Design review for Exeter Country Club subdivision prompts tree, drainage and sewer questions

Jones & Beach Engineers and the applicant presented a non‑binding design review on July 9 for a proposed 14‑lot cluster subdivision within the Exeter Country Club property. Paige Libby, representing the applicant, said the proposal would develop roughly 10 acres at the end of JD Hill Road, widen a narrow section of JD Hill to connect a new loop road of about 1,100 feet and retain open space near wetland buffers.

Libby told the board the plan is conceptual: “The yields plan yielded 14 lots. We're proposing 14 lots, and the road would be about 1000 feet coming off of the end of JD Hill Road.” She said the developer is exploring a sewer connection and may require cooperation with a town‑owned parcel for the tie‑in.

Abutters asked for more information. Janet Marotti, who lives at 79 JD Hill Ave, said the plan’s single sentence about road widening underestimates the work required: it would move utility poles, a fire hydrant, a storm drain and several mature trees and would remove vegetation that now buffers homes from errant golf balls. “If all those things are removed, we will be sitting ducks,” Marotti said, asking the board to ‘‘give serious consideration to the concerns raised by the residents of JD Hill.’’

Board members focused on several technical items they said must be clarified before a formal submission: a survey of existing trees above the regulated caliper, explicit buildable envelopes for Lots 7–9 and 8 that show any wetland crossings, details on how the proposed road would be constructed and whether it would become a town road (the applicant indicated it would be), and a clarified sewer‑tie strategy with DPW and the select board.

Planner Dave reminded the public that design review is non‑binding under the town’s design‑review statute and suggested the applicant re‑notice abutters and return with a full plan set. After receiving public comment and hearing board questions, the Planning Board voted to conclude the design review; the applicant will return with a formal application and revised materials that address tree surveys, wetland crossing depictions and sewer tie‑in options.

Why it matters: the proposal affects neighborhood character, on‑street safety and local infrastructure. Neighbors asked for traffic study consideration, measures for golf‑ball safety and preservation of century‑old trees that provide an important neighborhood buffer.

Next steps: applicant to file a formal subdivision application with updated plans and documentation of tree surveys, wetland crossings and sewer connection options.