NOTTINGHAM PLANNING BOARD
March 25, 2009
PUBLIC SESSION
Approved & Amended
Type of Meeting: Scheduled
Method of Notification: Posted at the Nottingham Municipal Building & Nottingham Post Office
Meeting Location: Nottingham Municipal Building
Members Present: Ms. Sue Mooney, Mr. Scott Canney, Traci Chauvey; Alt. Member, Arthur Stockus, Bill Dean
Members Absent: Mr. Peter Gylfphe; Ms. Mary Bonser; Selectmen’s Representative, Robert “Buzz” Davies; Alternate Member,
Cheryl Smith; Alt Member
Others Present: Mrs. Lisa Sears; Land Use Clerk, Dave Smith
Mr. Canney called the meeting to order at approximately 7:05 pm.
Ms. Chauvey was seated for Mr. Gylfphe. New members Arthur Stockus and Bill Dean introduced themselves and gave a brief overview of their planning board and municipal experience. The old board members welcomed the new members.
Election of Officers/Open Position
MOTION by Ms. Chauvey to elect Scott Canney as Chair
SECOND by Ms. Mooney
Ms. Mooney and Ms. Chauvey noted that Mr. Canney has the leadership skills and experience to fill the position. Mr. Dean noted that he has been at a few meetings with Mr. Canney. He endorsed Mr. Canney for this position.
VOTE 4-Aye. 0- Opposed 1- Abstained MOTION PASSED
Mr. Canney abstained from the vote.
Chair Canney continued to run the meeting. The Board noted the open positions that need to be elected each year. Ms. Chauvey noted that Ms. Bonser is the new Selectman’s Ex-officio but she is away on vacation. She also noted that there is an empty seat left vacant by Bob Davidson. Mrs. Sears noted that the resignation came after the time needed by the Town Clerk to have this seat put on the ballot. It was noted that the Board could appoint a person for that open seat but it would only be for the amount left in that seat, in this case one year.
Ms. Chauvey expressed again that she believes that Mr. Davies would be a good addition to fill that seat but he has noted that he wanted to get more experience before becoming a full member. She noted that if Mr. Davies doesn’t fill that seat then she would consider it because she believes that it is best for the public when there is a full board.
Mr. Dean acknowledged Mr. Smith’s experience but noted there is a lot of work to be done by this Board in the next year or two and there is a need for a full board with a lot of involvement by all the members.
He also suggested that the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Building Inspector come together at a workshop type meeting to tighten up and update the existing regulations. He suggested advertising the open position in the Forum, the town newsletter and website as well as Channel 22.
The Board discussed the related RSA and bylaws that note if an appointed position can also hold an officers position. It was noted later that regardless whether being appointed or elected that person can hold an officer position per RSAs but the Nottingham Bylaws state that officers must be elected. (i.e. Chair, Vice Chair or Secretary).
MOTION by Ms. Chauvey to have Dave Smith to be an alternate member of the Planning Board
SECOND by Mr. Stockus
The Board reviewed with Dave Smith the advantages of an alternate position vs. being appointed for the open seat. Ms. Chauvey withdrew her motion and Mr. Stockus withdrew his second.
MOTION by Ms. Chauvey to appoint Mr. Smith for the vacant seat left by Bob Davidson; one year term remaining.
SECOND by Mr. Stockus
VOTE 4-Aye. 0- Opposed 1- Abstained MOTION PASSED
Mr. Dean abstained from the vote. Mr. Smith will get sworn in with the Town Clerk before the next meeting.
MOTION by Ms. Chauvey to make William “Bill” Dean as Vice Chair
SECOND by Mr. Canney
VOTE 4-Aye. 0- Opposed 1- Abstained MOTION PASSED
Mr. Dean abstained from the vote.
The Board discussed the duties of the Secretary position.
MOTION by Ms. Chauvey to make Arthur Stockus for the Secretary position.
SECOND by Mr. Dean
VOTE 4-Aye. 0- Opposed 1- Abstained MOTION PASSED
Mr. Stockus abstained from the vote.
It was noted that there can be up to 5 alternates on the elected or appointed Planning Board for a term of three years each.
Review of Previous Minutes
The Board tabled the minutes until more members where present.
Other Business
The Board discussed attending the NH OEP training on Sat. May 2. Mrs. Sears noted that she can register members and have the cost billed to the town. She noted that Mike Russo from the ZBA is also attending.
They briefly discussed the budget, a checklist for third party experts and the role of the building inspector. Mr. Canney noted that Mr. Jack Mette services could also be used. Mr. Dean also noted that we could use the Rockingham County Planning Commission’s Services as well as Strafford Regional Planning Commission’s.
Ms. Chauvey noted that Mr. Brown believes that the impact fee study should be overseen by the Planning Board but Ms. Bonser from the BOS wants a Request for Proposal (RFP) to go out for bid.
She also thanked Mr. Dean for his support in getting signatures for this warrant article and for speaking at town meeting on the topic.
