Planning Board 

Minutes

February 23, 2006

Official as of May 25, 2006

Alden Dill calls the meeting to order at 7:06 pm.

PRESENT: Alden Dill, Joann Bailey, Nicole Roy, Selectman Lucy Edwards, Russ Eldridge (arrived late); Board Administrator Linda Smith, Assistant Building Inspector Don Gardner.

VOTING DESIGNATION: Alden Dill is serving as chairman pro tem. All present are voting members; Selectman Edwards leaves for a period to go to Selectmen’s meeting and Russ Eldridge arrived at 7:22.

PRELIMINARY CONCEPTUAL CONSULTATIONS:

1. Bruce Farr, Boundary Line Adjustment. Mr. Farr is present with surveyor Bill Wormell. Mr. Farr explains that he would like to move the boundary line of the lot that he owns that now contains the Allan Holmes business back into his residential property for the purpose of building an agricultural building. This will place the building in an area that will not encroach into the setbacks, will make the smaller lot less non-conforming. Discussion is held on the need to survey the entire (larger) lot and Mr. Wormell asks the board whether they would consider a waiver to show the topo and surveyed lines of the area in the front that will be impacted. A majority is in favor of considering the waiver request.

2. Steve Conway. Mr. Conway is present to discuss Fern Eldridge property. She would like to replace the existing retail space (1500 s.f.) within the home with an addition to the rear of the existing barn (also retail). Closest setback is farther than 20’. No additional parking spaces will be needed as this is the same amount of space that is currently being used. Discussion is held on the topography of the land and potential drainage concerns. Discussion is held on the need for an engineered plan for the entire site. A straw poll (non-binding) is taken and the majority of the board states they would want to see an engineered plan showing the portion of the lot where the new addition will occur.

A recess is taken at 7:15 due to lack of quorum; Mr. Eldridge arrives at 7:24 and the meeting resumes.

CASE: 06-03: Brian Ferullo, 2 Cooper Hill Road. Map 234; Lot 30. Applicant is seeking a site plan for food service business, with 1,800 sq. ft. of business floor space. (Property currently owned by Gary Ray.)  

The application is reviewed for completeness; and the notes from the TRC meeting are reviewed. Motion is made by Joann Bailey, second by Nikki Roy to accept the application as complete. Vote: 4/0. Alden Dill opens the public hearing at 7:30 and reads the abutter’s list. Mr. Ferullo provides an overview of his intent to open an Italian restaurant and pizzeria at the Roy property. The space was formerly used as a dentist office. Mr. Ferullo states that there will be no changes to the driveway and parking area. He has an approved septic design for the business and provides documentation to confirm. He lists the hours of operation as 10 am to 9 pm Sunday-Thursday and 10 am to 10 pm Friday and Saturday. Alden Dill asks about the anticipated traffic at the site. Mr. Ferullo states that he does not believe there will be any increase in traffic and may be less than the previous dentist office. He states that he would estimate the traffic count to be 50-100 cars per day. He adds that there are 13 parking spaces allotted to him. Lucy Edwards asks about snow storage. Mr. Ferullo states that there is no issue with snow storage on site and this could be added to the plan. 

Waiver request is reviewed and it is determined that some of the items on the checklist are not included and need waiver request. Ms. Roy agrees to go through the list for the board and compile a list of needed waivers. Mr. Ferrullo provides a written request for the items which are deemed to be missing. Discussion is held on the rationale for the waiver requests. Mr. Ferullo states there will be no change to the previous use of the site. Motion is made by Alden Dill, second by Nikki Roy to grant the requested waivers: Section E (1) (2) (4) (5) (12) (17) (18) (19) (20). Vote on waivers: 5/0. Further discussion is held on the site plan including lighting, signage, and driveway access. Joann Bailey asks if the driveway curb cut might be reduced in size. Rick Wolf (who is in the audience) remarks that the school buses drivers use the driveway entrance to turn their buses around at least twice each day. After further discussion, it is agreed not to request any changes to the curb cut.

