DRAFT
MEETING MINUTES
SANBORNTON PLANNING BOARD
March 6, 2008
The meeting opened at 7:15 pm with the following members in attendance: Helmut Busack, Chairman; Dick Gardner, Member; Peter Dascoulias, Alternate; and Bob Ward, Town Planner.
1. Roll Call
As listed above.
Absent were: Don Bormes, Vice Chair; Carmine Cioffi, Member; Cindy Merchant, Alternate; Evelyn Auger, Alternate and Terry Lewis, Alternate.
Guests: Brad Crosby, Sanbornton Conservation Commission
2. Seating of Alternates
Peter Dascoulias was seated for Don Bormes.
3. Old Business
a. Discussion with Ralph Carter re: LRPC Transportation Advisory Committee, LRPC Transportation Plan, and DOT 10-year plan
Ralph Carter was not able to attend due to illness. This matter was tabled to the next workshop meeting.
4. New Business
a. Meeting with Sanbornton Conservation Commission re: subdivision review process and Land Conservation Area requirements
Bob Ward stated that Brad Crosby of the Sanbornton Conservation Commission was in attendance to discuss the involvement of the Conservation Commission in the subdivision process. Mr. Crosby stated that the Conservation Commission would like to be involved earlier in the process so that circumstances such as what happened in the Tripp subdivision concerning conservation land do not happen again. The Subdivision Regulations provide for two very specific options concerning Land Conservation Area Requirements and one option which is very general. This is creating a lot of small, disconnected areas of conservation land which in most circumstances does not result in effective conservation management nor does it allow the Conservation Commission to be able to access the land in
order to monitor it properly. Mr. Crosby also explained that the Conservation Commission is not compelled to accept any conservation easement, but rather that they have to be willing to accept it as well as the owner willing to give it. Chair Busack stated that either way the conservation easements still preserve the section of land which is set aside. Mr. Crosby stated that if the Conservation Commission knows of a pending easement sooner they can make suggestions pertaining to it which will increase the effectiveness of the set aside. Bob Ward stated that Evelyn Auger is the liaison to the Conservation Commission which was s step in the right direction to increase communication between both boards. There are two options to bring the Conservation Commission into the process for subdivisions where conservation easements are applicable. The first would be to send a packet out to the Conservation Commission when the meeting packets are sent out to the members of the Planning Board.
This will notify them at the same time as the Planning Board of an up coming subdivision. The second would be to involve them the same way that the Fire and Police Departments are currently involved. This option would include the Conservation Commission on the “review and comment” check list and would require a written response from them. Bob Ward suggested having the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission speak with Attorney Waugh concerning public versus private rights to land to ensure that all conservation easements are handled properly. Dick Gardner stated that he would like to see what type of information could be obtained prior to contracting Attorney Waugh. Bob Ward stated that the Lakes Region Land Trust could possibly be a very helpful contact concerning this. He stated that he will contact them concerning this and report back to the Board at the April workshop and will also check with the LRPC.
3. Old Business
a. Master Plan status report
Bob Ward stated that the past two meetings of the Master Plan Committee (MPAC) have been canceled due to bad weather conditions. Mr. Ward further stated that the Community Survey has been delivered to the printer and should be back at the office and ready for distribution by next week. The return date identified on the survey is March 31, 2008.
Mr. Ward stated that the MPAC will continue working on the Transportation Section of the Master Plan and will be looking at obtaining traffic counts on various roads to help them to better classify transportation corridors on Sanbornton’s local roads. Mr. Ward further stated that he had contacted LRPC for information regarding traffic counts in the area. The cost would be approximately $60 per meter per week, could be conducted from May 1st to November 1st and there are 10 – 12 traffic count meters available for use. Chair Busack suggested that the information be brought to the Board of Selectmen because they are in charge of the road system in Town. Bob Ward stated that the traffic counts could be used to develop a Transportation Improvement
Plan (TIP). Dick Gardner suggested bring all the information to the MPAC for discussion prior to any decisions being made.
Bob Ward stated that a 1998 aerial photo with leaves off will be used to develop a Future Land Use map as the 1998 photo is the most current aerial photography available with leaves off.
c. Continued review of Planning Board “Rules of Procedure”
Tabled until more voting members are present.
4. New Business
b. Consideration of Zoning Amendments for Town Meeting 2008
Bob Ward stated that he had developed a list seven of possible amendments to the Zoning Ordinance for Town Meeting 2008.
The possible new amendments for discussion are as follows.
1. Change the setback in the Shore Front District from 40’ to 50’: The purpose of this amendment would be to bring the Town Ordinance in line with the new comprehensive NH DES Shore Land Protection Act. All agreed that this amendment should be included in the proposed amendment package for the Town Meeting.
2. Unified definitions: Bob Ward explained that the definitions in the three sets of Town Land Use regulations are not consistent. By adopting a comprehensive set of definitions into the Zoning Ordinance, the Subdivision Regulations and Site Plan Review Regulations could adopt them by reference. This would unify all the definitions. All agreed that this amendment should also be included.
3. Map Corrections: Bob Ward stated that the Town Zoning Map has several errors and further stated that this would be a possible amendment for 2009 Town Meeting as the process of correcting the map will be time consuming and does not feel that it could be ready for this year’s meeting. All agreed that this should be worked on, but can wait until next years meeting.
4. Height Limit: Bob Ward stated that there is a height restriction in the Shore Front Overlay Zone but that is non-existent in all other zones. The’ proposed 35’ height limit is standard to residential buildings and is optimal for fire fighting and helps to preserve the rural character of the Town. All agreed that this amendment should be proposed for Town Meeting.
5. Erosion Control: Bob Ward stated that this provision should not be included in the Zoning Ordinance. The optimum place for the erosion control standards is in regulations that deal with site plans and subdivisions as it is a development regulation and does not have to do with use or density. All agreed that it be proposed to remove this reference from the Zoning Ordinance and then placed into the Subdivision Regulations and Site Plan Review Regulations at a later date.
6. New section to provide the duties of the Code Enforcement Officer/Building Inspector. The Planning Board felt that this matter could be dealt with at a later date.
7. Allow 2 family residential where single family residential is now permitted. The Planning Board did not agree to include this amendment in the package for Town Meeting.
Bob Ward stated that the notice for a Public Hearing regarding the proposed Zoning amendments needs to be in by March 14, 2008 in order to provide time for two public hearings, if necessary.
6. Planners Update
Bob Ward stated that he sent an e-mail to Attorney Bernie Waugh requesting guidance regarding the condominium conversion which is being proposed, and will keep the Board informed on this matter.
7. Adjournment
Peter Dascoulias made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Dick Gardner. All in favor, motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:58 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Carole Chase
Recording Secretary
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