TOWN OF FARMINGTON
PLANNING BOARD
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
356 Main Street, Farmington, NH
Board Members Present: Paul Parker, Glen Demers, Dave Kestner, Charlie Doke and Jim Horgan.
Board Members Absent: Cindy Snowdon and Tracy Major
Selectmen’s Representative: Charlie King
Town Staff Present: Director of Planning and Community Development Kathy Menici
Public Present: Mr. Duchano
At 6:04pm, Chairman Paul Parker opened the meeting and seated Jim Horgan for Tracy Major.
BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD:
- Continued Discussion – Subdivision Plan Lot Regulations:
The Board reviewed the amended draft that Kathy created as a result of the last meeting. Dave questioned if the section that discussed double frontage should be changed because he wasn’t sure if the lot had to be across. Kathy explained that if the secondary frontage was adjacent then it would be considered a corner lot which is a different scenario. The Board was in consensus to leave the section as it presently reads.
The Board discussed section 4.04.07. Kathy had deleted the section, as she thought the Board wanted, but cautioned the Board that she felt the requirements needed to be in the Regulations. It was discussed that the current requirement in the Zoning Ordinance is for 40,000 sq. ft of contiguous uplands for all lots and if the Subdivision Regulations are amended to reflect something different than the Zoning Ordinance needs to be amended as well. Paul reminded the Board that the whole idea for reviewing this section of the Regulations was to make sure better “buildable lots” are being created. Dave suggested reducing the requirement to 30,000 sq. ft. for a one acre lot. Kathy replied that she feels 40,000 sq. ft. is too
restrictive and will result in more applicants seeking relief from the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Jim Horgan motioned to continue this discussion until later in the meeting, 2nd Dave Kestner. Motion carried with all in favor.
- Continued Discussion – Petition Regarding 300 Main Street:
Paul read the memo that was addressed to the Board in regards to 300 Main Street from Dennis Roseberry. The memo stated that he has not yet sent a letter with a time limit for meeting all requirements because he was awaiting the review from the structural engineer. Mr. Duchano reported that the structural engineer made some suggestions; 1. Arrangements are being made to replace the fence with the neighbor, 2. Skirting will be installed around the perimeter of the home and 3. They are going to submit a building permit to create a kitchen in the addition. Paul asked if there are any structural concerns and Mr. Duchano replied no, but he will be installing a couple of sono tubes. Paul asked for a copy of the report from the structural engineer and
Mr. Duchano replied that he would forward a copy.
Jim Horgan motioned to continue to October 5, 2010, 2nd Glen Demers. Motion carried with all in favor.
- Continued Discussion – Subdivision Lot Plan Regulations:
The Board was in consensus to not make a decision tonight in regards to the lot configurations and contiguous uplands. They then continued with their review of the remaining draft regulation. Glen commented that he feels the density bonus for the Clustered Subdivisions is complicated and the Board discussed that maybe this could use some streamlining in the future to make it simpler. Kathy agreed it is difficult to calculate the density bonus.
Jim Horgan motioned to accept the draft #2 of the Subdivision Regulations Section 4.04 with the exception of 4.04.07, 2nd Glen Demers. Motion carried with all in favor.
At 7:00pm, Dave Kestner motioned for a short recess, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried with all in favor.
At 7:10pm the Board came back into session.
- Preliminary Review of Peer Review Proposals:
Kathy commented that she thought each member would like to review each of the 16 proposals submitted in response to the RFP. She prepared copies of 8 proposals for each member to take home tonight with a scoring sheet so that each member could review the proposals and score them according to the requirements put forth in the RFP. The Board agreed this was a good idea and they will each review the proposals and score them on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest.
- Discussion – Review of Zoning Ordinance:
Kathy explained that she has reviewed the Zoning Ordinance and has created a list of sections that need to be reviewed because they are conflicting, obsolete or inconsistent. She gave the example that “civic use” is a given definition but the term is not used in the table of permitted uses. There is also a list of suggested changes by Laura Spector to agree with state statute that was compiled last winter during her review of the Ordinances. Kathy will compile a list of the areas of concern and forwarded it to the Board. Kathy then stated one area she feels is lacking is a wind turbine section in the Ordinance and she will provide the Board with a copy of a Ordinance she has already created as a result of rigorous research.
Kathy added that she also feels the Table of Permitted Uses needs to be reviewed because for example a hair salon is not a permitted use in the Village Center according to the Table. The Board agreed to review the Table. She would also like to alphabetize each section to make it easier to find items in the Ordinances.
- Other Business Before the Board:
- Kathy explained that she contacted the sign shop at the NH Department of Corrections for a wetlands buffer marker that was discussed with the Board a few meetings ago. The price for these is 250 at $0.50 ea, 500 at $0.45 each and 1000 at $0.35 each. Kathy suggested the applicant purchase these from the Town at cost when they are required. Paul Parker motioned to order 500 wetland buffer signs at $0.45 a piece, 2nd Charlie King. Motion carried with all in favor.
- Kathy updated the Board on the gravel pit excavation permit issue with Pike Industries that has been outstanding for over the past year. Kathy explained that she and Dennis met with the state representative, Mary Pinkham Langer and reviewed Pike Industries files for compliance and came to the conclusion that the requirements Kathy and Dennis forwarded to Pike Industries is correct and Pike needs to come into compliance. Pike Industries responded with a letter requesting a meeting with the Board in order to discuss these issues. Paul asked if Ms. Langer would be available to be at a future Board meeting with Pike and Kathy replied yes. Dave stated that he would rather not have the meeting and instead respond with a letter to Pike telling them that
they need to come into compliance with RSA 155E as outlined by Kathy and Dennis both.
Jim asked what the minimum amount of time it would take Pike to come into compliance. Kathy replied that they should have all the information they would need to come into compliance because the materials are required by NHDES. Charlie K. suggested giving a deadline of the end of the year to come into compliance or they will not be able to operate in 2011. Kathy asked for clarification if he expects the applications to be submitted by December 31 or the applications to be approved by then. Jim Horgan motioned to authorize Kathy to send a letter to Pike requesting they submit an application with a submission deadline by November 15, 2010 or the Planning Board will need to take whatever legal action is available to them at that time, 2nd Glen Demers. Motion carried with all in favor.
- Paul stated that Joel Moulton as resigned from the Town and the Governors Road Subdivision needs to have a final inspection. Kathy explained that according to Legal the Town needs to pay for the inspection and would need to contract someone to do so. She then questioned if the Board would like FST Engineering to do this inspection. Jim Horgan motioned to engage FST Engineering to review the Governors Road Subdivision and do the final inspection, 2nd Dave Kestner. Motion carried with all in favor.
- Paul read a letter of resignation from Planning Board member Tracy Major. Jim Horgan motioned to accept Tracy Major’s resignation, 2nd Charlie King. Motion carried with all in favor.
At 8:42pm, Dave Kestner motioned to adjourn, 2nd Jim Horgan. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brandy Sanger
Recording Secretary
_________________________________________
Chairman, Paul Parker
| 
