Newton Planning Board
Minutes of WORKSESSION MEETING
JUNE 26, 2007
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1. Call to Order
Chairman Kim Pettit called the meeting to order at 7:30pm. In attendance were: Chairman Kim Pettit; Planning Board Members: Frank Gibbs, Rich LeClaire, and Kim Vaillant; Circuit Rider Planner Reuben Hull; and Administrative Assistant Lisa Babcock. Minutes were transcribed and typed by Lisa Babcock.
2. Overview of applications/project status
a) 125 Development Corp/Puzzle Lane. The board briefly discussed the status of 125 Development Corp/Coleman McDonough’s Puzzle Lane projects. Pettit suggested that the board prepare a summary that explains the status of each project in the development.
b) Woodhouse/Walnut Farm. Pettit informed the board that David Storey is purchasing the Woodhouse subdivision MBL 13/3/6,7,8,10,11,12 and has plans to close during the week of July 2.
c) Gundersen/Nordic Woods. Pettit informed the board that Fred Gundersen had requested a bond reduction on the Nordic Woods project and instructed the AA to send the bond paperwork to Altus for review. The request will go before the board in July.
2. Sara Realty/Whispering Pines Campground
Pettit noted that, although the board had voted that Sara Realty’s proposal did not meet the criteria for natural expansion during the June 12th public hearing, as a matter of procedure, a vote to deny the application should be taken.
Pettit moved to deny the application by Sara Realty, subject to the findings made on 6/12/07, because the applicant proposes the expansion of a non-conforming use in Residence A which is prohibited except by variance from the ZBA. Second by LeClaire. Passed 4-0.
3. Fees and Procedures
Hull updated the board on his progress on reorganizing the fee schedule and creating a procedures manual. He suggested extracting section 6 (which describes application procedures) and section 7.1 (which describes site plan requirements) from the Non-Residential Site Plan Review Regulations and placing those in the proposed procedures manual. Hull also said that portions of Appendix A (p. 27) would also be moved to the procedures manual.
Hull said that similar sections of the Subdivision Regulations (section 6 and section 8.1 which describe procedures) along with selections from Appendix A (p. 34) will also be moved to the procedures manual.
The board discussed changing some of the fees. The current application fee is $500. Pettit suggested a fee of $150 for smaller conditional uses such as home based business, accessory apartments and home occupations.
Pettit also suggested that abutter notices be set at actual cost and Hull suggested having the applicant send out the abutter notices reducing clerical costs. Pettit suggested having the legal ad fee come out of the $5,000 engineering deposit.
Regarding engineering fees, Hull suggested a $2,000 fee for minor subdivisions (1-3 lots) and lot-line adjustments and a $5,000 fee for major subdivisions and eliminating the per-foot roadway fee. Hull also said that he would clarify the language for the per-lot fee for subdivisions, since, as currently written, it is unclear as to whether the existing lot is subject to the fee.
Pettit said the treasurer should be notified of the proposed fee changes and asked for input.
Hull said he would prepare the fee schedule and procedures manual for discussion at the July 10th meeting which could then be noticed for approval in August.
4. Other Business
a) Vaillant discussed several possible unapproved driveways in town. Pettit suggested that the selectmen’s office be notified. Gibbs said he would provide the selectmen’s office with the details.
b) Gibbs mentioned that the roofing contractor’s machinery should be removed from the handicapped parking area at the town hall.
c) Pettit directed the AA to follow up with the selectmen’s office regarding the engineering contract.
d) Pettit directed the AA to apply the grammatical corrections provided by Ms. Hoffman at the June 12th meeting to the Vision Chapter of the Master Plan.
5. Adjourn
Vaillant motion to adjourn at 9:00. Second by LeClaire. Passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa Babcock
Administrative Assistant
Newton Planning board.
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