TOWN OF FARMINGTON
PLANNING BOARD
WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday - February 19, 2008
356 Main Street - Farmington, NH
Members Present: Chairman Charlie King, Hiram Watson, David Kestner, Paul Parker, Don MacVane, Gerry Gibson and Cindy Snowdon.
Members Excused: Jim Horgan
Selectmen's Rep: Joan Funk - absent
Staff Present: Daniel Merhalski, Director of Planning and Community Development
Chairman King called the meeting to order at 6:11pm and seated Gerry Gibson for Jim Horgan
Business Before the Board
A. Sidewalk Amendments:
1. Dan Merhalski stated that he believes these drafted sidewalk amendments should be in both the subdivision regulations and zoning ordinances. Don MacVane asked if the measurement requirements listed are typical and Dan replied that he worked on these amendments with Joel Moulton and together they researched what other towns used, so yes.
2. Hiram questioned how the town is going to get people to maintain the sidewalks discussed in section eight. Dan replied it would depend on the situation and if the sidewalks are private or publicly owned. Charlie King noted that the town maintains sidewalks outside the village center now and should continue to do within the 1 1/2 mile walking radius to school. The Board decided that further discussion was needed with Joel Moulton, the Selectmen and the planning board to define the maintenance responsibility more. Charlie added that a start would be to delineate between the public and private sidewalks and then pose the question as to who would be responsible if a private road becomes public.
3. The Board decided to review the draft amendments section by section. In section one they agreed it was well written.
4. Paul commented that in Section 2 table 3.14 (d) would not pertain to the subdivision regulations and will need to be reworded. Paul also asked if the Board wanted to require sidewalks 360 degrees around a commercial building. The Board decided to delete the line "all surrounding commercial buildings." Paul then asked if the statement "Planning Board may require stricter" should be added. The Board discussed this is an important statement to include somewhere in the document.
5. Charlie asked if in section 3 it should state that the sidewalks need to be built to ADA and this document guidelines, as to which ever is more stringent.
6. Charlie had the same comment from section 3 and would like it applied to section 4.
7. In section 5 the Board discussed what type of material to require whether it be granite, concrete, paving, etc.
8. Don suggested removing section 6 in it's entirety because he feels it underminds the entire point of this document. Charlie suggested the highest standard for sidewalk requirements be within the 1 1/2 mile walking radius to school. Dan will note this in a separate section.
9. Charlie commented that he believes section 7 should be part of section 6 and the Board agreed.
10. Section 8 was all set.
11. In section 9, Charlie believes it is reasonable to have the developer connect to existing sidewalks and that he would not be in favor of reducing the sidewalks within a development. Dan replied that this was set up due to Jim Horgan's comments at an earlier meeting regarding off-site improvements in areas like Governor's Road. Gerry asked what the limit of impact would be and Dan replied that according to legal counsel there is no limit except for the fact that the area needs to be directly impacted by the development. Dan remarked that he can pull out the part that states "Planning Board may decrease requirement in lieu of." The Board then discussed if they need to set a reasonable minimum or maximum guideline. Dan replied that it will be on a case by case basis in which the Board will have to
make just decisions. The Board decided to let Dan rewrite the section and bring it back to them.
12. In discussing section 10, Dan explained that the right of way is a pedestrian right of way and only on developer's property. Charlie replied that he believes a 14 foot right of way is rather large. Dan offered photos of example to explain the intent of this section. Gerry said that photos would probably be beneficial to the document as well.
13. The Board reviewed Table 3.14.
a. In the AR (agricultural residential) there is no sidewalk requirement listed. Paul said if there is a large subdivision then the interior roads should have sidewalks. Charlie agreed that there should be a sidewalk requirement for this district though he stated he would not be opposed to a gravel way. The other board members agreed there needs to be pedestrian amenities on interior roads but that the requirements need to be flexible as well. The Board discussed that the threshold may be based on lot frontage and the number of lots. Dan agreed to work up some guidelines and bring them back to the Board.
b. In the SR (suburban residential) it was discussed that it needs to be specified that the finished grade is for the "road."
c. In the RR (rural residential) the Board decided to remove 2" compact gravel.
d. In the UR (urban residential) Charlie questioned why vertical granite is identified and not sloped. Dan replied that slope granite is not as effective and because it is so close to the downtown area he applied a higher standard.
e. The Board was all set with the requirements of the VC (village center), the UR (Urban Residential) and the CC (commercial center).
f. Dan noted that one would only put sidewalks on their own property. Charlie stated that he is concerned that the regular developer will interpret that they have to develop sidewalks on both sides of the road and wondered if Dan could define the requirement a little better. Dan will work on the wording.
Paul Parker motioned for a five minute recess, 2nd David Kestner. Motion carried at 8:13pm.
Chairman King reconvened the meeting at 8:19 pm.
B. Other:
1. Charlie informed the Board that he received an email from Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) that they are looking or a representative from the town to attend meetings regarding the reclassification of the Cocheco River to determine any protection changes. The first meeting is on 2/27/08. Dan asked Charlie to forward the email to him and he would forward to the rest of the Board. Don commented that the Conservation Commission should also be made aware.
Public Hearing
Chairman King opened the public hearing at 8:26pm for the Master Plan.
C. Discussion on Master Plan:
1. Dan informed the Board that he did not receive any correspondence from the 500 Boys and Girls Club or the Preservation Guild regarding their inclusion in the Master Plan so he would recommend removing them as listed agencies. Gerry Gibson motioned to remove the 500 Boys and Girls Club and the Preservation Guild from the Master Plan as listed agencies, 2nd Paul Parker. Motion carried with all in favor.
2. Paul Parker noted that the table of contents is missing from Chapter 4 and Dan replied he would add it.
3. Charlie King motioned to adopt the Farmington Master Plan for 2005 with the table of contents for Chapter 4 being added, 2nd Paul Parker. Motion carried with all in favor.
Gerry Gibson motioned to adjourn, 2nd David Kestner. Motion passed with all in favor.
Chairman King adjourned the meeting at 8:35 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
______________________________
Chairman, Charlie King
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