PLANNING BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY – APRIL 18, 2006
356 Main Street – Farmington, NH
Members Present: Charlie King, Don MacVane, Hiram Watson, Jim Horgan, David Kestner, John Law
Absent: Jason Lauze, Alternate – with notification
Edward Weagle – with notification
Selectmen’s Rep: Paul Parker
Staff Present: Paul Esswein, Doreen T. Hayden
Public Present: William Vachon, Joann Doke, Charles Wibel, Cyndi Paulin, Elizabeth Fischer,
Arvard Worster
Chairman King called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. and introduces the newest Planning Board Member – John Law.
Chairman King motions to move the Election of Officers to the top of the agenda; 2nd Jim Horgan, no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
Hiram Watson nominates Don MacVane for Chairman, 2nd Jim Horgan; Don MacVane accepts; Paul Parker nominates Charlie King for Chairman, 2nd David Kestner; Charlie King accepts; no further discussion; 3 in favor for Don MacVane as Chairman = Hiram Watson, Jim Horgan and Don MacVane; 4 in favor for Charlie King as Chairman = Paul Parker, John Law, David Kestner and Charlie King. Charlie King is appointed as Chairman for the next year by unanimous vote.
Chairman King nominates Don MacVane for the Vice Chairman seat; Don MacVane accepts nomination, 2nd Jim Horgan, no further discussion, all those in favor, unanimous in favor vote for Don MacVane as Vice Chairman.
Don MacVane nominates Hiram Watson for the Secretary seat; Hiram Watson accepts nomination, 2nd Jim Horgan, no further discussion, all those in favor, unanimous in favor vote for Hiram Watson as Secretary.
Discussion Continued: From 01-10-2006 Planning Board Meeting: Subject is the expansion of the (VC) Village Center District and re-alignment of all Zoning Districts.
Chairman King turns the floor over to Paul Esswein; Paul Esswein recalls back to January when the board received a petition from the citizens of the Winter Street area to change the minimum size lots in the Village Center District; Paul Esswein elaborates that after further investigation of their request it was determined that the petitioners really wanted to reduce the density in the Village Center District. Paul Esswein furthers discusses the reasons behind this request and summarizes the past discussion(s) on this topic.
Jim Horgan interjects that if he understands this correctly; they want to decrease the density but believes what we’ve ended with is increasing the density; Jim Horgan asks for clarification.
Chairman King believes this is a big issue; most of the cases are in the (UR) Urban Residential District and feels that both areas need to be looked at.
Don MacVane interjects that he keeps hearing what our vision requirements are and that everyone agrees that a viable downtown needs to be active; parking is an issue as is traffic pattern issues and should be the main objective.
Jim Horgan asks if we want to move the line that separates the (VC) Village Center from the (UR) Urban Residential District.
Paul Esswein feels that this should include some areas in the (UR) Urban Residential district that are closer to the (VC) Village Center and gives his review of what the downtown area of the (VC) Village Center District should look like.
Chairman King addresses the public and advises that he will leave the floor open for public input, he just asks that you wait until the Chairman acknowledges you and then step up to the front of the board and state your name and address for the record.
Jim Horgan questions, if we were to change the line is there a financial gain or loss that would affect the owners of the area we change? Paul Esswein states it would make a couple of non-conforming lots conforming; Hiram Watson asks if we upped the density is there any tax relief or incentives that we would be able to offer those residents? Paul Esswein replies that we could apply to the state for various grants that area specifically for private lands owners; additionally by increasing the density the landowners could have more allowable units.
Chairman King acknowledges Charles Wibel for public input; Charles Wibel states that basically what you’re looking at in Real Estate is that houses are valued at more dollars; noting that there is a vacant lot behind Cumberland Farms for sale by owner for $350,000.00. Charles Wibel further elaborates on his insight for the downtown area; retail space is more viable to bringing in foot traffics; service oriented business does not attract foot traffic.
David Kestner asks if change goes through to more commercial use the houses located in that area are going to have an added tax burden imposed.
Chairman King asks if Paul Esswein has considered the change in use as relates to the tax increase? Don MacVane asks how many properties would be affected about 20; Paul Esswein – yes approximately; Chairman King asks about incentives for existing buildings; Board members discuss various incentives for the proposed re-zoning and its effects to parcel owners.
