Planning Board
Minutes of October 16, 2012
Approved November 20, 2012
Members Present: Bruce Healey, Chair; Ron Williams; Russell Smith; Bill Weiler; Deane Geddes, Alternate; Rachel Ruppel, Advisor
Mr. Healey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and appointed Mr. Geddes as a voting member for this evening’s meeting.
MINUTES
The Board reviewed the minutes of July 17, 2012 and made corrections. They will be reviewed again at the next meeting.
CASE: 2012 -013: Conceptual-Site Plan Review
Discussion took place regarding an application from Meghan Raymond concerning a potential site plan review for property located at Newbury Plaza, Newbury, NH, Tax Map 020-200-298. Ms. Raymond approached the Board to discuss her proposed business.
Ms. Raymond said she is looking to start her own full service hair salon in the Newbury Plaza. Mr. Healey asked her the times and dates of her operation. Ms. Raymond stated that she planned to operate Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Mr. Geddes noted that the intended space for the salon was already a salon in this same location previously. He said that he does not feel that there should be a site plan review since it already was a salon.
Mr. Weiler made a motion to not require a site plan review for this project. Mr. Williams seconded. All in Favor.
In Favor: Mr. Geddes, Mr. Smith, Mr. Weiler, Mr. Williams and Mr. Healey
Opposed: None
Ms. Ruppel said that the description of the salon will be placed in the property file for the Newbury Plaza.
CASE: 2012-012 Conceptual-Site Plan Review
The Planning Board discussed an application for a Conceptual – Site Plan Review from SP Construction and Ringscape Pools & Spas for a property located on Tax Map 007-319-105 on Tuesday, October 16, 2012, at 7:15 p.m. in the town Office Building at 937 Route 103 in Newbury, NH.
Steve Landrigan of State Park Realty and tenant Doug Ring of Ringscape Pools & Spas approached the Board to discuss the use of an accessory building for a retail business for a hot tub and spa business. Mr. Healey asked Mr. Ring what his intended hours of business would be. Mr. Ring said that he plans on being in business from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. six days a week. He would eventually like to increase his hours to seven days a week.
Mr. Weiler whether previous tenants had operated a retail sales business or a retail service business. Mr. Landrigan explained that the company that was renting from him previously was a furniture refinishing company.
Mr. Weiler said he has concerns that there is a hot tub in the front yard of the property. He said that it does not match the aesthetics of Newbury. Mr. Weiler said that he would prefer to see a sign promoting the business rather than a hot tub. Mr. Ring said that he feels that it does not ruin the aesthetics since there are so many people in the area that own hot tubs. Mr. Landrigan said that many retail business puts things out as samples and this should be treated the same. Ms. Ruppel said the question before the board is if the intended use of this proposed company is different enough from the past businesses that there should be a new site plan review.
Mr. Williams made a motion that a site plan review should not be required for this business. Mr. Weiler seconded. All in favor.
In Favor: Mr. Geddes, Mr. Smith, Mr. Weiler, Mr. Williams and Mr. Healey.
Opposed: None
CASE: 2012-011: Preliminary – Minor Subdivision & Lot Line Adjustment
Notice is hereby given that the Planning Board will receive submission of an application for a Preliminary – Minor Subdivision & Lot Line Adjustment from 1085 North Broadway LLC & Great Island Realty Trust for property located on Great Island, Newbury, NH Tax Map 016-761-212, and 005-002-227 on Tuesday, October 16, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. in the town Office Building at 937 Route 103 in Newbury, NH.
Ms. Ruppel reviewed the application and stated that the application was complete. Ms. Ruppel said a check in the full amount was submitted with the application. Mr. Ruppel said there was no density report submitted. Mr. Healey asked if the Board wants to accept this application as complete since there was no density report given.
Mr. Weiler said that he would like to see the density report since there appears to be steep slopes. Ms. Ruppel said that she made some calculations on the steep slopes. Mr. Weiler suggested that Ms. Ruppel show the applicants her results. Mr. Healey suspended the meeting briefly as Ms. Ruppel discussed her findings with the applicant. The applicant agreed with Ms. Ruppel’s findings and agreed to the proposed density report.
Mr. Healey reopened the hearing and asked the Board if they would accept the application as submitted.
Mr. Williams made a motion to accept the application as complete. Mr. Weiler seconded the motion. All in favor.
In Favor: Mr. Geddes, Mr. Smith, Mr. Weiler, Mr. Williams and Mr. Healey.
Opposed: None
Mr. Healey asked Mr. Hoffmeister and Mr. Dombroski to discuss their application with the Board. Mr. Hoffmeister explained that Great Island Realty Trust has owned the larger parcel for a while and that the new parcel was purchased and named 1085 North Broadway LLC. He said that he wants to combine the two parcels to create a total of three lots with two-two acre buildable lots. Mr. Healey asked if there is new acreage being added to the back lot. Mr. Hoffmeister said that they would like some of the older parcel being added to the newer parcel to create two- two acre lots.
Ms. Ruppel asked if there is a floodplain. Mr. Dombroski said that there is very little floodplain. Mr. Hoffmeister said that it is all rocks bordering the water. Mr. Geddes asked what the water source was. Mr. Hoffmeister replied that the lake was the water source.
Mr. Weiler asked if they could label the parcels better on the maps that were given to the Board. Mr. Dombrowki agreed to make a legend with more details on the new lots.
It was agreed that the applicant would proceed to a final hearing.
Mr. Healey opened the public hearing. There was no public in attendance. Mr. Healey closed the public hearing.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Work Sessions:
Mr. Healey stressed to the Board that it is important to let him know when a member can’t make a meeting. He stated that two meetings in the past four months have been cancelled due to not having a quorum.
Mr. Healey showed a flip chart of the last 10 months and the upcoming two. Out of the 12 months, 7 work sessions have been cancelled. He proposed a few different options to alleviate this problem. His suggestions were as follows:
- Have one a month and make no change
- Hold one every other month
- Have one per quarter
- Do not have any scheduled work sessions. All work sessions would be completed as part of the third Tuesday’s agenda. Chair could call for a first Tuesday work session as required.
Mr. Healey has asked three members previously (Mr. Powell, Mr. Dezotell and Mr. Vannatta) what they would like to do. He asked the present members what they would like to do. Mr. Weiler said that he thinks the Board needs to decide what they need to work on before they decide on how often they will meet. Mr. Healey said there is currently some work scheduled for the Board. Mr. Weiler said years ago there used to be amendments that would be included in the regularly scheduled third Tuesday meetings. Mr. Smith said choice 4 works well, but does not want really long meetings going late into the night. Mr. Geddes said that some of the past meetings were late because there was a lot of work on the table in the past couple years. He said now there are fewer cases, there would be more
time to discuss the administrative business after the heard cases. If they tend to go late, then an additional Tuesday can be scheduled. Mr. Williams agreed.
Mr. Healey said that this will go into effect immediately.
Joint Board Meeting:
Mr. Healey said that the Zoning Board would like to hold a joint meeting with the Planning Board. They would like to meet on Wednesday, October 24th at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Healey will send out the topics that the Zoning Board would like to discuss. Mr. Weiler reminded Mr. Healey that this notice needs to be posted more than 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
Mr. Geddes made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Smith seconded the motion. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Long
Acting Recording Secretary
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