CHICHESTER PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES OF MEETING
January 31, 2008
Members Present: Chairman Brad Towle, Ex-Officio Richard DeBold, Stan Brehm, Joanna McIntosh, Fred Ruoff, Richard Moore (alt), David Kenneally (alt), and Secretary Jamie Pike.
Chairman Towle called the meeting to order at 6:45pm.
Pursuant to RSA 673:11, Chairman Towle designated alternate members Richard Moore and David Kenneally to act in the absence of Board members Richard Arell and Tom Jameson.
Declaration of Building Permits:
Motion to increase the available number of building permits to thirteen (13) made by Mr. Kenneally and seconded by Mr. DeBold.
Discussion ensued questioning if the number could be rounded up. The calculation for this years determination is 946 family dwelling times the current GMO of 1.39% equals 13.15 permits. It was determined that the GMO limits the percentage to 1.39 and therefore the number of available permits can not be rounded up to 14. The Board also discussed possible changes to the GMO, specifically increasing the allowed growth percentage. Pros and Cons of making this change were stated to be: Pros- making more permits available and Cons- an increased growth rate puts a strain on the school system.
Original motion passes.
Mr. DeBold brought up discussion of how votes are to be recorded in the minutes. This question is being brought forward as a result of the recent Board of Adjustment Hearing. Mr. DeBold feels that any vote taken by the Board should be recorded as unanimous or in the result of a split decision, such split should be recorded. The Board was in agreement.
The Board is in receipt of a letter from Mr. Jay Baas (Map 8 Lot 4, Depot Street) requesting advisement from the Board, as to the need to appear before the Board to excavate and construct an access road to the rear of his property. After discussion and review of the submitted project sketch, the Board directed Mr. Pike to address a letter to inform Mr. Baas of the Boards discussion and concerns over the project. Such letter is to include language as forth prescribed: “Based on your description of the project and the prepared plat sketch, we have determined that the Planning Board has no jurisdiction over your proposed road, although the Board recommends the use of proper land management practices to protect the area wetlands, ie: the use of silt fence.”
Chairman Towle opened the Public Hearing upon the Proposed Zoning Amendment Changes.
Present: Mr. Walt Sanborn and Mr. Bob Mann.
Mr. Pike asked the members of the Board as to their preference of the placement of the three (3) petitioned amendments. The Board was in agreement that the petitioned amendments should be first on the ballot and shall be numbered as amendments 1, 2, and 3.
Mr. Mann questioned the Board of how they plan to get the amendment information to the Public. Chairman Towle responded that the Board would be placing an insert flyer in the Suncook Sun and that amendment book would be place in various locations throughout the community in addition to the Library and Town Hall. Mr. DeBold recommended an informational meeting towards the end of February.
Amendment #4 (previously amendment #1) Motion to accept Amendment #4 as proposed made by Mr. Brehm and seconded by Mr. Ruoff. Motion passes by unanimous vote.
Amendment #5 (previously amendment #2) Mr. Brehm entertained discussion about modifying the proposed amendment to read: “…for any other use than a single family residence…” Motion to accept Amendment #5 as amended made by Mr. Brehm and seconded by Ms. McIntosh. Motion passes by unanimous vote.
Amendment #6 (previously amendment #3) Motion to accept Amendment #6 as proposed made by Mr. Ruoff and seconded by Mr. Kenneally. Motion passes by unanimous vote.
Amendment #7 (previously amendment #7) Through discussion, the Board changed the numbering of this amendment to Roman Numerals, amended Paragraph V to read “A public hearing shall be held prior to the initial issuance of the Home Occupation Permit,” and amended Paragraph VI to read, “Permits shall expire 5 years following issuance. Re-issuance may require a public hearing following an administrative review.” Motion to accept Amendment #7 as amended made by Ms. McIntosh and seconded by Mr. Kenneally. Motion passes by unanimous vote.
Amendment #8 (previously amendment #6) Motion to accept Amendment #8 as proposed made by Mr. DeBold and seconded by Mr. Brehm.
