PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
February 25, 2009
APPROVED:
___________________
AGENDA: WORKSHOP: CIP candidates, checklist for Boundary Line Adjustments, Downtown change suggestions, discuss Master Plan
ATTENDING: Dan Paradis (Chairman), Don Milbrand (Sel. Rep.), Janice DellaCroce, Denice DeStefano, Jerry McGwin
Alternates: Murray Campbell, Steve Favorite
ABSENT: Elizabeth Seeler (Vice-Chr. – hospital), Clay Dingman (vacation)
Alternates: Tom Babcock (vacation), Don Martin
OTHER: Mason Westfall (Conservation Commission)
The meeting opened at 7:00 pm. Murray Campbell sat in for Clay Dingman and Steve Favorite for Elizabeth Seeler.
DISCUSS MASTER PLAN:
Mr. Paradis explained that the Board must discuss how to revise the Master Plan and when. He continued to say that we started the present Master Plan in 2000 and with the help of Lakes Region Planning Commission (with a $10,000 budget) and citizen input, we completed it in 2003. Since then, we have added a Recreation Section and a Conservation Section. Jay Meegan (who was on the Board at the time) made a suggestion that we do a section a year and it was put into our bylaws. Due to time constraints, we have not been able to do this. The Downtown Section should be revised since we have done the PlanNH Charrette and the Historic Section was never added to as we only had time to update it. We should think about these especially. The CIP (Capital Improvements Plan) committee has penciled money in for this for next year.
Ms. DellaCroce asked if the Downtown includes the buildings and Mr. Paradis answered that it does.
Mr. Favorite stated that all are in the Historic Section except for the Tozier building where Curves is.
Mr. Paradis stated that, since we are having no luck getting CIP volunteers, he is not very encouraged that we shall get citizen input this time. Mr. Favorite asked if updating from 2003 will need very much. Mr. Paradis said it probably would not and he continued to say that the committee he was on at the last full update approached their section by reading what we already had, keeping what was okay, and revising what needed to be changed. Mr. Campbell said that, in light of the present economy, can we update just a couple of sections? Mr. Paradis felt that we could. He added that LRPC (Lakes Region Planning Commission) would probably help with some. It is not unreasonable to do one section a year. Mr. Westfall said that LRPC will assist us as we are a member. The cost would be minimized if anything if we are just doing a section.
-2-
Planning Board Minutes
2/25/09
MASTER PLAN continued:
Mr. Paradis explained that we changed the format of the Historic section, Don Martin took new pictures, and LRPC did the printing. Mr. McGwin thought that we should probably tackle the Downtown since we did the Charrette. Mr. Paradis felt that the Historic kind of overlaps the Downtown. Mr. Campbell asked if this will be done outside or in workshops. Mr. Paradis answered that it will be done in both. Ms. DeStefano felt that we should start with the Historic and then do the Downtown. Mr. Paradis was leaning that way, also. We should consider it an on-going project for our workshops. The first meeting should be how we are to approach it. Mr. Westfall suggested that the Historic District Commission (HDC) could help work on it and maybe the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Paradis explained that Clay Dingman is a member of both the Planning Board and is Chairman of the HDC. Ms. DeStefano said that she is now the Chamber president. She volunteered to e-mail the present Historic Section to everyone.
CIP CANDIDATES:
Mr. Campbell has received no names at this time. Mr. McGwin said that he almost has one person convinced. Mr. Paradis felt that we should all continue to keep working on this. The idea of having a CIP is to project ahead.
CHECKLIST FOR BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENS:
Mr. Paradis stated that maybe Michelle Bonsteel, Land Use Officer, would be willing to do this. Ms. DellaCroce suggested that Ms. Bonsteel could attach it to the plan, for the usual items, and leave the not so obvious things to the Planning Board. Mr. Paradis is willing to draft something. Mr. Campbell stated that this is typically done by Land Use Officers in most towns. Mr. Paradis will talk to Ms. Bonsteel about this on Friday. Mr. Westfall questioned the need where professionals do up the plan and the Board told him that, sometimes even they forget something.
