TOWN OF FARMINGTON
PLANNING BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY - December 18, 2007
356 Main Street - Farmington, NH
Members Present: Chairman Charlie King, Hiram Watson, David Kestner, Paul Parker,
Alternates Gerry Gibson and Cindy Snowdon.
Absent: Don MacVane - without notification
Jim Horgan - with notification
Selectmen's Rep: Joan Funk - absent
Staff Present: Daniel Merhalski, Planner
Chairman King called the meeting to order at 6:06pm, seated Cindy Snowdon for Don MacVane and Gerry Gibson for Jim Horgan.
Business Before the Board:
Charlie King explained to the Board that UNH forwarded a survey they would like all the members to complete for a NH Estuaries Project they are involved in.
Dan Merhalski gave the Board an update on the Ian's Way development and explained that the applicant now needs to request an amendment to the original plan to change it for condos. He will speak to the developer and have an answer for the Board as to what he plans to do.
Dan reported that he did some research and January 11, 2008 is the posting deadline for a zoning ordinance changes. The Board discussed that they will discuss any minor changes they feel should be brought forward to the March Town Meeting. It was noted that the ordinances should include the rear setbacks that were omitted in the newest draft.
Dan informed the Board that he will not have time to draft revisions on the steep slope ordinance but he will work on it in the near future.
Cindy Snowdon recused herself from a conversation concerning Campbell Commons. Dan provided the Board with an updated list of what the developer has been working on; so far he has completed 7 out of the 28 deficient items and is working on two others. Dan stated the developer has not yet applied for an amendment to the plan so it is now up to the planning board if they want to hold a compliance hearing.
Paul Parker motioned to schedule a compliance hearing for Campbell Commons on January 8, 2008; 2nd Gerry Gibson.
Discussion followed that David does not believe the applicant can complete some of the items that are listed as deficient based upon the time of the year. Charlie responded that Dan believes they can.
Motion carried with all in favor.
David asked for a copy of the original approved plan so he has something to work from for the compliance hearing.
Cindy Snowdon was reseated.
Dan stated that he has advertised for the two Strafford Regional Planning Commission seats, in which one is vacant now and one will come open in March. Dan explained that these seats are for the regional planning board for large projects that effect multiple towns and meet approximately four times a year.
Chairman King opened the Public Hearing at 6:26 pm.
Charlie King motioned to pull forward the application for a voluntary merger by T D Banknorth, 2nd Gerry Gibson. Motion carried with all in favor.
New Cases:
Application for a Voluntary Merger: By: T.D. Banknorth (Richard F. Newman) (Tax Map U5, Lot #200 & U5, Lot #201); Property located at 4 Central Street; in the (VC) Village Center Zoning District; Merged lots will become Tax Map U5, Lot #200.
Dan informed the Board that T D Banknorth wishes to make their 2 lots into one and based on law the Planning Board is required to approve the application unless the merger would make the lots less conforming which it does not.
Paul Parker motioned to approve the application for a voluntary merger by TD Banknorth (Richard F. Newman) (Tax Map U5, Lot #200 & U5, Lot #201), 2nd Hiram Watson. Motion carried with all in favor.
Continued Cases:
Continuation of Review: Re: Reviews of the Draft Master Plan
Dan informed the Board that he made all the revisions from the last meeting and got approval from the department heads on the plan.
The Board reviewed the Implementation Chapter. Paul questioned if the completion dates are reasonable and Dan replied that the 2010 date is a goal and when the next plan needs to be completed. The Board agreed to add a plus sign after 2010 to show the goals will be ongoing.
Recreation Section:
1st goal - Charlie suggested adding to the action "to review and make recommendations if it is beneficial to have the 500 Boys and Girls Club have exempt status for Planning Board review." David stated this might be an issue because the exempt status would have to be for all non-profits. Charlie agreed but thought with review the Board might be able to determine a good plan for this.
Charlie King motioned to add to the action of goal one "to review current zoning to support recreation in town and review the qualifications and standards for exempt status for site plan review," 2nd Paul Parker. Motion carried with all in favor.
Gerry Gibson motioned to remove the 500 Boys and Girls Club as an agency listed in the first goal because they are not part of the municipality but a non-profit, 2nd David Kestner.
Discussion followed in which Paul stated he believes they provide a viable resource to the community and should be included. David said there are lots of organizations in town that could be included. Cindy stated that maybe should ask the 500 Boys and Girls Club for their written approval to be included in the plan. The Board agreed this was a good idea and Dan will forward to the 500 Boys and Girls Club.
Motion failed with Gerry Gibson in favor.
Natural Resources
1st goal - Paul Parker motioned to include the police, fire and schools to the agencies, 2nd Charlie King. Motion carried with all in favor.
