Wetland Conditional Use Permit Application Instructions

This application shall be used for approval of a Wetland Conditional Use Permit from the Planning Board according to the requirements of Section 10.1017 of Zoning Ordinance. Conservation Commission review is also required for all wetland conditional use permit applications.

1. A complete application including the online land use application form, the required application fee, and original copies of all supporting documents, plans, and exhibits must be received by the Planning Department prior to the published deadline. Note, there are separate submission deadlines for Conservation Commission and Planning Board.

For the Conservation Commission submission, the applicant must file one (1) hard copy of supporting plans, documents, and exhibits (one (1) full-size (22”x34”).
For Planning Board submission, the applicant must file one (1) full-size (22"x34") hard copy of supporting plans, documents, and exhibits.

2. View Point Cloud is the software that powers the City of Portsmouth's online application center. In order to complete an online land use application, you must create an account for the site. When you register for the first time, you’ll need to access your email account in order to activate your View Point account.

3. The person completing the online application should be the primary point of contact for the project and must provide authorization from the property owner. All automatic notifications from View Point on the application’s status, approvals, and staff comments will be sent to this person’s email address. Only this person can add additional information to the application once it’s been submitted.

4. If the project will need multiple land use approvals from different boards, a single online land use application record should be used for all of the approvals. It is recommended that the applicant confer with Planning Department staff about project contacts for multiple land use approvals prior to submitting the application.

5. Submission deadlines are available from the Planning Department and online -- www.cityofportsmouth.com/planportsmouth/land-use-applications-forms-and-fees (meeting schedule).

6. The Planning Department reserves the right to refuse applications which do not meet the minimum requirements. The Planning Department may also require additional information and/or exhibits as needed to illustrate the scope of the project.

7. The following information must be provided with the online application:

Description of site and proposed construction
Total area of inland wetland or vernal pool (both on and off the parcel)
Impacted Jurisdictional Area(s) (i.e. vernal pool, inland wetland, inland wetland buffer, tidal wetland or tidal wetland buffer)
Distance of proposed structure or activity to the edge of wetland
Total wetland area and/or wetland buffer area on the lot
Total wetland area and/or wetland buffer area to be disturbed on the lot
Project representatives – names and contact information
Plans meeting the requirements of Section 10.1017.20 of the Zoning Ordinance

Depending on the type of project / activity, additional information may be required.

8. Review by Independent Certified Wetland Scientist

In some cases the Planning Board or Conservation Commission may require the opinion of a qualified independent certified wetland scientist. In such cases the procedure is that the Board applies to the Rockingham County Conservation District for the services of such an individual. The findings of the certified wetland scientist will include, but are not limited to, the suitability of the site for the proposed use and the effect of the project on the wetlands on site and in the vicinity.

The certified wetland scientist will render a report to the District, with copies to the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission. The District will bill the City directly for the services of the certified wetland scientist. The owner /applicant shall forward a check to the City made payable to Rockingham County Conservation District prior to the petition being reviewed by either the Conservation Commission or the Planning Board.

Following the receipt of the report from the Rockingham County Conservation District, the Conservation Commission will review the application and will make a recommendation to the Planning Board. Once such a recommendation is made by the Conservation Commission, the Planning Board will schedule a Public Hearing.

9. Site Walk

If a site walk is requested by either the applicant or the commission, please stake or use some sort of markers to show the location of any proposed changes to the property, such as the extent of new buildings, driveways, or planting beds. This will make for a more efficient site walk and help the commission gain a better understanding of your proposal in the field.

The Applicant is encouraged to consider the following when completing the application:

Provide neat and clearly legible plans and copies
Use of color or highlights is encouraged in order to identify pertinent areas on plans
Applicants are encouraged to review the application with a member of the Planning Department staff prior to submittal
All applicants are encouraged to discuss the project with impacted neighbors
Enhance existing buffer plantings: Consider adding native vegetation (including trees) in the wetland buffer (and throughout the property) to increase biodiversity, habitat, improve soil stability, and reduce climate impact. Additionally, please consider preserving as much existing vegetation and trees as possible. Providing a planting plan is encouraged.
Reduce lawn areas: Consider reducing the lawn area on your property, especially in the buffer, and replace it with native plantings or let it grow naturally without mowing. This can increase stormwater runoff infiltration and improve biodiversity and shoreline stability. Additionally, utilizing NOFA's standards for organic land care on any lawn and landscaped areas that remain.
Use rain gardens, rain barrels, and gutters: Consider using rain gardens, rain barrels, gutters, or drip edges to collect or infiltrate rainwater. This can reduce water runoff and erosion while helping to conserve water.
Reduce impervious surfaces: Consider reducing the area of any new impervious surface (buildings, walkways, patios, driveways, etc.) to the absolute minimum necessary to achieve the project's goals. This can help reduce the environmental impact of your project.
Consider Wildlife: Consider including wildlife tunnels/crossing under roadways, ground clearance of fences, and curb cuts, slanted curbing, or no curbing to allow for the movement of wildlife through the property. The addition of pollinator gardens is encouraged.
Limit lighting and blasting: Consider keeping lighting to a minimum and having it be dark-sky compliant, this can be shown in a lighting plan. Limit blasting and the keep the removal of trees and vegetation to an absolute minimum.
Provide property maintenance plans: Consider attaching property maintenance plans for pervious pavements, stormwater infiltration systems, no-mow zones, snow removal and buffer plantings to the property deed. This can help to ensure the long-term sustainability of your project.
Think outside the box: Consider creative ways to reduce and offset the impacts of your project on the wetland buffer and the environment in general.

For additional information on application requirements and the subdivision review process, please refer to the City of Portsmouth Zoning Ordinance (Section 10.1017) and the Planning Board Rules and Regulations or contact the Planning Department directly at (603) 610-7216.