Planning Board
November 18, 2014
Approved December 16, 2014
Members Present: Bruce Healey, Chair; Tom Vannatta, Vice-Chair; Ron Williams, Bill Weiler, Members; Richard Wright, Ex-officio Member; Deane Geddes, Alternate; Mike McCrory, Advisor.
Mr. Healey called the meeting to order at 7:03p.m.
Mr. Healey appointed Mr. Geddes as a voting member for this meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Minutes
The Board reviewed the minutes of October 21, 2014 and made corrections. Mr. Vannatta made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected. Mr. Wright seconded the motion. All in favor.
CASE: Case 2014-012: Conceptual Review – Site Plan –
Patrick Hayward – B&P Collectibles, 1387 Route 103, Map/Lot 007-319-105
Patrick Hayward, owner and proprietor of B&P Collectibles, Georges, Mills, NH, informed the Board that he has rented the retail property located at 1387 Route 103 and intends to open B&P Collectibles at that location. He is renting the storefront from Steven Landrigan, property owner. The location will serve as Mr. Hayward’s office as well as a retail space for dealing in the buying and selling of gold, fine small antiquities such as clocks, jewelry, and artwork.
Mr. Hayward said he would like to place a portable A-frame sign in front of the storefront and added that the signage would meet all the town requirements for same. He said the approximate square footage of the building is 216 square feet, there are two- to three existing parking spaces, operating hours would be 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and there would be three employees. He added that he would also like to place a temporary portable tent adjacent to the building for merchandise storage, weather permitting.
The Board discussed whether Mr. Hayward’s business constitutes a change of use for the property or if it was merely a change in tenancy. There was Board consensus that this was a change in tenancy and that further examination by the Board was not needed. The Board wished Mr. Hayward good luck in his new venture.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS
LSPA Watershed Committee Shoreland Regs Project
Mr. McCrory informed the Board that there has been discussion with LSPA and NHDES regarding how best to enforce the shoreland regulations of the four watershed towns (Newbury, New London, Sunapee, and Springfield). He reviewed the Watershed Committee’s progress to date and said his recommendation is to pursue a grant that would adequately fund a multi-town “focus” meeting to examine the potential next steps.
Discussion followed regarding the issue of shoreland regulation enforcement.
Mr. McCrory suggested looking at the issue from the standpoint of water quality and strive towards establishing an oversight entity that would be local but carry the enforcement capabilities of DES. He suggested approaching the topic from the water to the land instead of the opposite. Discussion followed.
Mr. McCrory noted that he would follow up with LSPA and keep the Board informed.
Newbury Master Plan Update~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mr. Healey noted that it is time to begin the process of updating the existing Newbury Master Plan. He said completion of the new plan is set for April 1, 2018. He added that Mr. Vannatta and Mr. Weiler were deeply involved in the research and writing of the Plan in 2006 and turned over the discussion to Mr. Vannatta.
Mr. Vannatta suggested the following steps moving forward:
(1) Review the current Plan and use it as a guideline;
(2)~Conduct some self-assessments to determine where the town is now in relation to the Plan;
(3) Form a small group to conduct the above self-assessments;
(4)~Determine what information in the Plan may be carried over and what information needs updating;
(5) Review the preparation process used in the creation of the existing Plan; and
(6) Develop a procedure for implementation of the Plan update.
Mr. Vannatta noted that the updating will take about a year to complete.
Mr. McCrory added that two new areas that should be included are energy issues and climate adaptation.
Mr. Vannatta added that including the area of environmental impact in the new plan is essential.
Mr. Weiler suggested that a professional Master Plan writer should be hired to assist the Board through the entire process. The Board agreed.
Mr. McCrory suggested issuing a RFP for the Plan writer. Mr. Wright noted that there is some money in the budget devoted to professional assistance.
Mr. Healey agreed to pursue the matter of issuing a RFP with the Town Administrator and to keep the Board informed of his progress.
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PB Alternate Interview
The Board interviewed Bob Caia, prior owner of Bob’s Beacon Marina, Newbury, as a possible alternate to the Board.
Mr. Vannatta made a motion to appoint Mr. Caia as an alternate to the Planning Board, effective immediately. Mr. Weiler seconded the motion. Mr. Healey called for a Roll Call vote.
In Favor: Mr. Geddes, Mr. Williams, Mr. Wright, Mr. Weiler, Mr. Vannatta, Mr. Healey
Opposed: None
Mr. Geddes made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Weiler seconded the motion. All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Meg Whittemore
Recording Secretary
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