TOWN OF FARMINGTON
PLANNING BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday – August 4, 2009
356 Main Street - Farmington, NH
Members Present: Chairman Paul Parker, Charlie Doke, David Kestner, Jim Horgan and Cindy Snowdon.
Members Excused: Glen Demers, Tracy Major and Tim Moody
Selectman’s Rep: Charlie King
Chairman Paul Parker called the meeting to order at 5:40pm at 262 Chestnut Hill Road where the members gathered for a site walk for the Major Subdivision Permit Approval by: NiAshBre Estates and seated Jim Horgan for Tim Moody. Randy Orvis provided new plans to the members to show the changed in the road to meet the 900ft. rule and a turn around area. Mr. Huckins asked the Board members why the 900ft. rule was created in the first place and Jim explained it was due to the amount of hose the fire department has. Mr. Orvis then explained that he is going to submit a waiver request for the 100ft. requirement on Lot 6-3 and this is noted on the revised plans. Mr. Huckins then explained that he was told by NHDES to install a temporary bridge over the running stream. Dave inquired what was being
installed for culverts and Mr. Orvis explained there will be two culverts at 12” at the small crossing and an 18” at the large crossing. Lastly, Dave questioned if the applicant is going to provide an easement for sidewalks. Charlie King motioned to continue the application for NiAshBre Estates to August 18, 2009; 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried.
Charlie King motioned to recess at 6:20pm so the Board could reconvene at the Municipal Offices; 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried.
At 6:53pm, Chairman Parker called the meeting to order at the Municipal Offices and seated Jim Horgan for Tim Moody.
CONTINUED CASES:
- Application for Major Subdivision Permit Approval By: NiAshBre Estates: Thomas E. & Michelle P. Huckins (Tax Map R15, Lot 6); To allow for 4 lot subdivision, Rural Residential (RR) Zoning District. Parcel is located at 262 Chestnut Hill Road.
Charlie King motioned to continue the application for major subdivision permit approval by NiAshBre Estates (Tax Map R15, Lot 6) to August 18, 2009, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with all in favor.
Business Before the Board:
1. Other Business:
a. Dan Cutter (Tax Map R36, Lot 4) had an excavation permit before the Board and asked for it to be withdrawn until further notice through a letter.
b. Correspondence from McNeill, Taylor & Gallo regarding Governor’s Road Realty, LLC dated August 4, 2009 was received. In the letter the applicant is seeking a six-month (or is hopeful to receive a one-year) extension of its approvals. The Subdivision Regulations stipulate in section 3.11 that approvals are good for one year without substantial work being done and that a six-month extension may be granted upon written request. The one-year approval window began when the Chairman signed the plat on August 21, 2008. Charlie King commented that he believes the work was a condition of approval and if so the extension would be considered a change to the conditions of approval and would require a public hearing. Paul will forward the
question as to whether or not it is a condition of approval to Mike Garrepy and the Board will reconsider the request on August 18, 2009.
Cindy asked if the verbage on the Homeowners Association documents pertaining to the road acceptance was amended as requested by the Board. Charlie King stated that he signed the plat after reviewing it and asking Dan Merhalski that question. At that time Dan said all the conditions of approval were met.
c. Paul read a letter from NHDES regarding the designation of the Cocheco River on July 21, 2009 and requesting members to serve on an advisory board.
d. Through correspondence Verizon Wireless requested a modification of its plans approved on September 16, 2008. The applicant is requesting to replace three of the six approved 47-inch panel antennas with three 95-inch panel antennas, to increase the amount of coax cables from 12 to 18, and (according to the submitted plans) locate a new generator within the fenced security area outside the building. The Notice of Decision for this project (dated September 16, 2006) provides for a review of plan amendments to occur by the Town Planner who may approve changes that are deemed not substantial without review by the Planning Board. Dave Kestner recused himself from the discussion.
The Planning Board discussed that they feel these changes are a substantial change to the approval and that a Public Hearing is needed for the amendments to the plan. Charlie King motioned to recognize the proposed amendments to the Verizon Wireless approval as substantial and therefore requiring a Public Hearing, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with Dave Kestner abstaining.
Cindy Snowdon motioned for a short recess so that copies could be made, 2nd Dave Kestner. Motion carried at 7:32pm.
At 7:47pm, the Board reconvened.
2. Town Cistern Policy:
a. The Board continued their review of the draft Town Cistern Policy. Jim asked for an update on the approximate cost of construction for a cistern and Dave explained he learned that it cost approximately $3/gallon for an in ground cistern. Jim stated that he feels this is a huge burden to place on developers and that if the Board is going to make it a requirement then he would like to make sure it is the best possible fire protection solution. Charlie K. noted that the document should point to other viable options for fire protection in NFPA 11:42 like suppression systems and fire ponds.
b. The Board then discussed Section IV.D.1(a) in regards to the distance requirement between a cistern and protected property. Charlie K. stated he believes the distance should be 2000 feet and many of the Board members were more comfortable with 1500 feet. It was discussed that the capability of the fire apparatus should be considered and the Board will review this with the Fire Chief in the future. The consensus was to change the distance from 1000 feet to 1500 feet.
c. The Board then discussed the authority section IV.D.1 (a) and agreed to strike the last sentence. Also, it was agreed the Fire Chief should make recommendations to the Board but the Board should make the final decisions. Other changes related to this were made throughout sections IV.D and E and V.A.
Jim Horgan motioned to extend the meeting to 9:30pm, 2nd Cindy Snowdon. Motion carried. The review of the afore mentioned sections continued.
Charlie King motioned to continue the discussion of the Cistern Policy to September 1, 2009, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried.
3. Discussion of Watershed and Wetlands Overlay Districts – Possible Amendments to Zoning Ordinance:
Jim Horgan motioned to continue the discussion on the Watershed and Wetlands Overlay Districts to September 1, 2009, 2nd Cindy Snowdon. Motion carried.
4. Discussion of Subdivision Regulations:
Paul explained he put this on the agenda because it is something Mr. Garrepy previously put together for the ZAMPS committee and he was wondering if the Board would like to review it and see where they might like to go from there. The Board agreed they would be interested in reviewing the document.
Cindy Snowdon motioned to continue the discussion of the Subdivision Regulations to the October 6, 2009 meeting, 2nd Charlie King. Discussion followed in which Charlie Doke pointed out the October 6th meeting was rescheduled to October 13 because Dan was getting married. Motion withdrawn.
Charlie Doke motioned to change the October 13, 2009 meeting back to October 6, 2009, 2nd Charlie King. Motion carried.
Cindy Snowdon motioned to continue the discussion of the Subdivision Regulations to the October 6, 2009 meeting, 2nd Charlie King. Motion carried.
Jim Horgan motioned to adjourn, 2nd Charlie Doke. Motion carried with all in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 9:37pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
___________________________ _________________
Paul Parker, Chairman Date
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