Planning Board

Site Walk Minutes

June 19, 2008

Official as of July 10, 2008

The Planning Board met June 19 at 6:05 p.m. for a site walk regarding a proposed two lot subdivision for Case 08-04, David and Deborah Church, 227 Ridge Road, Map 219; Lot 4. The actual site walk was at the proposed location for the new lot accessed by Ridge Road.

PRESENT: Chair Nikki Roy, George Jabre, Alternates Victoria Parmele and Scott Campbell, and Board Secretary Lisa Fellows-Weaver.

Also present were owners David and Deborah Church, abutters Lawrence and Sheri Guptill, John Williamson, Jim Steger, and Ben Dryer from Underwood Engineering.

Board members reviewed the proposed plans of the project and Mr. Church provided an overview of the project. He explained that the proposal is to divide the existing 7.3 lot into two lots. The access to the site would be from Range Road as there is steep hill which would make access from Ridge Rd. difficult.  He stated that he is proposing Range Rd. as the driveway for the lot as it is in much better condition than the Ridge Road entrance. The board walked the road to the proposed location and Mr. Dryer asked if the proposal was to use Range Road strictly as a driveway for the proposed lot. Mr. Church replied that it was.

Mr. Church showed the proposed lot layout and proposed location for the house. He explained that he does not want to block any views of the abutters. He added that there would be no lighting entering onto the abutter’s properties. 

A brief discussion was held regarding the steep slope areas to Ridge Road and the requirement of the 25% slope. Ms. Roy stated that the lot has 1.9 acres that are greater than 25%; however, the buildable area requirement has been met. Also noted were agricultural soils as noted on the plans.

Ms. Roy referred to other subdivisions within the area and noted that the road would need to be upgraded to the end of the property boundary. She requested that this language be reviewed for the June 26 meeting. She explained RSA 674:41 regarding how this statute affects building on roads. Additional discussion was held regarding the specific status of this road either as a private road or Class VI road. 

Mr. Church stated that there will be no additional traffic flow to the area only a few cars for the owners. He added that he would still propose the dead end sign. He explained that he has cut and removed brush from the road and has added top quality gravel to the road.

A question was asked about the drainage. Ms. Roy stated that there appears to be some drainage issues. She added that drainage is an important criteria that the board will review when discussing the road issues.

Ms. Roy provided an explanation of the process of road proposals. She stated that it is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain road proposals. She stated that an engineered plan must be presented and the road would need to be completed in order to obtain a conditional approval. Mr. Church stated that nothing needs to be done to the road and he requested that recommendations or guidelines be provided so that he could sell the new lot. Bonding was discussed as was the process of obtaining a building permit. Ms. Roy stated that the planning board and the applicant need to agree on the road issue as it is a part of the subdivision process. Mr. Dryer explained that he has been hired by the town to review the road and be objective. Mr. Church stated that he feels that the board is not being fair with his proposal and that he was misled as to the purpose of the funds provided, which were used to establish an escrow account.

Abutters present expressed concern with drainage along the road and upgrades proposed to the road. Mr. Guptill inquired as to construction of the road and site. Ms. Roy explained that no construction can begin on the lot until there is an approval from the planning board.

Pictures of the proposed lot and road were taken by Mr. Dryer. 

The site walk adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa Fellows-Weaver
Board Secretary