ANTRIM PLANNING BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
August 4, 2016
Regular Meeting
Members & Staff Present:
Chris Condon (Chair) Colleen Giffin (Planning Assistant) Janet McEwen (Member)
Michael Frosch (Member) Carol Ogilvie (Consultant Planner) John Robertson (Ex-Officio)
Elsa Voelcker (Alternate)
Members Absent: Bob Holmes (Member) Steve MacDonald (Member)
Jeanne Cahoon(Vice-Chair)
7:00PM Public Meeting:
Chair Condon opened the meeting at 7:00. He asked Elsa Voelcker to sit in for Bob Holmes.
Business Meeting
Approve July 21, 2016 Meeting Minutes
Mr. Frosch moved to accept the meeting minutes of July 21. Mr. Robertson seconded.
Discussion
Ms. McEwen moved to accept the amended meeting minutes of July 21 and Mr. Frosch seconded.
Vote: By a voice vote, all agreed.
Winston’s Preliminary Conceptual Consultation Follow-up
The other issue the surveyor brought up was the right-of-way that runs from lot 23 to lot 24.
Richard Winslow and his brother Edward Winslow own both pieces of property.
This was once a public right-of-way. The surveyor was unable to find any evidence
that this right-of-way was every legally abandoned by the town. This will have bearing
on the property line if this issue was never resolved.
Ms. McEwen asked if the road was abandoned by the town didn't the property
automatically resort back to the property owner? Ms. Ogilvie answered that the
road would eventually go back to a class six road, but without some sort of action
by the town, it would stay public property.
Richard Winslow is positive that the town had taken care of this sometime in the 1980’s.
He remembers coming before the Selectmen and being told it would be taken care of.
The family believes some sort of discussion did happen with the Selectmen because
when Smith road was moved over it was still on the Winslow’s property.
Nothing could be found at the registry of deeds. Chair Condon suggested that research
could be done here at the town hall. Mr. Robertson volunteered to look into it.
Mr. MacDonald suggested speaking with town counsel about what could be down if nothing
can be found in town records.
Antrim’s Home Business, Occupation/ Use application (See Attached)
Changes made in the ordinances by Ms. Ogilvie :
- To remove the Zoning Board of Adjustments from the process all together.
- Residents wishing to establish a Home-Based Business must register with the
- Land Use Office with no fee so that there is a record of something happening at that house.
Ms. McEwen asked if there would be a review sheet. Ms. Ogilvie said that would be what
the registration would be for, and either the Building Inspector or the Land Use Board Assistant
could do a review of the criteria with the business owner to see if they were opening a business or an occupation.
A discussion about retail shops ensued.
The Board is reluctant to put to many restrictions in the Home Business, Home Based Occupation.
Changes made in the ordinances by Ms. Ogilvie that were rejected by the Board:
- Section C part 6: The Board deemed having residents register their businesses with the
- town to be unnecessary unless complaints are made against said business.
Ms. McEwen made a motion to strike Line 6 from Section 3 Criteria of Article XIV-A Home Business. Mr. Frosch seconded.
Discussion.
Roll Call Vote: Mr. Frosch yes, Ms. McEwen yes, Chair Condon yes, Mr. Robertson yes, Ms. Voelcker yes
- Section C part 2: The Board decided that a specific number of employees was not needed in the as in the original ordinance.
Mr. Frosch made a motion to strike Line 2 Section 3 Criteria of Article XIV-A Home Business. Mr. Robertson seconded.
Discussion.
Roll Call Vote: Mr. Frosch yes, Ms. McEwen yes, Chair Condon yes, Mr. Robertson yes, Ms. Voelcker yes
- Section B part 2: The business can have one other employee besides the resident working in the home.
Ms. McEwen made a motion to strike Line 2 from Section B Criteria of Article XIV-A Home Business. Mr. Frosch seconded.
Ms. McEwen moved to amend this motion by also rewording the Definition of Home Occupation to her
original motion to strike Line 2 from Section B Criteria of Article XIV-A Home Business.
An activity conducted only by the resident(s) of the property and one other non –resident employee.
Examples include but are not limited to artists, desktop publishers, software developers, craftsmen,
and others who conduct business by mail or electronic communication.
Roll Call Vote: Mr. Frosch yes, Ms. McEwen yes, Chair Condon yes, Mr. Robertson yes, Ms. Voelcker yes
Chair Condon questioned the need for even having any criteria for a Home Based Occupation. With a clear
definition of what Home Based Business is, there is no need to have a definition for the Home Based Occupation.
