Planning Board

May 11, 2010

Approved June 8, 2010

Present: B Smith, B Harcke, J Starkey, J Ranson, R Kotfila, L Burt, L Bressett

Excused: N Zeller, L Ingram

The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 7:00 PM. In the absence of the secretary, Laurie Burt agreed to be the recorder. It was noted that Jim Ranson would be a voting member.

The minutes of April 13 were reviewed. Jim Starkey noted under Old Business in regards to the engineer reviews, change the sentence to read “had been asked to submit a written proposal and estimate to review the plans.” Bob Harcke moved to approve the minutes as corrected, seconded by Russ Kotfila, motion passed unanimously.

CERSOSIMO

Lauren reported that the engineer report was not ready for this meeting. She informed Cersosimo and they were not opposed to another continuance. Bob moved to continue the Cersosimo hearing to June 8, 2010 at 7 PM at the Town Hall, seconded by Russ, motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

Lauren called for a slate of officers for the year. Jim S moved that Lauren Bressett be chair and Laurie Burt be vice chair, seconded by Russ, motion passed unanimously.

SELECTMEN

Lauren noted the letter received by the state and forwarded by the Selectmen regarding the application for a car sales dealer license by Eugene Bowman. The matter was referred to the Zoning Administrator who has indicated that he will be referring it to Zoning for a special exception, then Planning for site plan review.

MAIL

A letter was received by NH DOT regarding the final refurbishing of Rt 12 from South Village Rd to just north of Rt 63 and asking for response to questions about items in the vicinity. Board noted the location of the recreation field, cemetery, the previous flooding around the bridge near the South Village Road intersection, and the old gas tank that is located under the rise of ground on the brook side of the road just north of the John Burt residence.

A guide was received by Public Service of NH titled “Right of Way Encroachment Process” accompanied by a request for PSNH to be informed whenever a land development application that involves a PSNH right of way is received. The board looked at the checklists for both subdivision and site plan review. Russ moved that we add to the checklist “If a right of way or easement does exist, evidence that holders of such have been informed,” seconded by Jim Ranson, motion passed unanimously.

Other procedures were discussed. Bruce asked about timing for permit review as currently the board has no definitive interval. It was suggested that the same interval as required by the state should be used. Jim S expressed concern about who is qualified to do review of sites when it involved technical matters. Lauren noted that in towns with staff engineers, the engineer would do it and the applicant could be charged. State law permits towns with no qualified staff to contract the work at the expense of the applicant. Jim S noted that it is his understanding that Planning Board is the ordinance maker and application reviewer but the selectboard is the enforcer. No decision was made.

ORDINANCE REVIEW

Bruce asked if we should be looking at some more recent ordinance issues. Russ noted that with a new town attorney we should continue the review we are doing and respond to specific ones if and when we are directed to do so.

Laurie Burt had to leave and Lauren assumed recorder duties.

Accessory apartments were discussed. Currently two family homes are allowed in VC and in MDR by special exception. There continues to be pressure for approval for accessory apartments when a family member needs assistance. However, LGC has noted that it is impossible to enforce a requirement that accessory apartments are to be used only by relatives. Discussion ensued on zones for accessory apartments, appropriate limitations on size, monitoring and approval of safety and property value issues. Our ordinance should allow it across all zones, limit size to 1000 sq ft, require owner to live in one of the residences, and provide adequate parking. The Temple ordinance could be used as an example.

OTHER

Lauren asked if the board wants the town attorney present for the engineer report and final Cersosimo deliberation, consensus was to have him present.

Lauren asked if the board would like their notices put up on the town web site. It was felt that we need to discuss this further in the future.

Meeting adjourned at 8:54 PM