The Board review a growth study prepared by Mr. Pike to determine that in order to maintain a level of growth equal to that of the surrounding region, the new growth percentage limit should be increased to that of 1.50%. Mr. Moore expressed concern over raising this percentage. Mr. Mann expressed that he felt this amendment is arbitrary in nature as the current zoning is not in litigation.
Original Motion passes 6:1.
Amendment #9 (previously amendment #8) Motion to accept Amendment #9 as proposed by Mr. Kenneally and seconded by Mr. Moore. Motion passes by unanimous vote.
Amendment #10 (previously amendment #9) Motion to accept Amendment #10 as proposed by Ms. McIntosh and seconded by Mr. Kenneally. Motion passes by unanimous vote.
Amendment #11 (previously amendment #10) Motion to accept Amendment #11 as proposed by Mr. DeBold and seconded by Mr. Kenneally. Motion passes by unanimous vote.
Amendment #12 (previously amendment #11) Motion to accept Amendment #12 as proposed by Ms. McIntosh and seconded by Mr. Ruoff. Motion passes by unanimous vote.
Amendment #13 (previously amendment #12) The question was raised why the amount of 50% was used and why not to allow any use in all of the open-space land created by an Open-Space Conservation Development. Mr. Mann expressed that he believes the 50% resolution strives to reach a balance between the developer and the zoning. There was discussion raised by Mr. Brehm about the allowance of golf-courses within the Open-Space and it was explained that the Open-Space is reserved for non-commercial uses and that a private golf course would be allowed by approval of the Planning Board. Motion to accept Amendment #13 as proposed by Mr. DeBold and seconded by Mr. Brehm. Motion passes by unanimous vote.
Amendment #14 (previously amendment #13) Ms. McIntosh requested that a note be added to the amendment question stating that “this amendment is a housekeeping function of the Planning Board.”
Motion to accept Amendment #14 as amended by Mr. Kenneally and seconded by Ms. McIntosh. Motion passes by unanimous vote.
Amendment #15 (previously amendment #14) Motion to accept Amendment #15 as proposed by Mr. Kenneally and seconded by Mr. Ruoff. Motion passes by unanimous vote.
Amendment #16 (previously amendment #15) Through discussion the Board agreed to amend paragraph C to read “No new outside construction, or addition to existing buildings, of an estimated cost or value of more than $1000.00, shall be undertaken until a permit has been issued under the terms of the Chichester Building Regulations. This provision includes the installation of manufactured housing.” Motion to accept Amendment #16 as amended by Mr. Kenneally and seconded by Ms. McIntosh. Motion passes by unanimous vote.
Amendment #17 Through discussion the board agreed to amend the definition of a structure to read as “Anything constructed or erected (the use of which requires location on the ground, or attachment to something located on the ground) except signs, walls, fences or ground level parking. Examples of structures include, but are not limited to: Buildings and Foundations.” Motion to accept Amendment #17 as amended made by Mr. Kenneally and seconded by Mr. Brehm. Motion passes by unanimous vote.
Amendment #18 Motion to accept Amendment #18 as proposed made by Mr. DeBold and seconded by Mr. Kenneally. Motion passes by unanimous vote.
Being no further discussion the public hearing for the zoning amendments was concluded.
The Board discussed the questions regarding the dwelling conversion of Patricia Humphrey. Ms. Humphrey has been scheduled to appear before the Board on Thursday, February 7, 2008.
The Board also discussed issues of sufficient parking requirements for businesses within the commercial zone where required parking by building size is inadequate.
The Board completed checklist reviews of 4 plan-sets. The Board shall report any findings at a meeting of the Board on Thursday, February 7, 2008.
The full language of the amendments will be submitted as an attachment to these minutes upon preparation and shall be available for public inspection and transmitted to the Town Clerk on or before Febraury 5, 2008.
Being no further discussion, a motion was made by Mr. DeBold and seconded by Mr. Ruoff to adjourn the meeting at 11:00pm. Motion passes by unanimous vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Jamie A Pike, Secretary
Approved as Corrected
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Bradley J Towle, Chairman
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