Ms. Voelcker motioned to discard Home Based Occupation sections in the definitions as well as in the
Criteria sections of Article XIV-A Home Business. Mr. Frosch Seconded.
Discussion
The Board agreed that the best course of action would be to incorporate the
Home Based Occupation ordinance into the Home Based Business Ordinance.
The key Criteria in the Home Based Business Ordinance is in Section 3. A. 4:
The activity will not create objectionable noise, odor, vibration, smoke, dust,
heat, glare, electrical interference, any health or safety hazards, unsightly
conditions noticeable off the premises, or excessive traffic from customers, deliveries, or employees.
Roll Call Vote: Mr. Frosch yes, Ms. McEwen yes, Chair Condon yes, Mr. Robertson yes, Ms. Voelcker yes
Chair Condon brought up his concerns about Definitions B:
Activities that are not considered Home Businesses include but are not limited to:
yard sales; automotive/engine repair; and retail sales not associated with the Home Business.
Ms. Ogilvie will do a re-write of these changes and present them to the board at the next meeting.
Ms. Ogilvie wrote this draft ordinance using the Town of Dublin’s Alternative Energy Sources.
ARTICLE XIV - SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS Alternative Energy Systems: Solar,
wind power, geothermal or other renewable energy systems. (See Attached)
The Board discussed the difference between commercial alternative energy systems and residential systems being built by residents.
How would the town know if a resident built an alternative energy system
just for them or as a commercial venture? The Town Building Inspector as well as
Eversource will have to inspect and approve any new electrical box installation.
They would be aware of any large commercial enterprise.
Ms. Ogilvie will do a re-write of the changes the Board discussed and present them to the board at the next meeting.
Highway Business District
Chair Condon asked to lay the highway district mapping on the table for the next meeting.
Ms. Giffin brought a concern to the Boards attention of a few people living in campers
with no hook-ups or no electricity. Ms. Ogilvie found this:
Recreational Vehicles and Recreational Equipment: Trailers as defined within the
terms of this Zoning Ordinance and including travel trailers, pickup campers or coaches,
motorized homes, boat trailers and other recreational equipment may be parked or stored subject to the following requirements:
1. Major recreational equipment as defined for purposes of these regulations, includes travel trailers,
pickup campers or coaches, motorized dwellings, tent trailers, boats and boat trailers and the like, and cases
or boxes used for transporting recreational equipment whether occupied by such equipment or not.
2. Occupancy: No such units shall be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping purposes except under the following conditions:
Travel trailers, pickup campers or coaches, motorized dwellings and tent trailers may be temporarily
parked and occupied for sleeping and living purposes in areas other than designated recreation
vehicle parks or campgrounds but only in accordance with the following provisions:
a. The temporary parking and occupancy shall not exceed twenty—one (21) days.
b. Such units shall be parked on adequate off-street parking areas.
c. Such units may be parked and occupied as temporary housing on the same lot where a
dwelling is being constructed provided:
The unit will only be occupied six (6) months from issuance of a building permit
unless extended by the Board of Selectmen, regardless of (2)(a). below.
(2) Sanitary (domestic) sewage will be disposed of by using one of the following methods:
(a) The unit will be connected to the Town sewer system.
(b) The unit will be connected to a State-approved septic system.
(c) The unit will be served by a State-approved portable toilet facility.
(d) The unit will have its own self-contained sanitary system and formal
provisions will be made to have the sewage disposed at the Antrim Sewage Treatment Plant.
Correspondence:
E-mail Liz Kelly from Southwest Regional Planning Department.
Chair Condon will call Ms. Kelly about a meeting.
NH Timber Harvesting Law Conference
Motion: Mr. Robertson made a motion to adjourn Mr. Frosch seconded the motion.
Vote: By a voice vote, all agreed.
Meeting adjourned 8:09 pm
Respectfully Submitted By,
Colleen Giffin
Secretary of the Planning Board
ARTICLE XIV-A
HOME BUSINESS
(Adopted March 13, 2007; Amended March___ 2017)
1. PURPOSE
A. To allow residents of the community the use of their homes as a place of livelihood for the production or supplementing of personal and family income.
B. To protect the community at large and neighboring properties from potential adverse impacts of activities associated with home-based businesses.
