PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
SANBORNTON PLANNING BOARD
APRIL 19, 2007
The meeting opened at 7:15pm with the following members in attendance: Don Bormes, Vice Chairman; Dick Gardner, Member, Cindy Merchant, Alternate, Carmine Cioffi, Alternate and Bob Ward, Town Planner.
Public in attendance and speaking: Arthur Lewellen
1. Role Call
Members present as listed above.
Absent: Helmut Busack, Chairman; Andrew Livernois, Selectmen’s Representative; Ralph Carter, Member and Peter Dascoulias, Alternate.
2. Seating of Alternates
Cindy Merchant was seated for Helmut Busack and Carmine Cioffi was seated for Ralph Carter.
4. New Business
None
5. New Business
a. Voluntary Merger: Lewellen/Tax Map/Lot 15-113 & 12-112
Bob Ward explained that State and Town statutes do not require a public hearing for voluntary mergers. Mr. Arthur Lewellen explained that this merger consists of a house lot with an existing building and a connecting field at 1254 New Hampton Road. Bob Ward stated that any owner of two or more contiguous preexisting approved or subdivided lots who wishes to merge them for any reason shall apply to the Planning Board. Except for when such merger will create a violation of current ordinances, all such requests will be approved by the Planning Board. No new survey plat needs to be recorded but notice of the merger needs to be filed with the Belknap County Registry of Deeds. Dick Gardner made a motion to approve the request for voluntary merger for Tax Map/Lot 15-112 &
15-113, seconded by Carmine Cioffi. All in favor, motion passed. Acting Chair Don Bormes signed the application as approved. Mr. Lewellen will file the documents with the Belknap County Registry of Deeds.
Peter Dascoulais, Alternate, joined the meeting at 7:25pm.
3. Action on Minutes
a. Regular meeting of March 15, 2007
Carmine Cioffi made a motion to accept the minutes of March 15, 2007 as presented, seconded by Dick Gardner. All in favor, motion passed.
b. Public Hearing on Zoning Amendments of March 19, 2007
Carmine Cioffi made a motion to accept the minutes of the Public Hearing of March 19, 2007 as presented, seconded by Dick Gardner. All in favor, motion passed.
c. Workshop meeting of April 5, 2007
Cindy Merchant made a motion to accept the minutes of April 5, 2007 as presented, seconded by Dick Gardner. All in favor, motion passed.
5. New Business
b. Discussion concerning use of land across town road from “lake front” property for development of “lake front” property.
Bob Ward explained that this is a general policy discussion as he has had some inquiries regarding joining parcels with the same owner on opposite sides of the road for the purpose of developing the “lake front” property. Should this go to the Zoning Board of Adjustments first before it comes to the Planning Board? Cindy Merchant stated that this should not be done at all and if it is, then all lots such as this should be considered, not just those on the lake front. Don Bormes stated that he feels it should go to the ZBA first. The area could be in two different zones and how do you classify that? He stated that this is inviting trouble. Bob Ward asked if this should go to the ZBA first and then to the Planning Board. Dick Gardner stated that he can not see how this would be possible at all.
Bob Ward stated that it is an example of “funnel development”. Don Bormes stated that each lot should stand on its own merit. The consensus of the Board was to go to the ZBA first on each lot separately and to not allow counting of “back land” property toward development of “lake front” property.
6. Other Business
a. Discussion Re: preparation for Public Hearing on proposed Subdivision amendments.
Bob Ward stated that notice of the public hearing concerning proposed amendments to the Subdivision Regulations was been posted on April 13, 2007 in the Laconia Citizen newspaper and in the Town Office lobby and outer kiosk. The notice was also posted at the library and in the Post Office. Copies of the full regulations have been available in the Town Clerk’s office and the Selectmen’s office since April 12, 2007. Carmine Cioffi suggested posting Planning Board documents such as public hearing notices and agendas at the Winnisquam Post Office also. It was agreed that this will begin immediately with Cindy Merchant posting the materials. Bob Ward stated that the hearing is scheduled to begin at 7:00pm on the 26th of April in the Town Office Meeting Room. The Board is free to adopt the
amendments at the close of the hearing. Bob Ward asked if the Board would like for notice of hearings and meetings to be posted on the Town’s master calendar on the web site. Dick Gardner stated that if we are going to do that then it needs to be done 100% of the time. He feels that all documents relating to the Planning Board should be digitized and placed on the web site for the public to have access to. Bob Ward stated that currently, the Site Plan Review regulations as well as the Subdivision Regulations are on the web site, as well as applications. The Town’s Master Plan is in the process of being digitized by the Planning Board secretary and is near completion. Bob Ward asked if an article, in the form of a press release, should be written and submitted to the newspapers concerning the subdivision regulation amendments. The Board agreed that this would be a great idea and would like it submitted to the Sun and the Echo. The Board also requested that a copy of the
full set of regulations with amendments be posted on the Town’s web site. It was agreed that this document would be submitted to the web master at the close of the meeting.
b. Discussion Re: preparation for Town Meeting vote on proposed Zoning Amendments.
Bob Ward asked if the Board would also like a press release written for the Zoning Amendments for Town Meeting. The Board agreed that this would also be a great idea. Bob Ward stated that he has sent an invitation to the Zoning Board to attend that Planning Board Workshop on May 3, 2007. It is critical to clear up any questions regarding reasoning and rational of the Planning Board prior to the Town Meeting.
7. Planners Update
a. Correspondence
None
6. Other Business
Dick Gardner also asked for any updates on Steele Hill Resort. Bob Ward stated that there is a question of a land swap. The opinion of Steele Hill Resort was that they would not need to come back before the Planning Board. The issue has been reviewed by their attorney and the Town’s attorney. Both the Town’s attorney and the Planning Board’s attorney agree that any changes will require going through the site plan review process. This matter will need to be formally addressed at a regular Planning Board meeting as it was not on the agenda for this meeting.
8. Meeting Adjourned
Carmine Cioffi made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Dick Gardner. All in favor, motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Carole Chase
Recording Secretary
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