HOLDERNESS PLANNING BOARD
PO BOX 203
HOLDERNESS, NH 03245
Minutes: January 6, 2009
Members Present: Todd Elgin, Earl Hansen – Chair, Ron Huntoon, Nancy Scothorne, and Robert Snelling
Members not Present: Randy Currier, David Horton, and Suzanne Peoples
Staff Present: David Lorch – Planner
Others Present: Sam Brickley
Call to Order: Mr. Hansen called the meeting to order at 6:32 P.M. and opened the Public Hearing for the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments.
Zoning Ordinance Amendments
The Board reviewed the proposed amendments as follows:
- Shoreline Structures: change the wording of the notice to reflect deletion of items 1-5 and change ‘no authority’ to ‘limited authority.’
- Lot Mergers: The Board reviewed counsel’s comments which suggest he would not delete the language as noticed. After discussion it was agreed to not delete Article VII, C, but to change ‘shall’ to ‘may.’
- Floodplain Ordinance: Although counsel approved this language, Mr. Hansen felt it was a “housekeeping” item and did not require being placed on the ballot. It will be omitted.
- Wood-Fired Hydronic Heaters: Sam Brickley suggested that the proposed language of a 100’ setback rather than the state 50’ setback restricted property owners in the rural residential district from the best placement. He recommended using the proposed language for the commercial district only. Mr. Snelling noted that the language was proposed due to environmental considerations more than setback issues and that a property owner could seek a variance for best placement. Mr. Hansen stated that most setback issues are for stationary structures, but this ordinance involves possible wind-blown smoke and an attempt should be made to protect abutters. It was agreed to use the language recommended by counsel ‘to further restrict RSA 125-R:4.”
- Small Wind Energy Systems: Counsel noted that the Board had no authority to require site plans for residential use. There was discussion regarding whether a wind tower was a residential or commercial use, with the Board ultimately agreeing that it was a residential use. The Board agreed to remove the site plan requirement from the proposed ordinance. The definition for tower height was changed in response to Counsel’s note that the definition read as a regulation rather than a definition.
Mr. Lorch had inserted a proposed amendment to make non-substantive changes to correct spelling, grammar, and numbering. Mr. Hansen again stated this was not needed on the ballot, but cautioned care in changing grammatical errors which could change the intent of an ordinance.
There was brief discussion of several items recommended by Mr. Lorch for consideration on the ballot if another public hearing was required. Mr. Hansen stated there had been no substantive changes made and a second public hearing would not be needed. Changes to non-conforming structures will be considered for 2010. Mr. Hansen also suggested making an appendix for all the statutes that are referenced in the ordinance to make it easier to review.
The public hearing was closed at 7:18 P.M. Mr. Hansen moved, seconded by Mr. Huntoon, to send the proposed amendments as revised to town meeting vote. Motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Wendy J. Huff
Secretary
Minutes Approved: January 15, 2009
Corrections: none
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