NOTTINGHAM PLANNING BOARD
June 25, 2009
PUBLIC SESSION
Approved & Amended
Type of Meeting: Scheduled Workshop with Guest Speaker
Method of Notification: Posted at the Nottingham Municipal Building & Nottingham Post Office
Meeting Location: Nottingham Municipal Building
PB Members Present: Scott Canney, Chair; Arthur Stockus, Secretary; Mr. Peter Gylfphe, Robert “Buzz” Davies; Alternate Member, Ms. Mary Bonser; Selectmen’s Representative, Traci Chauvey; Alt. Member
PB Members Absent: Bill Dean, Vice Chair; Ms. Susan Mooney, Cheryl Smith; Alt. Member
Others Present: Lisa Sears; Land Use Clerk, Jack Mette, Mette Planning Consultants, Sam Demeritt; Nottingham Conservation Commission (NCC), Celia Abrams; NCC, Peter Landry; NCC & Nottingham ZBA, Mike Russo; Nottingham ZBA
Chair Canney called the meeting to order at approximately 7:05 pm. Ms. Chauvey was seated for the Open Seat and shortly after the meeting started, Mr. Davies was seated for Mr. Dean.
Mr. Mette addressed the Board and gave a brief overview of his experience and the work to date that he has done for the Nottingham’s Housing and Conservation Planning Project (HCPP) committee; Nottingham’s strengths and challenges. He reviewed a handout (see attached) that explained the Workforce Housing Law for Nottingham (RSA 674:58-61) and a snapshot of data on Nottingham (Population, Housing, Economy, Natural/Cultural Resources). It was noted that the deadline for the workforce housing law has been changed from July 1, 2009 to January 1, 2010.
Various points/concerns/questions on Workforce Housing/Open Space were discussed with the Board and the residents in attendance:
- If there is no regulation in place then a developer can come in with a proposal that would still go through the process but the Board would not have a basis to deny it. He also later noted that given current market conditions there may not be any proposals coming in. Mr. Mette also noted that the Town just has to provide reasonable and realistic opportunities for the development of workforce house including multi-family housing. The law states that the developer must state that his development has workforce housing in it, at the beginning of the process.
- Mr. Mette suggested defining smaller areas/zones for multi-family housing. Suggesting that the town may not want to see a 5+ multi family building go in area such as the town square. Also that the state defines multi-family as 5 or more units and they can be in an area where other uses are, like a commercial area.
- He also noted that the cost and time involved in proving the town’s “fair share” may not be worth doing as there is no “fair share calculation” to go by, and the standards would change from year to year.
- The law acknowledges the market conditions but states that the town has to provide reasonable opportunity for things like smaller lot sizes or multi family units. There is no consequence if the developers chose not to develop workforce housing here.
- Mr. Mette posed the question to the Board of “What is going to work for Nottingham?” in regards to workforce housing (i.e. putting a new zone in for the 5+ multi families only in the Rte 4 commercial zone). He noted that is what the Board must decide and start working towards, and stick with what ever it decides on.
- It was noted that there will be a need to change or add to the Zoning Ordinances in order to meet requirements (“reasonable opportunity”) of this law. Later it was discussed that it may be best not to try to do all the changes at once.
- Mr. Russo discussed how using the Rte 4 zone as a multi family/workforce housing zone may be a good idea due to the future need of having some kind of public transportation in that area as well.
- Discussion also was on how much of the town could be allotted for this; due to conservation, historical and cultural areas. It was also noted that workforce housing isn’t only new development/lots but could be redevelopment from something existing; an example of adding 5 units in an old barn or mill was used.
- Discussion was on designated certain areas for this and where. They also discussed areas they think should not have this, like the town square. Mr. Mette agreed noting that the square is a remarkable and unique in the State. It has historical, natural and cultural value and should be protected.
Mr. Mette gave example of existing workforce housing for the Board to go visit: Watson Woods in Exeter and Riverside Farm Drive in Deerfield. Inclusionary Zoning was briefly discussed. He noted similar projects and ordinances he is currently working on for other towns. He also suggested more info is available on this in the Innovative Land Use Handbook.
He also suggested not trying to pick up from another town’s model ordinance. He noted that he didn’t like working that way, if he was doing it. He noted it would be specific to Nottingham and would need to know things like; “What do you want this ordinance to achieve?” He noted that he would have to spend about 6 months and $5-10,000 for his services on this project. Chair Canney noted that much of this work is completed and they have answered alot of these types of questions. Mrs. Sears noted it would be helpful to the Board if they had assistance in defining their goals/objectives for the ordinance and someone to help keep them focused on those objectives throughout the process. Chair Canney suggested that perhaps using Mr. Mette to work as a consultant to the Board or Mr. Mette giving some kind
of an outline for the Board to follow.
Mr. Mette cautioned the Board that there is an important element to all of this is in the education of the residents in getting this a positive outcome at town meeting. He also noted that change is going to happen and unless you plan for it, it maybe changes the Town won’t be happy with. He gave examples of the types of details the Board would need to decide on. Mr. Landry suggested that if the Board had money in the budget to have Mr. Mette do a review of all the town regulations. Mr. Mette said that he would be happy to do an audit but that would be separate from the open space/workforce housing issue.
Discussion was on planning ideals (no clusters, no cul-de-sacs, market conditions, etc) of how things should be done and how they have been done in the past. Mr. Mette noted that once the Board comes to a decision on something then it does need to stick to it and move on.
Mr. Mette suggested, due to time constraints, that this Board first work on making a new 5+ unit multi family zone in the Rte 4 commercial area to go to the voters in 2010 and work on a separate Open Space ordinance after that. He suggested not trying to combine the workforce and open space into one ordinance. Next year, work on the rest of workforce house ordinance. Mr. Mette noted that there probably won’t be any developers coming in soon for workforce housing due to market conditions. Mr. Mette noted that the courts would perhaps see that providing for the multi family as a step in the direction for workforce housing, if someone did come in. Mrs. Sears has been keeping records in how much the Board has done so far to show they are trying to work on this issue. Mr. Mette thanked the Board. The Board will review
the budget and the planner budget line at a later date to determine if Mr. Mette could be used on as a consultant on this or other projects.
Review of the minutes
June 17, 2009
Line 27 Change in and out to access and egress
Line 153 Change Ms. to Mr.
MOTION by Ms. Bonser to accept the minutes of June 17, 2009 as amended.
SECOND by Mr. Stockus
VOTE 5-Aye. 0- Opposed 0- Abstained MOTION PASSED
MOTION by Mr. Stockus to adjourn.
SECOND by Ms. Bonser
VOTE 5-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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