DOWNTOWN CHANGES:
Mr. Paradis explained that there are several plans that have been brought up and the Planning Board has not had a chance to discuss them. He mentioned that Marcia Morris is doing something and did send Mr. Paradis a copy for his comments. He was glad that she did as it indicated that the Planning Board had approved the “T” plan and nothing else. Mr. Paradis changed the wording to show that the Board has made no decisions at this time. He then asked Mr. Favorite, who is also working with Ms. Morris, to explain what they are doing.
-3-
Planning Board Minutes
2/25/09
DOWNTOWN CHANGES continued:
Mr. Favorite stated that they have submitted an application to LRPC so as to get onto their docket. It is to go to their TAC team to be evaluated. The Selectmen received a letter last November with a deadline of Dec. 31st. They asked for two extensions and have finally submitted the plan today. Mr. Favorite then showed the Board that they have included several plans, photos, the Master Plan for Ragged Mountain’s expansion (which will affect our traffic pattern), they highlighted the Charrette and added a traffic study, accident count, and the Charrette suggestions of a “T” or “Roundabout”. It will be evaluated by May 15th and then it is sent to DOT. We have $10,000 in the budget to show good intention.
Mr. Westfall stated that Bristol was on the 10-year plan at one time, so this is not anything new. Mr. Favorite felt that the Charrette has given us teeth and the committee working on this consisted of Police Chief Clark, Jay Meegan, Marcia Morris, and himself. Mr. Paradis mentioned that Ms. Morris did allude to our Master Plan. Mr. Favorite added that it will be up to DOT as to how to do the construction. Mr. Paradis stated that we have several plans now and all have good points as well as bad. Mr. Paradis suggested that the Planning Board might list priorities to see what the people prefer (he had a draft of a questionnaire to use). Mr. Westfall stated that a few years ago, Ralph Shackett wanted lampposts put in and we stopped it as we cannot develop the downtown until DOT says they want to do this project. Mr. Favorite felt that Safe Routes to School will help and parking and the curb by the parsonage need to be considered. Mr. Campbell felt that, if the road is straightened, the speed will pick up. Mr. Favorite felt that the Charrette shows that we are serious about this. Mr. Westfall said that, with the road straightened, vision will be improved and there will probably be a traffic light.
Ms. DeStefano suggested that the questionnaire be given out and collected at town meeting. Mr. Paradis felt that this is a possibility. He thought that it could be placed on the web, as we have no money available for this). He asked if we should limit it to just the traffic issue or include having more green, address the lights, moving the mortar, etc. Mr. McGwin felt that we should not limit it. Mr. Paradis mentioned that making North Main St. a one-way would also be a concern for some.
Mr. Campbell then distributed copies about roundabouts. He explained that there is an article from the Union Leader and one from Times magazine. Next is a map, not to scale, in which he shows a possible roundabout, and the last page lists the advantages of a roundabout. Mr. Campbell explained that a roundabout can be oval or elongated. He feels that trees, etc. need to be taken out due to line of sight and for being a problem for snowplowing. He felt that potted trees and shrubs would do better as they could be moved. We need to start with the sidewalks, he added. Mr. Paradis questioned if sidewalks are the #1 priority or traffic flow. Ms. DellaCroce felt that, if safety issues are addressed, parking is no longer a problem.
-4-
Planning Board Minutes
2/25/09
DOWNTOWN CHANGES continued:
Mr. Paradis pointed out the traffic plan in our Master Plan and explained the advantage of being able to retain parking and, for those coming from the Lake area, they would be able to turn around and head back home without having to go out to Merrimack St.
Mr. Favorite said that there is a $50,000 Federal grant out there that would allow us to move the monument over. Mr. Campbell asked if we wouldn’t have to be specific on that application and Mr. Favorite felt that it would need to be pretty much. He then mentioned that we need to replace water and sewer lines in the downtown area. Ms. DellaCroce asked if we wouldn’t want to do that first. We need a list of priorities. Mr. Westfall said that he would like to see the downtown look as it did years ago but he knows that is not feasible. He suspects that we shall not have any businesses downtown except for offices for doctors, etc. with townhouses upstairs. He added that the new bridge on Central St. will bring in more traffic to the area. He felt that a roundabout could be changed easier than a “T” in case it is found not to be practical.