Charles Wibel readdresses the board and feels it is not a problem increasing density; the people that signed the petition are not here tonight; height limits of 55’ would equal a 4-story high building; offers his opinion of some other options the board could look at and elaborates on his opinion of the downtown area proposed revitalization.
Jim Horgan interjects that the 55’ height limit is imposed to enable the fighting of fires.
Don MacVane and Charlie King discuss the design standards that should be looked at. Paul Parker points out that energy efficient, siding and windows can be achieved to meet Victorian standard looks. Paul Esswien agrees with Don MacVane that design standards should be incorporated when development occurs.
Jim Horgan interjects that he is seriously disappointed with the traffic attendance of the 75 petitioners and would like to make a motion to move this to the next workshop session of 05-16-2006, 2nd Don MacVane; discussion; Chairman King is not quite ready to continue this discussion to the next meeting; he’s ready to discuss the (UR) Urban Residential District and has a few more prongs for that discussion and there are some members of the community here. John Law interjects there has been considerable time on discussion regarding the aesthetics of the downtown area, new style construction is a good option while still preserving the Victorian look and keeping consistent across the board; asks what the maximum threshold of the downtown area would be. Chairman King calls for any further comments; no
heard, calls for a vote on the motion; Don MacVane, Hiram Watson, Jim Horgan and John Law motion to continue this discussion to the next Planning Board Workshop Meeting of 05-16-2006; David Kestner, Paul Parker and Chairman King opposed; Chairman King states the motion carries for continuance to the 05-16-2006 Workshop Meeting.
Chairman King motions to continue the Public discussion; 2nd Paul Parker, no further comment, all those in favor, motion passes to continue with the public discussion.
Bill Vachon – addresses the board and reflects upon the petition that was signed; he’s main concern particularly is pointed at the houses being too close together, too close to the road and no sidewalks available for the children who come down from the park (Farmington Ridge) walking to school down the middle of the road.
Bill Tsiros – feels all the points are good; he’s speaking as a businessman with 35 years of business experience and that before anything is done you need to look at the infrastructure that needs to be done, density to allow increase for a viable downtown he agrees with but before this expansion of area takes place you must go step by step in the process. Chairman King and Bill Tsiros discuss the types of businesses to allow; Bill Tsiros stating that the Town of Farmington is not going to attract a large supermarkets; but services, cleaning, exercising businesses in the downtown location possible and could also service at minimum 10 of the surrounding towns, technological businesses could also be viable for the downtown area.
Charles Wibel readdresses the board discussing the density of the downtown and making it a more viable option to allow more residential units than are presently allowed.
Chairman King states there is no further discussion heard from the public; so this discussion is continued to the next Planning Board Workshop Meeting of 05-16-2006.
7:11 p.m.
Chairman King motions for a 5-minute recess, 2nd Jim Horgan, no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
Discussion Continued: From 02-21-2006 Planning Board Workshop Meeting; Design Manual.
7:21 p.m.
Chairman King reconvenes the meeting and opens the discussion on the design manual.
Paul Esswein states he has the final draft that includes a case study using the design guidelines and that the Municipal Office Building was used as the example.
Chairman King has a copy of this manual on CD; asks Paul Esswein if I get you the CD could you color photo copy to all Planning Board Members and burn copies for each of the Planning Board Members; Paul Esswein advises this can be done.
Chairman King gives John Law a quick overview of the contents of the design manual. David Kestner interjects that he sees some promising effects down the road. Paul Parker replies that he would have done some things differently, overall feels it is a useful document and on the whole a job well done.
Chairman King motions to continue this discussion to the next Planning Board Workshop Meeting of 05-16-2006, 2nd Don MacVane; discussion; Paul Parker asks if Brad Anderson or Paula Proulx are looking for any further input; Cyndi Paulin interjects that is the final draft from Brad Anderson, she doesn’t have an urgency on her part.
Paul Esswein comments that he has handed out the Route 11 Access Management a document that was prepared as a tool for recommending areas on controlling access.
7:30 p.m.
Jim Horgan motions to adjourn, 2nd Don MacVane, no further discussion, all those in favor, motion passes.
APPROVED AS AMENDED; Changes noted in bold
Page 2 of 4; 3rd paragraph; change the word live to line.
___________________________________ ___________________________
Charlie King, Chairman Date
Farmington Planning Board
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