The Town of Northwood, New Hampshire - Planning Board Minutes 03/12/09

January 14, 2009:
Page 2: Restate to read…but is also less than the buffer width of a 100 ft. recommended in A Guidebook for NH Municipalities.
Page 2: Delete: Ms. Parmele states that this would be a very complicated study.
Page 4: Change: plan to play
Page 4: Restate to read: She states that the 20 ft. and 50 ft. setbacks for lakefront properties are addressed by the CSPA, not by this proposed ordinance.
Pete Jones makes a motion to approve the minutes of January 14, 2009, as amended. Victoria Parmele states that she does not want to approve these minutes and she does not feel that the minutes capture what occurred at the meeting and expresses concern. She requests that the board review the set and address at another time. Mr. Jones withdraws his motion and postpones the minutes until March 26.

January 22, 2009, Non-Public:
Pete Jones makes a motion, second by Roger LeClerc, to accept the non-public minutes, as written. Motion passes unanimously; 4/0.

February 2, 2009:
Pete Jones makes a motion, second by Scott Campbell, to approve the February 2, 2009, as written. Motion passes unanimously; 4/0.

A discussion is held regarding the Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) offer to map the Shoreland Protection Overlay District. Mr. Jones states that the board may want to revisit this issue in the future.

CASE 09-06: George and Sherry Jackman, 7 Davlynn Drive. Map 234; Lot 41-Sublot 13. Applicants seek site plan review for proposed in home hair salon business.

The board reviews staff comments received from the board administrator, building department, and fire department.

Ms. Planchet states that the applicants did meet with the board as a preliminary consultation. She states that she expected that the plan would provide more details as to the parking area, etc. She adds that the applicant’s agent received a verbal okay to use the surveyed plans. She notes that she does not believe that the applicant would have any problems with providing additional information.

Ms. Planchet notes that there are many waiver requests and discussion ensues relative to the completeness of the application and the amount of waivers requested. A discussion is held regarding a different tier for site plan regulations, more specifically for home business. Mr. LeClerc states that he would just like the board to be consistent with applications.

The checklist is reviewed and Ms. Planchet asks about the state’s regulation and the board may want to request a copy of the license. She adds that the scale of the application should be corrected. Ms. Planchet goes over her notes on the checklist for other information which may be required. Other items noted include pedestrian walk, parking, dumpster location, existing and proposed landscaping information to be delineated, lighting, expected water usage, chemicals, off street parking information to be more specific, number of parking spaces required, buffer requirements to be determined, hours of operation to be shown on the plan.

Ms. Planchet will notify the applicant and make them aware of concerns of staff and give them the opportunity to consider the requests and respond as soon as possible.

OTHER BUSINESS:
Planner’s Items:
Legal Opinion: Ms. Planchet states that the Millstone Realty Trust application was continued to March 26; however, she adds that she was directed to review RSA 155-E relative to governing excavation. In doing so, she states that she contacted town council and copies of town counsel’s opinion are distributed and reviewed. The board discusses whether or not to make the legal opinion public and decides there was no reason to do this at this time.

Excavation Permits:
Ms. Planchet states that she has reviewed RSA 155-E and provides an overview and states that a permit must be obtained for any excavation being done. She provides a draft of a permit application and adds that the process would be done through a public hearing. The board reviews the draft permit application and fees are discussed. Ms. Planchet states that a fee would need to be established. Mr. LeClerc asks if the town can receive revenue from materials being excavated from a site similar to the state. Mr. Campbell states that it may not be appropriate as the town receives taxes already from the site.

Mr. Jones asks what kind of flexibility there is, if any, to modify the language to the degree of punctuation and redundancy. Lengthy discussion ensues regarding dust, vibrations, process of abutter’s notifications, noise levels, and pertaining to the permit application. Pete Jones makes a motion, second by Scott Campbell, to have the planner revise the draft per comments and send to legal counsel for review and proceed with the public hearing process. Mr. Campbell seconds and the motion passes unanimously; 4/0.

Masten Development and Sidewalks:
Ms. Planchet states that the Masten sidewalk issue will be on the April agenda. She asks if the board thinks that it is necessary to notify all old abutters involved with the original application. The board does not believe that it is necessary to notify abutters from the original application.

April Work Session:
Ms. Planchet states that she is not able to attend the April work session and asks the board if they would like to reschedule. The board agrees to have the meeting Wednesday, April 8.

New Members:
Ms. Planchet explains that the board does not have any alternate members at this time. She states that Mr. Campbell was an alternate, was then appointed to fill a regular member position, and the term of that position will expire this March. She explains that the board could ask if Mr. Campbell would consider being an alternate again. Ms. Planchet states that a former chair has expressed an interest in serving as an alternate as well.

Mr. Campbell replies that he may have to work some evening hours; however, would not mind serving as an alternate. Mr. Jones states that he would like to see Mr. Campbell remain on the board. He adds that he has been lobbying Mr. Bell. The board agrees to not advertise the alternate positions.

Pete Jones makes a motion, second by Victoria Parmele, to appoint Scott Campbell as an alternate, with a term to expire 2011. Motion passes; 4/0.

Pete Jones makes a motion, second by Victoria Parmele to appoint Patrick Bell as an alternate member with a 3 year term to expire March 2012. Motion passes; 4/0.

Development Ordinance:
Ms. Planchet states that the proposed development ordinance amendments passed and she plans to incorporate the amendments into the reformatting of the ordinances.

Transportation Update:
Ms. Parmele states that there is a lot going on as far as transportation in the state. She states that Northwood is currently not on any list to receive any funds. She states that she is the town’s representative on the TAC committee and she would like to get the planning board and selectmen more aware. She states that Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) will be meeting with towns in the region to talk about transportation priorities for the town. She explains that there are a few sources of funding that Northwood may still be able to receive and SRPC will be assisting Northwood in receiving these funds.

Ms. Parmele requests that the planning board members receive copies of information from SRPC and that the information be mailed out prior to the next meeting. She suggests that electronic versions be received.

Discussion ensues regarding the center of town and goals of the board relative to transportation. Mr. Jones asks what the town would do if there were funds or funding available. Ms. Parmele states that transportation planning should be done, corridor planning. She explains that there are grants available for corridors planning. She adds sidewalk funding is available as well when it pertains to schools. Mr. Jones suggests that the Master Plan Committee be involved for ideas and to begin making progress. He then states that maybe nothing should be done.

Ms. Parmele states that she would like to see a central means of transportation to Concord to reduce traffic on Rte. 4. She adds that there were members on the highway committee who discussed a bypass through town. She feels that it is time that the town discusses this and update information. Additional discussion ensues regarding studies and construction proposed by NHDOT.

Mr. Jones makes a motion to adjourn, second by Mr. LeClerc. 10:00 p.m. Motion passes; 4/0.

Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Fellows-Weaver
Board Secretary

[ Back ]

top of page