PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
December 17, 2008
APPROVED:
___________________
AGENDA: WORKSHOP: CONTINUED UPDATES ON PROPOSED ZONING
CHANGES
PlanNH CHARRETTE
ATTENDING: Dan Paradis (Chairman), Joe Denning (Sel. Rep. to fill in for D. Milbrand), Janice DellaCroce, Denice DeStefano
Alternates: Murray Campbell, Steve Favorite
ABSENT: Elizabeth Seeler (Vice-Chair, work), Don Milbrand (Sel. Rep. – conflict), Clay Dingman, Jerry McGwin (away)
Alternates: Tom Babcock (conflict), Don Martin (recuperating)
OTHER: -----
The meeting opened at 7:00 pm. Mr. Campbell sat in for Mr. Dingman and Mr. Favorite for Mr. McGwin.
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 10, 2008:
The following amendments and clarifications were made:
Page 1, under Minor Site Plan, 2nd paragraph, last line, following “based on” replace the rest of the sentence with “Section 8.3.B of the Site Plan Regulations.” Page 5, under 1. Fence, 1st line, replace “designate” to “legislate”.
D. DeStefano made a motion, second by M. Campbell, to approve the minutes as amended. The motion carried.
WORKSHOP: PROPOSED ZONING CHANGES
1. Section 13.6.b.3.c HDC signs: This one is already set for public hearing.
2. Section 13.2 HDC overlay: Mr. Paradis explained that this is to eliminate the “buffer” designation which tends to confuse people.
D. DeStefano made a MOTION, second by J. DellaCroce, to ACCEPT PROPOSAL #2
AND SEND IT TO PUBLIC HEARING JANUARY 14TH. The motion CARRIED.
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PROPOSED ZONING CHANGES continued:
3. Section 4.11 Signs: This proposal is to improve clarity and specificity. Mr. Favorite asked about illuminating signs being restricted to certain times as businesses use them for advertising. Mr. Paradis felt that it was to address the new dark skies proposal. Ms. DellaCroce asked about about a business that is open 24 hours a day. Ms. DeStefano stated that the present one would be exempted. Mr. Favorite stated that, in Osterville, Ma. they do down lighting or overhangs. Mr. Paradise brought up off-premises signs and said that this is now designated to the Selectmen. Mr. Favorite asked if this includes development signs. Mr. Paradis felt that they would fall under temporary signs. Mr. Denning asked why this is not for the discretion of the Town Manager and Mr. Favorite added or the Land Use Officer. The Board felt that this suggestion would be better. Mr. Paradis added that the Selectmen can set the
criteria. He then read O.4 under temporary signs to address normal realty signs. Mr. Campbell asked about the Crail sign on Lake St. Mr. Paradis stated
that the sign is now grandfathered but would have needed a permit if they were starting new with this regulation. Ms. DellaCroce asked about
when they include other businesses. She is okay with his own business as he pays the tax on the property.
A discussion followed as to when lights should be off. It was felt that someone would be
needed to regulate this. Mr. Denning asked why this has been addressed at all and Mr. Paradis explained that it started with the car wash and now
the movement for dark skies. Mr. Denning thought that the answer might be to direct the light rather than regulate time. Mr. Favorite noted that
we did this with Budget Blinds. Mr. Denning felt that they can be shielded and. Mr. Favorite said or wattage size of the light bulb could be addressed. Mr.
Paradis felt that the Planning Board could do it under Site Plan. Ms. DeStefano reminded the Board that the word on the street is that Bristol is not
favorable to business and this would be one more restriction added. It was determined to scratch the lighting time sentence.
D. DeStefano made a MOTION, second by S. Favorite, to ACCEPT PROPOSAL #3 AS AMENDED AND BRING IT TO PUBLIC HEARING ON
JANUARY 14TH. The motion CARRIED.