C. To establish regulatory criteria and standards for home-based businesses based on the type and intensity of use.
2. DEFINITIONS
A. A Home Business is any commercial activity engaged in on any residential property that is secondary and incidental to the primary
residential use. The Town of Antrim recognizes two categories of Home Businesses, as follows:
(1) Home Occupation. An activity conducted only by the resident(s) of the property. Examples include but are
not limited to artists, desktop publishers, software developers, craftsmen, and others who conduct business by mail or electronic communication.
(2) Home-Based Business. An activity conducted by the resident(s) and may involve non-resident employees.
Examples include but are not limited to: lawyers, architects, accountants; personal services such as tailoring and
hair dressing; and small manufacturing operations, or construction and logging businesses that store equipment and materials on-site but work off-site.
B. Activities that are not considered to be Home Businesses include but are not limited to: yard sales;
automotive/engine repair; and retail sales not associated with the Home Business.
3. CRITERIA
A. Both categories listed above are subject to the following requirements. In addition, Home Occupations are
subject to the provisions in Paragraph B and Home-Based Businesses are subject to the provisions of Paragraph C.
(1) The business must be conducted by residents of the property.
(2) The activity must not change the character of the premises or surrounding neighborhood.
There shall be no window displays or other features not normally associated with residential use.
(3) Signage shall be in accordance with Article XVII, Section D.
(4) The activity will not create objectionable noise, odor, vibration, smoke, dust, heat, glare,
electrical interference, any health or safety hazards, unsightly conditions noticeable off the premises, or excessive traffic from customers, deliveries, or employees.
B. Home Occupations are permitted in all districts subject to the following:
(1) The activity must be conducted entirely within the residence or an accessory building.
(2) The business is conducted solely by residents of the property.
(3) Any customer visits to the property must be consistent with what is typical for a residential use.
C. Home-Based Businesses are permitted in all zoning districts by special exception from the Zoning Board of Adjustment subject to the following:
(1) The activity may be conducted within the residence or an accessory building.
(2) Up to six (6) people in addition to the resident(s) may be employed at the site.
(3) Parking for employees and customers must be accommodated off-street. , and parking areas
must be screened from the view of abutters and from public streets or pedestrian ways, utilizing plantings,
fencing, and/or topography. When possible, parking areas shall be located at the side or rear of the residence or accessory buildings.
(4) The business may be conducted in part outdoors, but all such activities, equipment, storage,
and parking areas shall be permanently screened from the view of abutters and from public ways by plantings,
fences, and/or topography and shall be set back a minimum of 50 feet from the side and rear property lines.
(5) No more than one quarter (25%) of the lot area, exclusive of areas covered by buildings,
shall be used for business activities, including outdoor storage or parking.
(6) Residents wishing to establish a Home-Based Business must register with the Land Use Office.
(6) Traffic to and from the property by either employees, customers and/or delivery vehicles shall not create noise,
congestion or safety issues for the surrounding area.
Alternative Energy Sources
Ms. Ogilvie wrote this draft ordinance using the Town of Dublin’s Alternative Energy Sources.
ARTICLE XIV - SUPPLEMENTAL REGULATIONS
X. Alternative Energy Systems: Solar, wind power, geothermal or other renewable energy systems.
- Residential Renewable Energy Systems are intended to provide power for the principal use of the property on
- which the energy system is located.
- These Systems shall not be used for the generation of power for the sale of energy to
- other users; however, this is not intended to prohibit the sale of excess power generated from time to time to the local utility company.
- These Systems are allowed by right in all zoning districts subject to:
- compliance with setbacks; and
- a building permit and electrical inspection to ensure compliance with electrical and building code requirements.
- Systems designed to produce hot water or heat do not require an electrical inspection if no additional wiring was needed.
- Non-Residential Renewable Energy Systems (except for commercial wind farms) are
- intended to provide power to a business or other non-residential use, or intended primarily to produce power for sale.
- These Systems are allowed in all zoning districts subject to a modified Site Plan Review by the Planning Board.
- The requirements for Site Plan Review include:
- Property lines and setbacks
- Physical features including roads
- Proposed changes to the landscape including clearing and grading
- All proposed structures and equipment.
- Current and proposed access to the site.
- Name, address, and contact information for the applicant/property owner, abutters, and proposed system installer.
- Interconnection agreement with the applicable utility.
- Operation, maintenance and decommissioning plan.
- Plan for safety of the system.
- Applications for PV solar systems shall also include:
- Blueprints or drawings of photovoltaic installation signed by a licensed engineer.
- Electric diagram detailing the installation, associated components and disconnects.
- Documentation of major system components, including the PV panels, mounting system and inverter.
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