2nd goal - replace word "new" with "a" under 1st action.
3rd goal - all set
4th goal - Charlie King motioned to include the action "to seek and acquire grants and/or easements to acquire or protect the resources", 2nd David Kestner. Motion carried with all in favor.
5th goal - all set
6th goal - David Kestner motioned to add same action that was added to the 4th goal, 2nd Charlie King. Motion carried with all in favor.
7th goal - Charlie King motioned to change the priority and date to medium and 2010+, 2nd Gerry Gibson. Motion carried with all in favor.
8th goal - all set
9th goal - all set
Demographic, Housing and Economic Trends
1st goal - David questioned if this goal has already been completed. Dan replied that he is unsure. Charlie questioned what the goal of the goal is and what the Town would be accomplishing with a study. Dan stated maybe the goal should be to review the zoning ordinances and services to see their impact on the tax base and if the ordinances should be revised. The Board was in consensus that a consultant should not be commissioned. Dan agreed to work on the wording of this goal for the next meeting.
2nd goal - all set
3rd goal - Charlie King motioned to add the following three actions 1. "to support local businesses through adult education", 2. "to support and promote Town businesses through a business directory," 3. "review current zoning to see if supportive of business and to incentivise new businesses," and to add the Downtown and Business Committee and the Preservation Guild to the agencies, 2nd Paul Parker. Motion carried with all in favor.
Charlie King motioned for a 5-minute recess, 2nd David Kestner. Motion carried with all in favor. Meeting recessed at 7:56pm.
Chairman King reconvened the meeting at 8:04pm and the Board continued their review of the Master Plan.
Transportation
1st goal - all set
2nd goal - all set
3rd goal - Charlie King motioned to task Dan to simplify the goal, to add the Economic Development Committee and the Downtown and Business Committee to the list of agencies and to add the word "sign" after "street" in the actions, 2nd Gerry Gibson. Motion carried with all in favor.
4th goal - It was discussed to add the Downtown and Business Committee to the agencies and to break the actions into two.
Economic Development
1st goal - Charlie King motioned to add the Downtown and Business Committee to the list of agencies to add to the actions "to consider incentivising development in the VC by considering zoning changes"; 2nd Gerry Gibson. Motion carried with all in favor.
2nd goal - Paul Parker motioned to add the Downtown and Business Committee to the agencies and the action "to investigate grant funding to aid property owners"; 2nd Gerry Gibson. Motion carried with all in favor.
3rd goal - all set
4th goal - all set
5th goal - Charlie King motioned to add the Board of Selectmen to the agencies and remove the Conservation Commission, 2nd Paul Parker. Motion carried with Cindy Snowdon opposed.
A discussion was held in which Cindy does not believe the Town should host a web page that would endorse companies. Dan replied that this site would be a source to connect buyers and sellers and would set a policy to do so. Cindy restated she does not believe it would be a good idea.
6th goal - Charlie King motioned to add the word "building" before "acquiring", to add the Downtown and Business Committee to the agencies and to add the action "review zoning ordinance to make sure allowed; 2nd Paul Parker. Motion carried with all in favor.
Community Facilities
1st goal - Charlie King motioned to have Dan reword the Goal, 2nd Gerry Gibson. Motion carried with Paul Parker opposed.
2nd goal - all set
3rd goal - all set
4th goal - all set
The Board thanked Dan for all his efforts in finalizing the Master Plan and scheduled the public hearing for the entire Master Plan - Chapters 1-9.
Paul Parker motioned to accept Chapter 9 of the Master Plan as amended, 2nd Gerry Gibson. Motion carried with all in favor.
Charlie King motioned to continue the meeting until 9:15 pm, 2nd Gerry Gibson. Motion carried with all in favor.
Charlie King motioned to post the public hearing for the Chapters 1-9 of the Master Plan for January 15, 2008; 2nd Paul Parker. Motion carried with all in favor.
Continuation of Discussion(s) from 10-16-07 and 11-20-2007 Re: Draft of the sidewalk requirements; presented by Dan Merhalski, Director -Department of Planning and Community Development
Dan informed the Board that he included the comments from the Board from the last meeting and now would like the Board to review the four-page document. The Board discussed they would like to be able to discuss this document at length.
David Kestner motioned to continue this discussion until 1/15/08; 2nd Gerry Gibson. Motion carried with all in favor.
Gerry Gibson motioned to adjourn, 2nd Hiram Watson. Motion passed with all in favor.
Chairman King adjourned the meeting at 9:07pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
APPROVED 01-15-2008 as amended to reflect the changes cited by Dan Merhalski
______________________________ _________________
Charlie King, Chairman Date
Farmington Planning Board
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