Mr. Campbell asked when the Ragged Mountain project is expected to be done. Mr. Favorite answered in the next 2 to 5 years. Mr. Paradis was concerned that, if the State looks at the north end of the square, will they look at the rest. A discussion followed as to the need of an engineer. Mr. Paradis stated that Plymouth now hates their roundabout. Mr. Westfall felt that a consideration should be that Route 104 is now an east/west highway. Mr. Paradis said that we need to survey priorities. Mr. Westfall said that the Charrette was done by professionals and they came in with two plans. Ms. DellaCroce suggested that maybe the Board could incorporate some of the old town square look with esthetics. Discussion continued.
Ms. DellaCroce felt that we need to set priorities and was willing to go ahead with the survey. Ms. DeStefano will e-mail the proposals to be addressed.
MINUTES OF FEBRUARY11, 2009:
The following amendments and clarifications were made:
Page 3, 1st paragraph, 1st line, replace “8.3E” with “8.3A”. Second line, replace “c” with “8.3A,c”. Last line, following “read” insert “Section E.4” and delete “#4”. Fourth paragraph, 2nd line, delete “a relative of theirs” and replace with “an anonymous source”. Last paragraph, 6th line, replace “8.3A.4” with “8.3E,4”.
Page 4, 2nd paragraph, following “Ms. Bonsteel” insert “to review the spirit of the ordinance when it was written”. 3rd paragraph, 3rd line, replace “tricky” with “relevant”.
Page 5, 5th paragraph, 8th line, change “us” to “use”.
J. McGwin made a motion, second by M. Campbell, to accept the minutes as amended. The motion carried.
-5-
Planning Board Minutes
2/25/09
COMMUNICATIONS:
A notice of the Lincoln Lecture Series was looked at. Mr. Paradis explained that we have no budget for the Planning and Zoning Conference this year but if anyone wants to go, they should see Mr. Weston, Town Manager, or pay for it themselves. Sign-up is on the web. There was a letter of notice from the Rumney Planning Bd. for a cell tower hearing Feb. 24th. Mr. Paradis read the letter from Ms. Bonsteel to J. P. Morrison in regard to rebuilding the Catholic meeting hall (larger and with a basement). The February Town & City magazine will be held in the office for anyone who wishes to read it.
REPORTS:
Historic District: No report.
Selectmen: The warrant is now official. Besides the zoning ordinance changes and there are 4 roads to be downgraded. The mica building continues to be an issue; the owner was notified and we are working on it. He is in Costa Rica and his builder is on vacation in Florida, so he won’t be able to meet deadlines. Mr. Milbrand has presented a sign proposal for the downtown to the HDC and it is to continue to their April meeting.
CIP: Mr. Campbell reported that we need people!
Other: Mr. Paradis reported that he and Ms. Bonsteel made a 15 minute tape for TV explaining the various amendments to the zoning ordinance. Mr. Westfall has already seen it and felt it was done very well.
NEXT MEETING:
Our next meeting will be held March 11th at 7:00 p.m. We have a Boundary Line Adjustment for Sylvia Carrigan/Hilda Bruno and Colin & Virginia Brown.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION:
Mr. Westfall reported that they are putting together a natural resource inventory which will be all inclusive. Ms. Bonsteel has given him some literature on this. He mentioned that we all have a lack of storage, especially for maps. Mr. Paradis thanked Mr. Westfall for coming in and speaking with the Board. His input is helpful.
-6-
Planning Board Minutes
2/25/09
OTHER:
Mr. Favorite stated that there are several bills being worked on at the State level. HB139FN has to do with changes to the Shoreland Protection Act. HB156 authorizes the Planning Board to have another “set of eyes” to review projects, such as a Clerk of the Works. HB585FN is for outdoor lighting to stop polluting (dark skies) and to change lights to the new types. They have talked about putting in timers so that the lights go off after 1:00am. HB159FN is to have Broadband throughout the State. HB107FN addresses State owned real estate (such as railroad tracks) on public waters where lessees are charging fees.
Mr. Paradis stated that the Shoreland Protection meeting was crowded and they have determined to wait a bit to implement this. Mr. Favorite added that Martha Fuller Clark is the Chair of this Committee. He said that it is sad but the State does not know of what land they own on the lakes.
With no other business, D. DeStefano made a motion, second by J. DellaCroce, to adjourn at 8:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Laferriere, secretary