Motion is made by Alden Dill, second by Joann Bailey to approve the site plan with the following conditions:

1. all necessary local, state and federal permits must be obtained

2. snow storage area to be shown on the plan

3. outside lighting shall be in compliance with the zoning ordinance

4. a note be added on the plan to reference that the well location is shown on the septic design

5. signage shall be in compliance with the zoning ordinance

Vote on the motion: 5/0.

Selectmen Edwards leaves the meeting at 8:07 pm

CASE: 06-04: S. Scott Piper Trust, Ridge Road. Map 219; Lot 32. Applicant is seeking subdivision of 16.2 Ac. into 5 lots.  Jim Hanley of Engineering Alliance is present and is representing the owner, Scott Piper, who is in the audience.

The application is reviewed and a motion is made by Alden Dill, second by Joann Bailey to accept the application as complete. Vote: 4/0.

Alden Dill opens the public hearing at 8:14 pm and reads the abutters list. None are present. Mr. Hanley gives an overview of the proposal which is a standard subdivision, to create 5 lots. All lots have road frontage on Ridge Road. The items listed in the TRC minutes are reviewed. Lengthy discussion is held on the possible need to provide culverts for driveways. Mr. Hanley explains that there is a slope away from the road so there is no water draining in a ditch along the sides of the road; the water is draining into the lot. It is noted that there is one well within the wetland setback. Mr. Hanley states he will address the location of the well. Board members are in agreement they would like to have a site walk on the property and one is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, February 25 at 9 am. Ms. Smith will contact Chairman Reitter to see if he can attend. Calls will be made to notify Mr. Hanley and the board members if the site walk is confirmed; required public notice will be completed by Ms. Smith. Motion is made by Alden Dill, second by Russell Eldridge, to continue this application to March 23 at 7 pm. Mr. Dill announces that he will keep the public portion open. Vote on motion to continue: 4/0.

Selectmen Edwards returns to the meeting.

CASE: 06-05: Diane Bishop, 33 Yeaton Drive. Map 205; Lot 3. Applicant is seeking site plan review for an in home business of a salon with 537.5 sq. ft. of business floor space.    Gloria Yeaton is present to speak to the site plan for her daughter, who has provided written permission for Ms. Yeaton.

The application is reviewed for completeness and the TRC minutes are reviewed. Motion is made by Joann Bailey, second by Nikki Roy to accept the application. Vote: 5/0.Motion is made by Alden Dill, second by Joann Bailey to accept waiver requests as written. Vote: 5/0. Ms. Yeaton states this is a one person salon. Business will be by appointment, so the need for parking is minimal. The hours of operation will be 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Ms. Yeaton states that the house is setback from the road and will not impact any neighbors. The board reviews that photographs that were submitted with the application as well as the proposed plot plan. It is noted that the sign will be located on Ms. Bishop’s property, near the driveway entrance. Motion is made by Alden Dill, second by Lucy Edwards to approve the site plan with the following conditions: Further information is distributed to members, which was added to the application based on comments of the TRC meeting. Alden Dill opens the public hearing at 8:30 pm and reads the abutters’ list. None are present. Waiver requests and the rationale for the request are reviewed.

1. all necessary local, state and federal permits be obtained

2. signage is to be in compliance with the zoning ordinance

Vote on motion: 5/0.

Preliminary Conceptual Consultation:

Joseph McCaffrey, 280 Harmony Road. Map 123, Lot 4. Applicant is seeking to subdivide 5 acres, creating a new lot towards the back part of the original lot. He requests feedback on waiver from minimum lot. Discussion is held on the design of the lot width with Alden stating he is not in favor of reduced lot width, Nikki Roy states she would consider this. It is recommended that the board would be more likely to consider a 75’ or greater lot width, rather than less than this.

Motion to adjourn is accepted at 10:02 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Smith,

Board Administrator

TOWN OF NORTHWOOD

PLANNING BOARD

Minutes - 2/23/06