting period for Historic District Commission review.
Passed
Motion to find the West Union Street application complete, ready for review, no regional impact, and containing two waivers for discussion only.
The application involves a driveway and parking expansion.
Passed
Motion to continue the West Union Street application to August 13, 2026.
The extension allows the applicant time to work with the DPW on an alternative design.
Passed
Continue the driveway application until July 9th.
To allow time for DPW coordination and sketch preparation.
Passed (Motion by Joshua, Second by Bill DeVanza)
Find the Blackbrook Road application complete and ready for review.
Found complete with no regional impact and no waivers.
Passed (Motion by a speaker, Second by a speaker)
Grant relief from the outer 50-foot wetland buffer for the Blackbrook Road project.
Approval is subject to conditions: updated gable/drip line details, Blanding's turtle flyer note, chain link fence retention note, and standard staff report conditions (excluding AutoCAD files).
Passed (Motion by Tim Redmond, Second by Joshua Douglas)
Approve the Rules of Procedure.
Approved with an amendment to Article 14 regarding the wording of land use courts.
Passed (Motion by a speaker, Second by a speaker)
Accept the bond for TMS Diesel for outstanding items.
Bond amount of $94,324.43.
Passed (Motion by Phil, Second by a speaker)

Share ⁠this report

Drafts ready to post — click a block to copy, or use Share to post it.

X / Twitter — by angle

Off-agenda substantive discussion regarding waivers
At the June 11 Planning Board meeting, discussions on the Residential Duplex Site Plan (Map 29, Lot 62) expanded to include significant waivers for drainage, landscaping, and fire truck turnarounds—details not explicitly... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/goffstown/planning-board/2026-06-11/ #MeetingWatch #GoffstownNH
315/280 chars
Upcoming significant zoning changes
Goffstown Planning Board: The board is moving toward a vote on new Development Regulations on July 9th. Members are reviewing a 'cleaned-up' copy via email before the vote. Residents should stay alert as these changes impact... https://meetingwatch.org/nh/goffstown/planning-board/2026-06-11/ #MeetingWatch #GoffstownNH
319/280 chars
Decision impacting environmental protections
The Planning Board granted relief for a Blackbrook Road project to build within a 50-foot wetland buffer. Approval is contingent on stormwater management and protecting Blanding's turtle habitat. #Goffstown #Environment https://meetingwatch.org/nh/goffstown/planning-board/2026-06-11/ #MeetingWatch #GoffstownNH
311/280 chars

X thread

1
Transparency Alert: The Goffstown Planning Board discussed significant waivers during the June 11 meeting that weren't clearly detailed on the public agenda. Here is what residents need to know. 🧵 #MeetingWatch #GoffstownNH
223/280
2
Regarding the Residential Duplex (Map 29, Lot 62), the meeting expanded into substantive debates over waivers for drainage, landscaping, and fire truck turnaround access. These details are critical to site safety and aesthetics but weren't explicitly on the agenda.
265/280
3
Additionally, the Board is fast-tracking new Development Regulations, with a vote aimed for July 9. Members are reviewing the text via email prior to the meeting. These regulations will fundamentally change land use standards for everyone in town.
247/280
4
Stay engaged: Decisions like these—from wetland buffer relief on Blackbrook Road to new town-wide zoning—shape our community. Watch the July 9 meeting closely. #Goffstown #CivicAccountability https://meetingwatch.org/nh/goffstown/planning-board/2026-06-11/
215/280

Facebook — long form

At the June 11 Planning Board meeting, several decisions were made that impact the future of Goffstown’s land use and environmental protections. 

First, a transparency concern arose regarding the Residential Duplex Site Plan (Map 29, Lot 62). While the agenda listed a completeness review, the discussion expanded into significant waivers for drainage, landscaping, and fire truck turnaround requirements. Residents should be aware when substantive discussions regarding safety and aesthetic waivers occur outside the explicit scope of the posted agenda.

Second, the Board is moving quickly on the new Development Regulations. A vote is being targeted for the July 9 meeting, and board members are currently reviewing the updated text via email. Because these regulations will govern how all property in Goffstown is developed, it is vital that residents stay informed on these upcoming changes.

Finally, the Board granted relief for a project on Blackbrook Road to build within a 50-foot wetland buffer. While the approval includes conditions for stormwater management and protecting the Blanding's turtle, it represents a significant deviation from standard wetland protections. https://meetingwatch.org/nh/goffstown/planning-board/2026-06-11/ #MeetingWatch #GoffstownNH

Action ⁠items

Who owes what, by when.
Submit updated drainage study and review landscaping requirements/appendix F.
Assigned: Mike Dahlberg (Applicant) · Due: August 13, 2026
Seek specific feedback from the Fire Department regarding the fire truck turnaround waiver.
Assigned: Board/Staff · Due: August 13, 2026
Work with DPW to develop an alternative driveway/parking design that meets the 22-foot width regulation.
Assigned: Richard Plant (Applicant) · Due: August 13, 2026
Coordinate with DPW and submit revised plans for the Blackbrook Road project including stormwater and turtle conservation details.
Assigned: Applicant (Bob Stewart) · Due: July 9th
Email the cleaned-up version of the Development Regulations to all board members for review.
Assigned: Joanne (Staff) · Due: Before July 9th
Administratively handle the addition of specific conditions to the Blackbrook Road approval.
Assigned: Joanne (Staff) · Due: Immediately

Member ⁠positions

1 issues · 1 explicit · 0 inferred
Present
Blackbrook Road Residential Structure Revision YES
Moved to grant relief from the wetland buffer subject to conditions.

Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position. UNCLEAR means the vote was split but the record did not name how this member voted — it is not a “yes.”

Accountability ⁠flags

Documented procedural gaps. Each item links to its source.

Topics discussed — not on agenda

Support coverage

Creating this report cost ⁠real money.

MeetingWatch attended, transcribed, and analyzed this meeting on its own dime. If this work is valuable to you, chip in to keep covering Goffstown.

Report composed by gemma-4-26b, grok-4.20-0309-reasoning, grok-4-fast · analyzed 2026-06-12.