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PROPOSED ZONING CHANGES continued:
4. Section 4.16 Fences: Mr. Paradis explained that the Board agreed on the concept but he is
confused as to whether the setback is from the property line or the road setback. Mr. Favorite
felt that a drawing would clarify this. Ms. DeStefano added that a picture is worth a thousand
words. Mr. Paradis felt that it might be better to give a hand-out to an applicant when they came in. He would be happy to draw something up for the hand-out and for the web site. A
discussion followed as to having drawings in the Ordinance or not. Mr. Campbell asked how someone would get a hand-out if fences under 6’ do not require a permit. It was felt that this
is a good point. Ms. DeStefano said that, maybe this could be done when someone starts
putting up a fence. Ms. DellaCroce felt that the Ordinance proposal is clear enough and anyone
who does not understand can always ask. Mr. Paradis will ask the town attorney about the wording.
J. DellaCroce made a MOTION, second by S. Favorite, to ACCEPT PROPOSAL #4 AS
AMENDED AND BRING IT TO PUBLIC HEARING ON JANUARY 14TH. The motion
CARRIED.
5. ARTICLE XIV, Small Wind Energy Systems: Mr. Paradis explained the changes made. 14.F, Small wind energy system was based on the OEP model ordinance. He asked if anyone had an opinion on this and no-one spoke up. On 14.3.A, Building Permit, Mr. Paradis stated that it is for all districts right now and asked what the Board thought. The general consensus was to place it in the Rural district.
Mr. Campbell stated that Wind Energy Systems are very expensive. Mr. Paradis agreed unless
there is a subsidy available. Ms. DeStefano added that other incentives might also come into play.
Mr. Paradis stated that he changed all references to Building Inspector to Land Use Officer.
He continued with B.4, Tower foundation blueprints as he added drawn to scale. He also did this in B.5, Tower blueprints and in B.14, List of abutters, he added including addresses. In
14.4.A.1), Setbacks, Mr. Paradis addressed this as Multipliers and added the applicant’s property. 14.4A.2), Tower, Height is 150’ in the model ordinance. He stated that it has to be
35’ above the tree line in order to work. He then read a section of RSA 674. It was thought to state it as not to exceed 150’ or 35’ above the surrounding tree canopy, whichever is less.
In 14.3), Sound Level, Mr. Paradis stated that 60 decibels is in the model ordinance. Ms. DellaCroce asked how it would be regulated. Mr. Paradis and Ms. DeStefano mentioned that
the manufacturer rates them. Everyone thought this would be fine.
At the top of the next page, Mr. Paradis stated that he added “and tower” with wind generator. It was determined to remove the end of the sentence.
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PROPOSED ZONING CHANGES, #5 continued:
Mr. Favorite explained that anyone interested in doing this is required to do a 2-year study of
wind power. If they have more than 10 dead days, they will not qualify.
D. DeStefano made a MOTION, second by S. Favorite, to ACCEPT PROPOSAL #5 AS AMENDED AND BRING IT TO PUBLIC HEARING ON JANUARY 14TH. The motion
CARRIED.
6. Section 4.10.A, Fire Safety Codes: Mr. Paradis explained that this is to correct the outdated
requirement in the ordinance. This is an obsolete provision which modern codes do not require.
D. DeStefano made a MOTION, second by J. DellaCroce, to ACCEPT PROPOSAL #6 AND
BRING IT TO PUBLIC HEARING ON JANUARY 14TH. The motion CARRIED.
PlanNH CHARRETTE:
Copies of the PlanNH Charrette booklets were given to all the members. Mr. Paradis stated that they do recommend getting street furniture. The disc is to come to us within 2 or 3 days and can be put on the web site.
A suggestion was made to hold a discussion of implementation, perhaps with the Selectmen, Town Manager, and Planning Board. Mr. Campbell felt that we need accurate measurements. Ms. DeStefano felt that we need to read it and determine how to do. We need to hold public meetings to get everyone on board. Mr. Campbell asked who would champion it.
