Chairman Scott Badger called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M.
ATTENDING:
Members - Scott Badger, Sarah Kimball, David Treadwell and Bea Davis arrived at 7:25 Alternates - George Howard, Larry Siebert and Michael Mallett. Betsey Harding, Ray Abbott and Darren Leavitt contacted the chairman to say they would not be able to attend.
There were no members of the public attending.
The minutes from 1/17 were discussed. A motion was made to accept by Dave Treadwell and 2nd by Michael Mallett. The motion passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
None
2012 PLANNING BOARD INITIATIVES DISCUSSION:
Scott went over upcoming items:
Site disturbance, Burr Philips has prepared recommendations to be presented to the Selectmen. The Selectmen may then ask the Planning Board to work on some amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.
Dexter Harding, representing the Upper Saco Valley Land Trust, has asked for a joint meeting with the Conservation Commission, Selectman and Planning Board to discuss the development of a Strategic Conservation Plan designed to protect natural resources.
The Master Plan needs to be updated. Scott informed the board that he does not have the time himself to be directly involved, but that it does need to be done. There will be further discussion at the next meeting, including the formation of a sub-committee.
Building Code Enforcement will likely be an issue as well. In Scott’s opinion, if the petitioned article passes, it doesn’t necessarily mean Jackson voters don’t want enforcement, it could also mean that voters want the opportunity to have a say in whether and how it’s enforced. Residential vs. Commercial inspections etc. If it fails, then that would suggest the Town does want enforcement, but the Zoning Ordinance is at least unclear, and authorization is still in question. Either way, the Planning Board may need to consider amendments, a new section or separate ordinance.
If anything is done by the board, Scott’s feels that it shouldn’t be amendments to Section 16, which is fine as a Zoning Ordinance compliance process, but instead a new section for building code enforcement. Michael Mallett feels the same, and sees other towns doing that as well. For the sake of fairness and transparency, George Howard would like there to be a clear job description and list of requirements for the Building Inspector, including what work would require inspection by a certified expert.
Sarah Kimball, Frank Benesh, George Howard and Besey Harding have all put together some good amendment options, so much of the work has already been done.
Dave suggested that George put together his ideas and present to the Planning Board. One person working on it initially may be more clear than a group discussion that, given the issues, easily goes in circles. George will be glad to do that.
Larry Siebert felt that the LGC PowerPoint on Building Code Enforcement should be very helpful in working through the murky RSA’s.
Larry informed the board that there is a second petition regarding building code enforcement, which will be voted on at the town meeting, asking the Selectmen to continue their current enforcement. Scott asked what would happen if both petitions pass. Some thought that the second petition, continuing the current process, would take precedence as its vote would occur after the ballot vote of the petition asking that the process be repealed.
One other issue that’s been recently raised is to re-zone Route 16 north of the village as Rural Residential to prevent commercial development along it. It was pointed out that that would be a significant taking of value from properties currently zoned as commercial, and that neither the land nor it’s market potential would support much development.
OLD BUSINESS:
The New Land and Planning Regulation books have arrived. Those that ordered one can pick it up in the meeting room
NEW BUSINESS.
There was no new business.
There was no further discussion.
Move to adjourn by Sarah Kimball and 2nd by Dave Treadwell. The motion carries and the meeting adjourned at 7:45.
Respectfully submitted,
Ella Cressy, Secretary
February 10th, 2012
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