PLANNING BOARD MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY – FEBRUARY 21, 2006
356 Main Street – Farmington, NH
Members Present: Charlie King, Don MacVane, Jim Horgan, David Kestner, Charles Wibel,
Absent: Hiram Watson – with notification
Jason Lauze, Alternate – without notification
Selectmen’s Rep: Paul Parker
Staff Present: Paul Esswein, Doreen T. Hayden
Public Present: Cyndi Paulin, Brad Anderson, Paula Proulx
Chairman King called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
Chairman King notes that the 1st item on the agenda is:
Continuation of Site Plan Review for: Farmington Ridge Limited Partnership (Tax Map R47, Lot 5 and
Tax Map U10, Lot 41-1:
Chairman King turns the floor over to Paul Esswein; Paul Esswein advises the board that the applicant has requested that this continuation be moved to the next Planning Board Meeting of March 7, 2006 to allow time for their review of the Traffic Analysis Study performed by Louis Caron, PE of L. C. Engineering.
Don MacVane motions to continue this application to the March 7, 2006 Planning Board Meeting, 2nd Jim Horgan, discussion; Jim Horgan makes a friendly amendment to have this application be the 1st item on the March 7, 2006 agenda, Don MacVane accepts this friendly amendment; Chairman King interjects that there are copies of this study available in the Planning Department if the public wants a copy, no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
Discussion: Proposed Farmington Design Manual:
Chairman King turns the floor over to Brad Anderson to open discussion on this proposed manual. Brad advises that in 2003 N. H. Charitable Foundation began the Farmington Design Manual with matching funds from the Town of Farmington and 75% from other sources.
This document is a voluntary guide and has nothing to do with the Planning Departments Regulations; it is just a tool/catalog to assist individuals/developers during their design implementation. It is planned that this gets produced via color copies as well as on CD format. The manual was designed for 4 mixed uses; (1) Urban Commercial/Multi-Use; (2) Highway Commercial/Industrial; (3) Agricultural/Rural Residential; (4) Semi-Urban Residential. Volume I is the introduction and Volume II is Urban Commercial Mixed Use.
Brad Anderson reviews the Farmington Design Manual with the members of the board, defining various sections of the manual and what the contents are.
Chairman King polls the members of the board for comments and questions.
Jim Horgan – so far looks good; questions the meaning of “providing incentives” as referred to in the beginning section; asks Brad Anderson what types of incentives to offer; Brad Anderson explains that since working on the Master Plan it came as a recommendation from the Planner; esthetic standards and the requirement of developers to use such standards.
Charles Wibel has a number of things for discussion purposes with Brad Anderson. Chairman King and Paul Esswein entertain into discussion and questions with Charles Wibel and Brad Anderson.
Don MacVane asks if we’re talking about houses; Brad Anderson advises, does not address residential only commercial; discussion continues with Don MacVane voicing his thoughts and concerns about new versus old building; Brad Anderson addresses Don Mac Vanes’ concerns about the design features.
Paul Esswein presents examples of design guidelines that provides thoughts on the designs of buildings; could be any building from a Greek revival to a Modern building that incorporates all features.
David Kestner interjects that the downtown area encompasses store fronts with apartments over, commercial uses – all as mixed use; further comment to Brad Anderson that you recommend designs which will add costs to developer and homeowners and David Kestner questions where the dollars will come from? Brad Anderson and Paul Esswein both explain their interpretation of how the tax and added costs will be absorb.
Paul Esswein refers to various Marketing Plans using Wal-Mart as an example on how they are marketing to different downtown areas by down sizing and revamping their super stores to fit into a downtown environment.
Chairman King voices his opinion on the design manual and the standards, has a small discussion on this subject; Paul Esswein interjects on his past experiences in a Town that adopted design standards.
Charles Wibel suggests that the Town of Farmington develop a mission statement on what the Planning Board is looking for and to hand out to prospective developers when they approach the Planning Department for their development.
Chairman King states that he believes Mr. Wibel has a good point, he also feels we have a very good document before us that has been prepared by the Guild.
Cyndi Paulin points out that the consultant on the Master Plan has spoken previously about the same things as are going around the table tonight. Developers are upset over the gray and murky areas versus clear points; this is what has been heard as they have been working on the design manual.
