Planning Board
March 18, 2009
Members Present: Chair Francoise Cusson, Ralph Collins, David Morin, Richard Merrill, Laura Jamison, Greg Estrella, Susan Tremblay
Members Excused: Lucien Langlois, Ernie Allain, Julie Cooney, Aline Boucher, Councilor Tom McCue, Jennifer Boucher
Members Absent: Richard Cassidy, Andre Duchesne
Others Present: Paul Cusson, Al McClain
Chair Cusson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and appointed Richard Merrill, Laura Jamison, and Greg Estrella as voting members
Public Comments - None
Review of Recommendations from Horizons Engineering Regarding Location of Driveway Entrance for Berlin Falls Realty
Ms. Laflamme explained that the time frame on this project is tight and the applicant anticipates closing on the property Thursday of this week. Mr. McClain is hoping that the Planning Board will reconsider the condition of a traffic study which was placed on the approval of site plan review of the proposed courthouse building on Main Street. Mr. McClain has asked his engineering firm Horizons, to come up with recommendations to address the Planning Board’s concerns with traffic congestions in the area.
In a letter to the Planning Board, Horizons proposes to revise the entrance to the property by altering the separation between driveways. The original was approximately 60 feet and the entrance has been modified to approximately 85 feet which will cut down the congestion issue.
Lucien Langlois was not present at the meeting but he wanted an e-mail he’d written to be read. In the communication, he expressed BWW’s concern about a cast iron water line in the area. If a traffic study were to suggest moving the entrance or removing the ledge from the property, the pipe could be jeopardized.
Ms. Jamison summarized a conversation in which employees at a local business speculated that accidents are caused by the ledge berm on the property because people can’t see around the corner. Ms. Laflamme reported that at a City Council Traffic Safety Committee, Brian Valerino indicated that there have been 15 accidents which is not an unreasonable number over 12 years.
Ms. Laflamme added that the City Council Traffic Safety Committee was asked if they would consider recommending an ordinance that would increase the parking prohibition on the east side of Main Street in between the Woodlands Credit Union exit and the new entrance to the courthouse building. There would be no parking between signs from forty feet south of the new entrance to the courthouse and forty feet north of the Woodlands Credit Union exit. The City Council agreed that it is a reasonable change and will have the ordinance up for first reading at their next meeting.
Mr. McClain is asking that the Planning Board amend the vote to remove the condition of a traffic study.
Public Hearing
Chair Cusson opened the public hearing at 6:45 pm.
Paul Cusson suggested having yield signs on Main Street to slow the traffic in the area. Mr. Merrill noted that the main route would be yielding to traffic coming out of private business and that would not likely be appropriate; however some visual cue that traffic leaving proceed cautiously would be helpful.
The public hearing was closed at 6:50 p.m.
Board Comments
Mr. Morin commented that he suggested the condition for a traffic study because he did not think the applicant had given a lot of consideration to traffic in the area. The additional review by the applicant has proposed reasonable solutions and he saw no problem with removing the condition.
Mr. Morin moved to rescind the condition of a traffic study for the approval of a site plan review for Berlin Falls Real Estate, LLC – Berlin Courthouse; Mr. Merrill seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Driveway Application
Ms. Laflamme reported that the Public Works Director has reviewed the application by Berlin Falls Realty for a driveway permit and found no problems. Chair Cusson confirmed that the application is complete.
Mr. Morin moved to accept the driveway application for Berlin Falls Realty for the courthouse building; Mr. Collins seconded and the motion carried.
Master Plan Update
Ms. Laflamme explained that the Master Plan meeting was cancelled. There are several chapters of the plan left to complete and the timeline is getting short. It has always been the expectation that the committee and board would come up with the vision for the City.
It was suggested that a letter from the board be sent to the consultant indicating the board’s expectations. Finishing the Plan will be difficult in the summer months and the vision and implementation should be dealt with in September. With this new goal, the consultants need to commit to hitting the target.
Ms. Laflamme stated that the three public meetings contracted have been held and Plymouth State is willing to do another public meeting at the end of the process when the plan is being presented. Ms. Jamison suggested smaller groups that focus on specific items in the plan. Ms. Laflamme established that there will be some discussion at the next meeting about how the remainder of the plan moves.
Chair Cusson and Ms. Laflamme stated that they were eager to see how the feedback from the public comments gets incorporated into the Master Plan.
Lot Merger
Ms. Laflamme explained that this lot merger just came in and it was the hope of the owner to have the merger done prior to April 1. The merger would combine Map 403, Lots 2301 & 2302 on Cates Hill for tax purposes. The property is owned by Linda and Leo Poulin.
Mr. Morin moved to accept the merger; Mr. Merrill seconded and the motion carried.
Board Member Comments
Ms. Laflamme reported that Laidlaw has asked to be on the Planning Board agenda on April 7 for an informational meeting.
Mr. Merrill commented that, as a member of the Chamber of Commerce Board, he was invited to a meeting with Lou Bravakis. He learned that Laidlaw does not have to come before the municipality because their project falls under state statute. They have a commitment for PSNH to buy their power. They did not want to present their plans until they owned the property. Berlin was attractive to them for this project because there is a labor force, wood in the vicinity and a boiler that is ready to use. Laidlaw intends to use only a small percentage of the lot they own. Most of the remaining land could be subdivided out to other industrial uses. It was reported that Laidlaw bought the second lot because they wanted to keep the truck traffic the way it is now. They will add another scale to the property. Mr. Merrill concluded by saying that with regard to the wood availability, Laidlaw has an interest in a sustainable yield so they can get renewable energy credits.
It was noted that once the City becomes an intervener in the Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) process, recommendations for stipulations to their permit can be made. Mr. Merrill mentioned how the company could sponsor a program to plant nursery size trees as buffers to be transplanted in other parts of the city. Ms. Jamison mentioned a community center
The Laidlaw presentation will be an informal meeting where they can receive direct feedback from the board. They are not coming formally and there is no need for a public hearing or a public forum.
The next Planning Board meeting will be April 8.
There being no other business to come before the board, Ms. Jamison moved to adjourn; Mr. Collins seconded and the motion carried. The meeting ended at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Tremblay
| 
