Town of Wilton, NH

Subdivision Regulations

10.0 Design and Execution Standards

In addition to the requirements set forth in these regulations, the Zoning Ordinance and other applicable law and regulations, improvements proposed for a subdivision, and other work required to be done to complete an application shall be designed and executed, installed and/or constructed as follows:

10.1 Monumentation.

10.1.1 Construction.

Monuments constructed of concrete or stone at least four inches across the top and at least 36 inches high shall be set at all block corners and iron pins or equivalent markers at all lot corners.

10.1.2 Drill Holes.

Drill holes shall be at least one-half inch in diameter and set at least one inch deep in an unmovable stone in the center of the wall, unless otherwise shown on the plat.

10.1.3 Pins.

Iron pins shall be at least one inch in diameter and anchored in the ground a minimum of 36 inches, or if physical conditions do not permit, the pins shall be set in concrete.

10.1.4 Timing of Placement.

All monuments shall be in place before the Board approves the application, or the applicant shall post a performance guarantee in an amount determined by the Board to be sufficient to cover the cost of installation.

10.2 High Intensity Soil Surveys.

High intensity soil surveys required for Major Subdivisions shall be prepared by a Certified Soil Scientist. The map of the parcel on a perimeter survey, with a minimum scale of one hundred feet to the inch, shall identify and locate soils in accordance with the high intensity soils mapping standards and guidance published by the Society of Soil Scientists of Northern New England and the United States Department of Agriculture sources such as the Soil Survey Manual.

The applicant shall deliver both a hard copy and a digital copy complying with the requirements of Chapter 8 of the map to the Board. The map shall contain the seal and signature of the Certified Soil Scientist and any qualifying notes. If a soil classification indicated on the map is in dispute, the Board may ask a qualified consultant to review the map at the applicant’s expense.

10.3 Subsurface Sewage Disposal.

All lots proposed with on-site septic systems shall have adequate capacity to handle effluent and shall meet the following requirements:

  1. A 4,000 square foot leachfield area or an area two times that required by State standards, whichever is greater, shall be reserved on each lot and designated on the plat.
  2. The designated leachfield shall be left open and cannot be used for incompatible purposes, including, without limitation, driveways or structures of any type. Parking areas may be located over a designated leachfield only if chambered systems are used.
  3. Septic systems and leachfields shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the standards set and enforced by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Welfare, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Water Supply and Pollution Control Division, and the Town of Wilton.
  4. No septic system or leachfield shall be located in poorly or very poorly drained soils.
  5. Leachfields cannot be located in areas with finished slopes greater than 25 percent.
  6. Septic systems and leachfields shall be set back from wetlands, open water bodies and perennial streams as follows:
    1. systems located entirely or partially in highly permeable soils (a permeability of six inches or greater per hour throughout, as indicated in the most current version of the United States Department of Agriculture Soil Survey) – 125 feet;
    2. systems located entirely or partially in somewhat poorly drained soils, moderately well-drained soils or soils with a restrictive layer and a slope of eight percent or greater - 100 feet; and
    3. systems located in all other soils - 75 feet.
  7. If a required high intensity soil survey indicates bedrock less than three feet from the surface, sufficient test pits shall be made to ensure that required setbacks can be met.

10.4 Roads.

All roads shall be constructed to meet the requirements of these regulations and the Road Design Standards and Specifications contained in Appendix I to the Wilton Land Use Laws and Regulations.

10.4.1 Layout.

Roads shall be logically related to the topography of the site to minimize cuts and fills, to provide for reasonable grades and safe intersections, and to produce usable lots. Roads shall be arranged to provide for the continuation of the principal streets in adjoining subdivisions, or for their proper projection when adjoining property is not subdivided. Connecting streets will conform in width, but in no instance will any new road be narrower than 20 feet.

10.4.2 Road Names.

Roads that join or are in alignment with streets on abutting properties shall have the same name. New names will not duplicate or bear phonetic resemblance to the names of existing r roads within the Town of Wilton. All names are subject to final approval by the Select Board.

10.4.3 Design and Construction Standards.

Road networks, including pavement, drainage facilities, curbs and sidewalks, shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the specifications contained in Appendix I to the Wilton Land Use Laws and Regulations. The Road Agent and/or the Consulting Engineer shall oversee the construction of all roads and shall perform all required inspections.

10.5 Storm Drainage.

Natural drainage patterns and offsite runoff shall be maintained at predevelopment locations and volumes to the maximum extent feasible. Disturbed areas shall be graded to eliminate pooling of water. The applicant shall develop and submit a stormwater management system and plan, conforming to the requirements applicable Land Use Laws and Regulations, approved by the Board and/or the Consulting Engineer as part of the application, to control drainage and related issues. Runoff shall not cross a road surface but shall be directed into catch basins, ditches, or underground via a pipe not less than 15 inches in diameter, or such other size as may be deemed necessary by the Road Agent and/or the Consulting Engineer.

In addition to any other requirements under applicable law, the stormwater management plan shall indicate:

  1. existing and proposed methods of handling stormwater runoff;
  2. the direction of runoff using arrows;
  3. the location, elevation and size of all catch basins, drainage ditches, swales, retention basins and storm sewers; and
  4. drainage calculations based on a 25-year storm frequency.

10.6 Erosion and Sediment Control.

As part of an application for a Major Subdivision, the applicant shall provide a soil erosion and sediment control plan conforming to the standards contained in Appendix II to the Wilton Land Use Laws and Regulations, and otherwise as required by applicable Land Use Laws and Regulations, and including temporary and permanent control measures. The Board may ask a qualified consultant to evaluate the potential erosion and sedimentation impact of the proposed development at the applicant’s expense, whether in connection with considering a requested waiver of this requirement or otherwise.

10.7 Driveways.

Driveways shall be constructed in compliance with the requirements for driveways contained in the Wilton Land Use Laws and Regulations and their locations, as well as the locations and dimensions of public rights-of-way and other roads serving the subdivision and adequate access points, turning radii and turnarounds for emergency vehicles, shall be indicated on the plat included with the application. The applicant shall provide the Board with a Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions and/or forms of easement addressing ownership, use, maintenance and repair of common driveways and public rights-of way to be maintained privately, in form acceptable and approved by the Board and Town Counsel, at the expense of the applicant.