Mr. Denning stated that he has been thinking a lot, personally, about the mica building. He said that, with the loss of the northernmost business years ago, we need to change the traffic to not just bypass the square (similar to the square in Milford). He thought that we could put a truck lane to bypass only and draw the rest of the traffic through the square. He has been concentrating on the southern end and learned about some private funds for blighted areas through Lion’s International and the Rotary. If these could be available, he thought that the first floor of the mica building might house the Bristol Community Services and the Senior Center folks. Ideally, he thought the TTCC as well but did not see that as a reality. As of last week, Mr. Suldenski was asking $150,000 for the property. Mr. Denning thought we might take down the next two buildings (further to the east) for parking. The grants may be available by June. He has spoken with Kerry Mattson about the grant through the Rotary.
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PlanNH continued:
Mr. Paradis stated that it is estimated that it would take 1.7 million to rehabilitate that building. Mr. Denning stated that Paul Leather is to write the grant and that we should have a plan B and C. It is at least 3 years away and one person is interested. Mr. Paradis mentioned that discussions with DOT earlier resulted in DOT saying that there is not enough room. He admitted that the cobblestone area for trucks is working in areas with round-abouts. Mr. Denning stated that we need to own the square again. He added that pipes will have to be fixed. He emphasized that these ideas are his alone and not of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Paradis mentioned that Newport has a zig-zag in their downtown.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The Oct. 2008 Inovative Land Use Planning Techniques handbook will be kept in the office. The ad for the NBI seminar did not seem to be for this Board. Bernie Waugh has sent in a copy of his new laws. The secretary will get copies for everyone and Mr. Paradis will speak to the Town Manager about holding the free seminar with Atty. Waugh as we usually do. An announcement was made of the WGBH program to be on PBS January 4th at 6:30. It will be on Water/Sewer systems and Jeff Chartier is encouraging all to watch. Mr. Denning mentioned that a trip to see the addition of Bristol’s Water/Sewer plant is well worth it. He said that Jeff Chartier looks ahead 20 years and the planning has been excellent.
REPORTS:
HDC: Approved the sign for Patrick Legare last night.
SELECTMEN: Mr. Denning did not know that this is expected and was not prepared.
CIP: To meet January 20th.
NEW BUSINESS:
Change meeting time: Ms. Bonsteel had asked if the Board would consider starting at 6:00 pm like the ZBA. The Board discussed this and determined that their meetings are usually long and members need to eat. Also, at least one member barely makes the 7:00 pm time coming up from Concord. The Board agreed to let Ms. Bonsteel know that they considered it but would find it difficult to do.
Mistake: The secretary explained that she made a mistake on the Planning Board News Notice Dates given out tonight. The time should have been two weeks before the meeting instead of one week and she will re-do this for next time.
Telecast Progress: Ms. DellaCroce asked if anything new has been done to get the telecast going. Mr. Denning stated that they had hired Jamie Capach and he is leaving. He will give us 3 or 4 weeks though. In his place, we have now hired Ray Courchaine. The system is about ready to go. Mr. Denning expects that it will be up and running within a few days.
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NEW BUSINESS continued:
Townspeople vs PlanNH: Mr. Campbell asked Mr. Denning how he feels about people in Bristol accepting PlanNH. He added that the CIP (Capital Improvements Plan) put in some monies for this but he feels that the majority of people do not know about it. We can’t wait until the last minute to get the people behind the plan. Mr. Denning stated that most of the people are not of the mindset to look very far ahead. Mr. Campbell asked if we might do better with news articles, etc. Mr. Denning stated that Social Institutions have dropped in membership and there are few areas in town for people to gather anymore. Mr. Campbell felt that we need to start getting the word out in January. Ms. DeStefano felt that taping the Town Manager, Selectmen, and Boards brainstorming on T-V would help. A discussion of the newspaper was held and Mr. Denning stated that we need to invite Marsha down.
Web site: Ms. DellaCroce felt that we have no-one maintaining the web site now. Mr. Denning stated that we expect to have that person in place. We have a couple of opportunities to get this done.
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be held January 14th at 7:00 pm. We shall have the public hearing on the proposed zoning changes, a PCC with Don Milbrand, and Compliance Hearings for Swiss View and for Joseph Santamaria. The application filing date is 12/22/08.
With no other business before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Laferriere, secretary