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HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

MINUTES

February 10, 2009

APPROVED:

______________________

AGENDA: PUBLIC HEARING ON DESIGN STANDARDS

PCC: DON MILBRAND, Town Signs

CONT. COA: DOUG VOELBEL/SARA SHATTUCK, 16 Pleasant Street, #114-190

ATTEND: Clay Dingman (Chairman), Dorcas Gordon, Sandra Heaney

ABSENT: Larry Douglas (Vice-Chair. – away), Rick Alpers (Sel. Rep.),

Robin Fitzgerald (Alternate), Mark Greenwood (Alternate)

OTHER: Dan Paradis (Planning Board Chairman), Don Milbrand (Selectman)

The meeting opened at 7:07 pm.

MINUTES OF JANUARY 13, 2009:

The following amendments and clarifications were made:

Page 2, last paragraph under Workshop: Guidelines, replace “chop it down” with “make the standards more succinct”. Under HDC Web Site, last line, replace “partially” with “password”. Page 3, under Other, 5^th line, replace “cola” with “COLA” and in the 6^th line, remove replace “Department’s” with “Department”.

S. Heaney made a motion, second by D. Gordon, to approve the minutes as amended. The motion carried.

PUBLIC HEARING ON DESIGN STANDARDS:

Mr. Dingman stated that he has not received the Town Attorney’s comments as yet (Town Attorney is Bernie Waugh). He has advised that we should use “Standards” instead of “Guidelines” as the latter is only suggestions. Standards are what is to be done.

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Historic District Commission

2/10/09

DESIGN STANDARDS HEARING continued:

Dan Paradis, Chairman to the Planning Board, stated that Ms. Bonsteel (Land Use Officer) is not for these as written and he feels that it reads like a Master Plan instead of Standards. Ms. Bonsteel needs something more, such as a checklist.

Ms. Gordon stated that they have tried to be more subjective; it would be harsh and objective otherwise. Ms. Heaney added that the Commission did not want to be honorous.

Mr. Paradis asked about colors, suggesting pastels. He mentioned that Atty. Waugh does not like the words when something is “discouraged”. Mr. Dingman felt that this can be modified but this, as it stands, would be a start. A discussion followed as to how it will work with Ms. Bonsteel. Mr. Paradis added that he is not sure that Atty. Waugh will go along with Ms. Bonsteel making decisions without the HDC (Historic District Commission). Mr. Dingman felt that what was being presented is more subjective than what we have at present. Ms. Heaney felt that it is a negotiation.

Mr. Dingman stated that they will take into consideration Atty. Waugh’s feedback (when we get it) as well as any Ms. Bonsteel has, and they can hold another public hearing, if necessary. Ms. Gordon stated that the Commission could make bullet points but they may not cover all situations.

With no other comments, D. Gordon made a MOTION, second by S. Heaney, to ACCEPT THE DESIGN STANDARDS AS PRESENTED. The motion CARRIED.

CONTINUED COA: DOUG VOELBEL/SARA SHATTUCK

S. Heaney made a MOTION, second by D. Gordon, to CONTINUE THIS CASE TO APRIL 14, 2009. The motion CARRIED.

PCC: DON MILBRAND

Mr. Milbrand stated that he is here to address the sandwich signs in the Square (Historic District). He presented the members with a copy of a proposal for the “Bristol business directional sign system” along with drawings of a couple of ideas for its design. He added that this is based on the state’s “tourist oriented directional signage” system. He thinks that a sign manufacturer will be chosen to make the signs.

The Commission is in favor of such a sign. Ms. Heaney mentioned the one in Sandwich which has individual picket fence signs with the point headed in the direction of the business. She suggested that they be of painted wood so they can be reused when someone moves out. Mr. Dingman offered to get pictures of the ones in both Sandwich and in Meredith and any others that he may find. Ms. Heaney stated that the font should be the same on all of them and the same as the Historic District signs.

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Historic District Commission

2/10/09

PCC: DON MILBRAND continued:

Mr. Dingman thought that the suggested price of $200.00, with a yearly fee of $10.00, might be too high. Ms. Heaney felt that the TTCC and the Churches should be excluded from the price or Bristol might want to consider doing it as a welcome gesture to the businesses. Mr. Paradis felt that that might create a problem as to who gets the top billing.

The area to place the sign was then discussed and it was thought that the best place would be in front of the bank area.

Ms. Gordon felt that our town is not like Sandwich and perhaps we might want to consider different colors for each business. It was suggested that the colors could match the business sign colors for easier identification.

Mr. Dingman stated that it should be painted wood, in keeping with the Historic District signs and that Mr. Milbrand should come back for a review in April. In the meantime, he shall get pictures. He also suggested the sign maker in Littleton. Mr. Milbrand stated that they have used Newfound Signs in the past.

Mr. Paradis said that we could give the businesses the sign size wanted, charge $150.00, and let them do the sign themselves. Ms. Heaney suggested Dick Bachelder, who is a very good carpenter.

NEXT MEETING:

Our next scheduled meeting is March 10^th, which is voting day and Mr. Dingman will be away. It was determined to cancel this meeting until April 14^th. Applicants have until Feb. 16^th to apply (none have come in as yet).

CORRESPONDENCE:

The membership for the NH Preservation Alliance is due. Mr. Dingman said that he will do this himself.

OTHER:

HDC terms expiring: Ms. Heaney’s term will be up in March and she expressed that she would like to continue.

With no other business, S. Heaney made a motion, second by D. Gordon, to adjourn at 8:03 p.m,

Respectfully submitted,

Jan Laferriere, secretary