Chairman King poses a question to Paul Esswein asking how can his department apply this Design Manual. Paul Esswein replies that for any developer proposing a project we would be able to provide this to them for use as a tool, as well for the general public, we also could work with FCTV (Farmington Community Television) to post on channel 26 for the viewers and the Planning Board members also could use as a tool, this document has value without a regulatory document behind it.
Paul Esswein strongly suggested to the members of the board encouraging them to proceed to the next commercial corridor section; he feels that with the Rochester Route 11 development that is going on it will only be a matter of time that Route 11 Farmington area will be next in development. He has already had significant inquiries into development possibilities. Paul Esswein also feels that design standards for the entire community need to be addressed; the downtown area is difficult, as it must blend with the aesthetics’. Route 11 aesthetics’ is also a concern that the board needs to look at for the future as to not have miles of pavement.
Jim Horgan doesn’t believe that Farmington is a user friendly downtown area, feels it is a hit and run area, would like consideration of parking areas, incentives for benches donated by area businesses, lighting issues, possible behind store parking, Jim Horgan provided various other suggestions to think about.
Chairman King wants to make a final point that he appreciates the completeness of the portion provided, feels the board is in favor of implementing and hopes that a sound plan and time table can be addressed.
Brad Anderson interjects that they are having a meeting this week.
Jim Horgan motions to continue this discussion to the May 16, 2006 Planning Board Workshop Meeting, 2nd Paul Parker, discussion; Chairman King suggests that maybe they could receive a plan from the Guild, Paul Esswein strongly urged the Guild and the downtown businesses to attend the April 18, 2006 Planning Board Workshop Meeting where a discussion is on the agenda for “density”.
Brad Anderson offered with the assistance of Cyndi Paulin to work with the downtown area businesses and to notify them of the pending April & may Meetings that relates to the design structures using the developed Farmington Design Manual.
7:35 p.m.
Chairman King motions for a 5-minute recess, 2nd Paul Parker, no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
7:51 p.m.
Chairman King reconvenes the meeting and turns the floor over to Jim Horgan who brings the members of the board up to date on the Conservation Commissions work. Jim Horgan reviews their meeting time of the 1st Monday of the month at the Town Hall in the “old” tax clerks’ office at 7:00 p.m.; the subjects for discussion are the French Property and the Town Forest.
Paul Esswein discusses that Focus on Tamworth has an appeal on a Zoning decision regarding the statewide impact on wetlands and they are looking for letters of support, this is at the state Supreme Court level right now.
Chairman King reads the letter addressed to him from Norman Russell regarding the Supreme Court acceptance of the hearing (EquiVise).
Discussion: Town of Farmington Master Plan:
Paul Esswein wanted this subject on tonight’s agenda; revising Zoning Ordinance where it might happen and before we go forward all must comply with the Master Plan. Department heads are to meet and give their commentary on the sections; all chapters have been reviewed; Paul Esswein discusses some thoughts on a sub-committee comprised of a Planning Board Member, Selectman’s Rep, and ZAMPS. Committee would work on scope, specific management issues or general various items for discussion.
Brad Anderson interjects that there are 119 action items on the Master Plan.
Paula Proulx interjected that the format on the Master Plan was given to Paul Esswein.
Chairman King suggests Master Plan review in the March 21, 2006 Planning Board Workshop Meeting.
Cyndi Paulin comments that Chapter 4 not reviewed by the board “demographics” section. Chapter 5 is out of order; some switching has gone one between chapters 4 & 5.
Chairman King asks Paul Esswein if that is correct; Paul Esswein – Yes and discusses what changes the ZAMPS had discussed and that hopefully will have chapter 6 ready for review at the same time.
Chairman King asks if outside consultant AER has completed and fulfilled the contract and been paid in full; Paul Esswein advises yes. Paula Proulx interjects “to the best of their ability”.
Comment made that; chapters 4, 5, 6 and the implementation are left; and Chairman King would like those added to the Planning Board Workshop Meeting of March 21, 2006, 2nd Paul Parker; Don MacVane motions to add the Master Plan Chapter 4, 5, and 6 to the March 21, 2006 Planning Board Workshop Meeting; 2nd Paul Parker, no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
8:17 p.m.
Don MacVane motions to adjourn, 2nd Charles Wibel, no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
___________________________________ ______________________
Charlie King, Chairman Date
Farmington Planning Board
APPROVED AS WRITTEN: 03-07-2006
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