Ms. Chauvey noted that impact fees are highly regulated by the state and will be highly scrutinized as well. She noted that whomever does this must have expertise in the area. They discussed who could be sent the RFP as well making the RFP publicly available. She also noted that Mr. Brown will send out the RFP but this Planning Board will have to conduct the interviews, in a similar way as the HCCP committee has recently done there RFP. Ms. Chauvey noted she will write the Scope of Services section of the RFP but would like to bring it before this Board for input. The Board agreed. Mrs. Chauvey will be on next week’s agenda. It was noted this should be started soon so that it can be put before the voters next year. Ms. Chauvey thanked the Board for their support.
The Board reviewed their “to do” list and meeting schedule. Mrs. Sears gave the Board a brief overview of the upcoming cases that will be on the schedule. She also asked the Board to review the topic of building on and subdividing on a private road (RSA 674:41).
Mrs. Sears also noted the NH OEP annual spring training, board members will fill out the forms to her by Weds, April 22nd.
The Board discussed their “to do” list. Mr. Dean noted the bankruptcy hearing for USA Springs is on May 4th. Ms. Mooney noted that she and most members do not attend many USA Springs meetings so that if they have to appear before this board, USA Springs can not get the impression that members are bias.
Ms. Chauvey note that she didn’t think that subdivision regulation review should be done first because it will eventually have to be reviewed again after the Open Space Ordinance and Conservation Overlay District (COD) are completed. She noted that at minimum the definitions will have to change.
Mr. Dean sited that the subdivision regulations, site plan review and the zoning ordinances all need to be reviewed and cleaned up in regards to existing State regulations.
MOTION: Mr. Dean made a motion to have one workshop on April 8th and April 22nd to discuss and complete the subdivision regulations (Sub Regs), with Paul Colby and members of the ZBA in attendance.
There was some confusion on the subdivision regulations: there are two sets. One is the current ones which members all have in their binders (existing regs) and there is a set (with a new 16 page application) that had been rewritten a few years ago by the planner and the Board is in process of reviewing. It was noted back when there was a Planner, that a whole new clean up or rewrite of these subdivision regulation was needed and that is what the Board has been reviewing. Mrs. Sears noted if the existing Sub Regs are reviewed for a “quick clean up” then the Board goes back and finishes the “new rewritten” Sub Regs and application, then after the COD and Open Space Documents are completed you will have done the Sub Regs review three times.
Mr. Smith noted the recent Zoning Ordinance changes that just passed will have to be incorporated into the exciting Sub Regs as well. Mrs. Chauvey noted that we may be doubling your work. Mr. Dean noted that they need to work in high speed to get a lot of this work completed. He also noted that he believes that the Zoning Board should be involved as well as the Building Inspector; Paul Colby. It was noted that workforce housing must be done soon as well.
Ms. Chauvey noted that when the Planner was here the Board hadn’t gotten through these items and she didn’t think that having Mr. Colby’s input would not make this Board go any faster, either. She acknowledged Mr. Colby’s expertise, but noted that the Planner (from SRPC) did have too much detail and may have pushed their ideas.
The Board will ask Mr. Colby to attend the April 8th meeting with his recommendations for the quick changes needed to the clean up of Sub Regs. It was clarified that Nottingham is up to date on everything in ZO except the one article (#9 atempting to match with the States stricter regulations) that didn’t pass. Old Board members explained the history involved with the Town setbacks (50’). It was noted that this down likes its 50’ set backs. It was also explained that the Town sets all it’s own zoning ordinances, sub regs and site plan regulations, that it does not have to match the States. It was also noted that if the State and Town differ then per RSA it is whichever regulation is stricter that is the one that must be followed.
The Board discussed possibly getting input from the ZBA to improve the communication between the two groups. It was noted that the ZBA has also expressed interest in this issue as well.
Ms. Chauvey noted she will come to the next meeting for the scope of services for the impact fee study.
The Board debated in great detail which item to do first on their “to-do list”; including the existing sub regs vs. the new sub regs. It was noted that Mr. Colby could aid in combining both sets, if he comes to the meeting with his recommendations completed and each board member does as well. Mrs. Sears will give all the members a set of the sub regs that are in progress.
Point of Order: There was no second to Mr. Dean’s motion, motion fails.
Chair Canney noted that he wanted things to finish things and move on.
Mrs. Sears will ask SRPC for samples of work force housing ordinances that have passed at the recent town meetings.
The Board continued to review each of the items on the “to do” list and do a timeline for the items.
Mrs. Sears asked for input from Chair Canney on a recent phone call. He will review with her tomorrow during office hours.
She also announced an open seat for at the SRPC Technical Advisory Committee. The Board noted that this committees’ meetings are not held at a time that works for them.
Point of Order: Mr. Dean briefly left the room when the motion to adjourn was made.
MOTION by Ms. Chauvey to adjourn.
SECOND by Ms. Mooney.
VOTE 4-Aye. 0- Opposed 0- Abstained MOTION PASSED
Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa L. Sears
Land Use Clerk
These minutes are subject to approval at a regularly scheduled Planning Board meeting at which time the above minutes are corrected or accepted.
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