MEETING MINUTES
SANBORNTON PLANNING BOARD
October 4, 2007
The meeting opened at 7:04 pm with the following members in attendance: Helmut Busack, Chairman; Don Bormes, Vice Chair; Steve Ober, Selectman’s Representative; Dick Gardner, Member; Carmine Cioffi; Member; Peter Dascoulias, Alternate and Bob Ward, Town Planner.
1. Roll Call
As listed above. Absent were: Cindy Merchant, Evelyn Auger, Terry Lewis and Mary Earley, Alternates.
2. Seating of Alternates
N/A
3. Old Business
a. Master Plan
Bob Ward updated the Board members on the Master Plan Advisory Committee’s (MPAC) progress. He stated that Wayne Elliott, Department of Public Works, had been replaced by John Thayer as Mr. Elliott has a conflicting meeting for the date of the scheduled MPAC meetings. Mr. Ward stated that the first draft of the Community Survey had been presented to the MPAC and that currently, a revision is being drafted for adoption at the November meeting so that the Survey’s can be distributed in November. Bob Ward stated that the idea of neighborhood meetings was discussed at the MPAC meeting. These neighborhood meetings would be used to gather information from the various areas in Town. He stated that the sections to be included in the Master Plan Revision were also briefly
discussed and the three sections that will definitely be included are a vision section, land use section (both mandated by NHRSA) and a transportation section (technically not a mandatory section but highly important). The rest of the sections will be determined by the Community Survey. Mr. Ward also stated that the need for elderly housing and transportation services for seniors were discussed and will likely be part of the Community Survey, as well as questions pertaining to a “walkable” community and Conservation lands. Don Bormes stated that if questions pertaining to elderly housing are included then it is also necessary to include a question as to where the housing should be located. Dick Gardner expressed a need for “affordable worker housing”. Chair Busack stated that Sanbornton has the most affordable worker housing available in the region. Although no mobile home parks are allowed in Town, mobile homes are allowed in all Agricultural Zones. Chair
Busack asked Bob Ward to identify all zones where workforce housing is allowed.
Bob Ward showed a Road System Base Map that is currently being worked on by himself, Wayne Elliott of the Department of Public Works (DPW) and Rob Jutton of Assessing. He stated that the Road System Base Map and all other Town maps will have the same scale. He stated that this map will be prepared with technical support from LRPC and will provide GPS locations for road ends, intersections, bridges and culverts. The current project is to identify all roads and their classifications as well as correct road names. Chair Busack stated that all Class VI roads should show the area of termination as not all are usable and no longer connect. Bob Ward stated that there is also an Existing Land Use Map being worked on which will identify and locate all the buildings in Town using
aerial photography. This will be used to develop a Future Land Use Map, which is key to the Master Plan.
b. Zoning Amendments
Bob Ward stated that he had received an e-mail from Bill Whalen from the Zoning Board regarding the omitted amendments in the Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Whalen stated, in the e-mail, that the incorporation of all zoning amendments into the Ordinance should be a top priority. The Planning Board’s previous stance on this was to move forward but not as an emergency issue. Mr. Ward asked the Board how they would like to proceed so that priority guidelines can be established for this project. Dick Gardner made a motion that the Planning Board supports the pursuit of updating the Zoning Ordinance to comply with Town Meeting vote as an important, but not extreme priority project, seconded by Don Bormes. Chair Busack stated that this is an issue because once the Planning Board is
aware of the problem, if something gets approved, then it could be illegal. Bob Ward asked how this should fit into the Town Planners current work schedule. Should he drop everything else and get it done or continue to work steadily on it until completion. Dick Gardner stated that it is in the motion. Peter Dascoulias stated that the question is in the implementation. Chair Busack called for a vote on the motion. Yes – 4, No – 1, motion carried.
c. Land Use definitions
Bob Ward stated that he had contacted The Planning Board’s attorney (Bernie Waugh) concerning the development of a “uniform set” of land use definitions. There are currently three separate sets of land use definitions in three separate land use ordinances (Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations and Site Plan Review Regulations). Attorney Waugh stated that all definitions should comply with the Zoning Ordinance
The goal is to have one unified set of definitions for all three regulations. Any definitions not currently in the Zoning Ordinance can be brought to Town Meeting for a vote and then incorporated.
d. Subdivision Regulation amendment process
Bob Ward stated that he has spoken to Chief DeSilva, Sanbornton Fire Department, regarding the Subdivision Regulations and has discussed some of the issues with him. He further stated that Chief DeSilva has agreed to a joint meeting with the Planning Board. John Hubbard and Wayne Elliott of the DPW will also be invited to this meeting and Mr. Ward will extend the invitation next week. Bob Ward asked for confirmation from the Board to have this meeting at the November Workshop. This meeting will address a range of planning issues dealing with roads, fire protection and storm water management.
4. Old Business
a. Review proposed Planning Board budget for FOY ’09 (July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009)
Bob Ward reviewed the proposed budget for FY ’09 with the Board. The salaries for the Planner and Secretary include a 2% COLA increase. The only other significant changes were to the printing account which went from $250 to $4,000. This figure includes printing of the Master Plan and has also been changed to include mapping which is being done for the Master Plan. Also, the account for LRPC / Membership Dues has gone from $4,100 to $2,600 bringing the total proposed budget to $39,551 (not including FICA and Medicaid).
b. Policy discussion re: listing LRPC as a link on Sanbornton Planning Board website
Bob Ward stated that this question results from a request from the Town Administrator to have this link included on the Planning Board’s website. At the current time all other links on this page are internal ones for land use regulations, planning information and land use applications. Dick Gardner stated that it is a legitimate planning site and should be included and also stated that he feels that Bob Ward should be trusted to make this type of decision in the future. Chair Busack stated that this will link a Municipal Government site to a private site. Don Bormes made a motion to include the Lakes Region Planning Commission as a link on the Planning Board site, seconded by Steve Ober. All in favor, motion carried.
c. Joint Meeting with NHDES re: Stormwater Management for Gray Road / Maple Circle
Bob Ward stated that invitations to attend this meeting with NHDES have gone out to the Department of Public Works, Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board. Mr. Ward is asking for the Planning Board’s permission to attend the meeting and act as its representative and will report back to the Board the results of the meeting. All agreed that Mr. Ward will represent the Planning Board for this meeting.
5. Other Business
N/A
6. Planners Update
Bob Ward stated that he had spoken to Attorney Waugh’s office regarding the participation of Alternates during and following a Public Hearing. Attorney Waugh and his associate (Attorney Tanguay) agreed that there is no RSA and no case law which limits an Alternate’s participation. However, it was the recommendation of the attorney that a formal policy be made by the Board which would limit the Alternate’s participation to the public comment section, following which time the alternates would be asked to abstain from further deliberation. Dick Gardner stated that it is a long standing policy in Town to encourage Alternates to participate up to the time that a vote is taken. Don Bormes stated that he recalls a decision made within the last 1 ½ years to
involve Alternates up to the vote. Chair Busack stated that this policy is on the advice of the Sanbornton Planning Board’s Attorney. Steve Ober stated that the Chairman could announce to the public that Alternates are not allowed to participate in the final discussion (after the public portion of the Public Hearing is closed) or the vote. Peter Dascoulias stated that this would negate the need for Alternates to attend meetings but further stated that he can understand both aspects of the issue. Bob Ward stressed the importance of having alternates involved and informed because at some point an alternate may need to be seated for an absent full member in order to have a voting quorum.
7. Meeting Adjourned
Steve Ober made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Don Bormes. All in favor, motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:47 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carole Chase
Recording Secretary
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