NOTTINGHAM PLANNING BOARD
PUBLIC HEARING
FEBRUARY 20, 2008
Approved 03/19/08, as written
PRESENT: ABSENT:
Mr. Dave Smith, Chair Mr. Peter Bock, Selectmen’s Representative
Mr. Peter Gylfphe, Vice Chair
Ms. Gail Mills, Secretary
Mr. Bob Davidson
Ms. Mary Bonser, Selectmen’s Representative
Mr. Scott Canney
OTHERS PRESENT:
Ms. Sue Mooney, Nottingham Conservation Commission
Ms. Deb Stevens, Nottingham Conservation Commission
Ms. Celia Abrams, Nottingham Conservation Commission
Mr. David H. Wilson, Observer
Ms. Traci Chauvey, Secretary to the Planning Board
Chair Smith called the hearing to order at 7:05 PM. He noted for those present that Ms. Mooney had requested to be placed on the agenda for this evening’s meeting and asked her to speak.
Ms. Mooney stated that she wanted to inform the Planning Board that she was going to run as a write-in candidate for the Planning Board. She believes it will help bridge some of the communication gaps between the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board. Ms. Bonser confirmed that Ms. Mooney would retain her position on the Conservation Commission.
Ms. Mooney stated that the Conservation Commission was also present this evening to get public confirmation that the Planning Board intends to move forward with the Conservation Overlay District Ordinance for 2009. Chair Smith stated that he felt the first step was to get legal council regarding the ordinance as it is written. Mr. Davidson suggested forming a subcommittee from members of the Planning Board and Conservation Commission to focus only on the ordinance throughout the next several months to come up with something concrete to present to the voters at the end of 2008.
Chair Smith asked Ms. Chauvey to send another memo to the Board of Selectmen requesting a change of legal council and contact/discussion with Attorney Susan Slack.
Ms. Abrams inquired about hiring a professional planner to help with the ordinance. Chair Smith indicated that administration was looking for budget cuts for the next year and he was not sure if funds would be available. Ms. Bonser stated that she believes there is enough money in the budget. Ms. Mills noted that all fees incurred by Strafford Regional Planning could have legally been passed on to the applicant. Ms. Bonser suggested that the Planning Board send out Request for Proposals for a professional planner and go through the interview process. Mr. Davidson stated that he believes the Planning Board is in need of professional planning advice to help them guide the direction that the town wants to move in regards to zoning, subdivision, and conservation. He believes professional
planning advice would be a more efficient use of money than hiring an attorney to help with the ordinances and guide this process. He feels that the Planning Board needs to not only look at where they want to be at the end of this year but also, 5, 10, 15 years from now. Ms. Bonser referred Mr. Davidson to Nottingham’s Master Plan, noting that it serves as the Planning Board’s guide for the future. Mr. Davidson stated that he believes the Board needs assistance in getting from Point A to Point B. Ms. Bonser agreed. Ms. Mills strongly supported Mr. Davidson sentiment. Chair Smith stated that the Planning Board fully intends to move forward with the Conservation Overlay District. Ms. Bonser, acknowledging that other towns allow cluster subdivisions, asked if other towns were prepared to adopt the Conservation Overlay District, a specific effort put forth by Strafford Regional Planning Commission, adding that she would prefer
another town to be the “test case.” Ms. Abrams stated that this is only two years old and she is not sure if other towns have or will be adopting it. Ms. Bonser believes the Conservation Commission should check into this, and if there is another town that has adopted it, the Conservation Commission should see how this town makes out with it over the next year.
The Conservation Commission members left the meeting at this time.
MINUTES:
January 2, 2008
Chair Smith noted that the word “not” should be “no” on Page 2, first paragraph, 18th line. He asked to have the incomplete sentence removed from the second page, second to the last paragraph. Ms. Chauvey recommended changing “abuts” to “abutting” o Page 3, first sentence in the 4th paragraph. Chair Smith asked Ms. Chauvey to reword the 4th sentence of the 4th paragraph, as well as, the 6th sentence of the 2nd paragraph on Page 4.
Mr. Davidson made a motion to accept the minutes of January 16, 2008, as written. Mr. Canney seconded the motion. Chair Smith, Mr. Gylfphe, Ms. Mills, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Canney voted in favor. Ms. Bonser abstained. Motion passed 5-0-1.
January 16, 2008
Mr. Davidson made a motion to accept the minutes of January 16, 2008, as written. Mr. Canney seconded the motion. Chair Smith, Mr. Gylfphe, Ms. Mills, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Canney voted in favor. Ms. Bonser abstained. Motion passed 5-0-1.
January 22, 2008
Ms. Bonser noted that she and her husband were not listed under present for the meeting, however, both had attended.
Mr. Gylfphe made a motion to accept the minutes of January 22, 2008, as amended. Ms. Mills seconded. Chair Smith, Mr. Gylfphe, Ms. Mills, Mr. Davidson, and Mr. Canney voted in favor. Ms. Bonser abstained. Motion passed 5-0-1.
January 30, 2008
Chair Smith noted that the word “it” in the 8th line of the first paragraph should be “the”.
Mr. Gylfphe made a motion to accept the minutes of January 30, 2008, as amended. Ms. Mills seconded. Chair Smith, Mr. Gylfphe, Ms. Mills and Mr. Canney voted in favor. Ms. Bonser and Mr. Davidson abstained. Motion passed 4-0-2.
OTHER BUSINESS:
At Chair Smith’s inquiry, Mr. Wilson stated he is a resident over on Berry Road and he is currently enrolled in a program at UNH. He has been assigned the task of attending local town board meetings to observe their operation. He indicated that this has been an unexpected learning experience. Chair Smith informed Mr. Wilson that the Planning Board is looking for alternates. Mr. Wilson noted that he had missed the deadline for signing up for the election this year but indicated that he plans to be around for some time.
Ms. Chauvey excused herself from the table and requested to speak to the Board. Acknowledging Ms. Mooney’s statements to the Planning Board, Ms. Chauvey informed them that she, also, intended to run as a write in candidate for one of the three year Planning Board openings. Noting that the Planning Board’s By-Laws do not allow for the secretary to be a member of the Board, she further informed them that she has applied for the open position in the Selectmen’s Office.
Ms. Mills stated she wanted the Planning Board to read and be aware of NH RSAs 674:36 and 673:16.
Mr. Gylfphe made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Mills seconded the motion. All in favor. Motion passed 4-1.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Traci Chauvey
Planning Board Secretary
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