HOLDERNESS PLANNING BOARD
PO BOX 203
HOLDERNESS, NH 03245
Minutes: May 21, 2009
Members Present: Todd Elgin, Peter Francesco, Ron Huntoon, Carl Lehner, Woodie Laverack - Selectmen Alternate Liaison, and Robert Snelling
Members not Present: Randy Currier, Earl Hansen, David Horton, and Suzanne Peoples
Staff Present: David Lorch – Planner
Others Present: Dick Stevens, Kelly Longly, Tony Randall, David Wittmann – Verizon
Call to Order: Mr. Snelling called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M.
Roll Call: Mrs. Huff called the roll.
Approval of Minutes: Mr. Elgin moved, seconded by Mr. Lehner, to approve the minutes of 4/16/09. Motion passed.
Informational Discussion: Modification of a residential building and construction of a horse shoe driveway for a proposed Montessori School on Holderness School property.
Mr. Stevens and Ms. Longly were present to provide information on the proposed project and to determine if a site plan application is required. The existing dwelling would be converted to a daycare/school for faculty members and the general public. The driveway would be changed for safety reasons. The dwelling would undergo interior changes only. Mr. Snelling stated that although a school is permitted in this district it seemed prudent to address issues such as change of use, septic upgrade, signage, lighting, parking, and notice to abutters through the site plan process; the Board agreed.
Mr. Snelling noted that the Board is considering a dark skies ordinance which may include a provision for converting existing outdoor lighting within a set time frame. Mr. Stevens was queried as to how that would impact the Holderness School. He stated that the school is in the process of making the change-over but would need several years at least to complete the project of converting over 100 outdoor lights.
New Applications:
Case #2009-05: Christopher J & Pamela R Hixon and Priscilla A Hixon
Request for subdivision for property located at 201 Seven Pines Road in the rural residential zone, map 228 lot 30.
The public hearing was opened at 6:47 P.M. Mr. Randall presented the application explaining that the existing lot of 22.3 acres would be subdivided into a new lot of 5.12 acres leaving the residual lot with 17.18 acres. Both lots would have an existing dwelling, with a well serving both dwellings. The required road frontage in the rural residential zone is 300’, but exceptions in the zoning ordinance allow for a lesser frontage if justified by sound planning. Mr. Randall explained that due to the location of the existing dwellings and the required setbacks from property lines, the maximum road frontage for the proposed new lot is 108’. The proposed subdivision will bring the dwellings into compliance with the existing regulation of having one dwelling per lot. There was no comment from the public. A note
on the plat references the sound planning regulation.
Mr. Lehner moved, seconded by Mr. Huntoon, to accept the application as complete. Motion passed. Mr. Elgin moved, seconded by Mr. Huntoon, to approve the subdivision application as presented. Motion passed. The public hearing was closed at 6:58 P.M.
Case #2009-06: Verizon Wireless
Request for site plan review for property owned by Independent Towers of VT located at 203 Smith Road in the rural residential zone, map 224 lot 19.
The public hearing was opened at 7:00 P.M. Mr. Wittmann, attorney for Verizon Wireless, explained that the plat submitted represented current conditions on the property. It is a 2.7 acre lot owned by Independent Towers of VT. The cell tower, owned by SBA Corporation, was permitted in 1992 and replaced in 2008. There are antennae for Verizon, US Cellular, and the National Weather Service on the tower. In 2008 approval of a building permit for a 4’ x 8’ generator pad was granted; subsequently, in February 2009 the contractor was notified of the need for a site plan review. Mr. Wittmann noted that there were no other changes to the property affecting the tower equipment, tower height, or equipment shelter. The generator is for back-up purposes if the batteries run out and has an interior fuel tank. He requested
waiver for providing a detailed site plan per the site plan regulations.
Mr. Huntoon moved, seconded by Mr. Lehner, to waive submission of detailed site plans. During brief discussion it was agreed that detailed site plans would not provide any further information regarding current conditions of existing equipment on the site. Mr. Lorch explained that Mr. Hansen had expressed concern regarding obtaining an accurate inventory of current conditions, noting that any further changes would require an amended site plan. Motion passed. Mr. Huntoon moved, seconded by Mr. Lehner, to accept the application as complete. Motion passed. Mr. Elgin moved, seconded by Mr. Huntoon, to approve the site plan application as submitted. Motion passed. The public hearing was closed at 7:14 P.M.
Other Business
1. Dark Skies ordinance
Mr. Elgin explained that the proposed draft is a compilation of ordinances and requested the members review it for discussion at the June meeting. He initiated brief discussion regarding the grandfather clause, which would require existing outdoor lighting to be converted to dark skies lighting within five years of passage of the ordinance. Concerns over financial hardship for property owners, enforcement, and data of existing lighting were briefly discussed.
2. Building permits on Huckins Hill Road, a Class VI Road
Mr. Lorch explained that the Board of Selectmen are concerned that further development of Huckins Hill Road will cause further deterioration of current road conditions and want to establish standards for this road. The Board of Selectmen would like the Planning Board to approve a policy for a moratorium on building permits on Huckins Hill Road until the road is brought to standards approved by the Selectmen. Mr. Snelling and Mr. Huntoon expressed concern regarding establishing road standards road by road and Mr. Francesco felt that the role of the Planning Board was review only, not establishment of policy for Class VI road standards.
After further reading of RSA 674:41 I(c), Mr. Snelling moved, seconded by Mr. Francesco, that the Planning Board, who has authority to comment on building permits on Class VI roads, declines to comment since there is no building permit currently before the Board. Motion passed.
3. Lakes Region Planning Commission assistance with groundwater protection
Mr. Snelling explained that Mr. Hansen would like approval to apply to the LRPC for assistance to develop an ordinance which will deal with groundwater quality of the aquifer.
Mr. Francesco moved, seconded by Mr. Huntoon, to authorize application to the Lakes Region Planning Commission for assistance with developing a groundwater protection ordinance. Motion passed.
4. Future Board review and discussion
Mr. Lorch requested that members prioritize proposed tasks of the Planning Board for the remainder of the year, including but not limited to: groundwater protection, work force housing, septic assessment around the lake, Master Plan revisions, zoning ordinance reorganization, and PSU audit.
5. Mr. Snelling encouraged attendance at a program regarding demographic changes and their effect on NH communities being presented at PSU on May 26, 2009.
Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Wendy J. Huff
Secretary
Minutes Approved: June 18, 2009
Corrections:
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