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PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

June 25, 2008

APPROVED:

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AGENDA: PRESENTATION OF THE SMARTGROWTH AUDIT: Dave Jeffers and

Adam Hlasny of LRPC and Carol Foss of Audubon Society of NH

PCC: FRANK YERKES/PETER and GAIL WALCOTT, 3939 River Rd.

#209-048

ATTENDING: Dan Paradis (Chairman), Elizabeth Seeler (Vice Chairman), Don Milbrand (Sel. Rep.), Janice DellaCroce, Denice DeStefano, Clay Dingman

Alternates: Murray Campbell, Steve Favorite, Don Martin

ABSENT: Jerry McGwin (excused). Alternate: Tom Babcock (excused)

OTHER: Paul Weston (new Town Manager)

The meeting opened at 7:00 pm. Mr. Favorite was asked to sit in for Mr. McGwin. Mr. Paradis then introduced the new Town Manager and had the Board introduce themselves.

PRESENTATION OF THE SMARTGROWTH AUDIT:

Mr. Jeffers distributed notebooks containing the Smartgrowth Audit results to the Board and Town Manager. He then explained that they have eight principles that they offer to the towns and Bristol chose to look at all eight. These principles encourage a walkable community and mixed use development. Mr. Jeffers stated that they looked at Bristol’s Master Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Site Plan/Subdivision Regulations to see if there are any that contradict each other and to encourage the Master Plan vision. Additionally, they have included the Ms. Foss and the Audubon Society of NH so as to include natural resources. Ms. Foss explained these sections a little. Mr. Jeffers added that they did not find much that is contradicting but was more that it was missing. Mr. Jeffers mentioned the example of a need to address steep slopes. Ms. Foss’ portion is in Sections 4 and 5, he explained.

Addressing the book further, Mr. Jeffers stated that the first 52 pages are concerning Bristol’s documents, next is the Fish and Game versus our documents, and then the checklist. A major recommendation is for us to make our checklists more comparable. Mr. Jeffers added that they have included a set of voluntary practices and realize that some of them are hard to regulate. At the very end of the book is a list of useful resources.

Mr. Jeffers then stated that they would love to reconnect with the Board, perhaps in the fall, for feedback. Ms. Seeler thought that the Board should choose a date. Mr. Paradis mentioned that we start considering Zoning Ordinance changes in October. It was felt that perhaps it would be better after the Board has determined what changes they would like to implement. Mr. Jeffers added that if the Board has any questions, they should contact him.

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Planning Board Minutes

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SMARTGROWTH AUDIT continued:

The secretary asked for 4 more books (1 for Mr. Martin who had arrived late, 1 for Mr. McGwin, 1 for Mr. Babcock, and 1 for Michelle Bonsteel, Land Use Officer). Ms. Foss thought that the Library should have one as well. Mr. Martin took his book and one for Mr. McGwin. The others shall have to be printed up and they will get them to us. Mr. Jeffers encouraged the Board to go to their web site, if possible.

PCC: FRANK YERKES/PETER AND GAIL WESCOTT

Mr. Yerkes stated that they realize that anything said at this PCC is non-binding. They are proposing a 6 lot subdivision of a 22 acre parcel. There is one existing cottage with septic and a well. The lot is in the Rural district and the Pemi-overlay. All lots will have a minimum of 200’ frontage and they will be 2.8 to 5.13 acres. Test pits and driveway cuts are to be done.

Mr. Paradis explained that they are also under the Comprehensive Shoreline Protection Act now. Mr. Yerkes stated that they intend on applying to DES.

Mr. Paradis asked what type of road Barron Road is and was told that it is gravel and that the town plows it. Mr. Paradis explained that a subdivision road now must meet town standards unless the Planning Board waives it. He directed Mr. Yerkes to look at Section 5.10 of the Subdivision Regulations and that the Planning Board will work with the Town Highway Supervisor, Mark Bucklin, in this regard. Mr. Yerkes will talk with Mr. Bucklin.

Mr. Yerkes continued by saying that he has flagged the wetlands on the property. Mr. Paradis stated that septic systems must be 125’ from any wetland. Mr. Yerkes stated that he has looked at that.

Mr. Paradis asked about impervious surfaces and he read in the Zoning Ordinance, 4.F, that we require 10% as a maximum and we keep to a 2 acre minimum lot size.

Mr. Martin stated, in keeping with Smartgrowth, if they have thought about vegetative buffers along River Road. Also, about sharing driveways. Mr. Wescott mentioned that there are electric lines going through one area and Mrs. Wescott added that there are trees along the river and a tree buffer along the road now.

Mr. Martin asked if they have discussed their project with their abutters. Mrs. Wescott said that they have not but there are old friends on one side and a buffer along the other.

Mr. Paradis asked if they will have individual wells and was told that they will. Mr. Paradis reminded them of the radius required from any septic. Mr. Yerkes stated that he has sketched in the 75’ well radius as required.

Mr. Milbrand asked if we will need to notify New Hampton where they are across the river and was told that they will. Mr. Paradis advised them to read the Pemi-Overlay requirements, the Subdivision Regulations and the Zoning Ordinance.

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Planning Board Minutes

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MINUTES OF JUNE 11, 2008:

The following amendments were made:

Page 1, 1^st paragraph, 4^th line, replace “Asplunt” with “Asplundt”. Page 2, 4^th paragraph, 2^nd line, replace “road must now” with “Zoning Ordinance requires the road to”. Page 3, Historic District Commission, last sentence, spell out BRAC (Bristol Recreation Advisory Council” and, following “fund-raise” change the rest of the sentence to read “to replace existing wall or to go through a hearing for a new wall. Under Selectmen, last paragraph, 1^st line, replace “a minor” with “an amendment to the”.

E. Seeler made a motion, second by C. Dingman, to approve the minutes of June 11, 2008 as amended. The motion carried.

COMMUNICATIONS:

The DOT Drive permit for Patricia Avery was looked at and the “Knowing the Territory” book that the Board had ordered is in and will be kept in the office for anyone to look at.

REPORTS:

Historic District Commission: Nothing to report.

Selectmen: Mr. Milbrand stated that the Central Street bridge is up in the air while the State determines what to do about the higher strength steel being taken up by the military. It was felt that the cost will possibly go up. Mr. Favorite asked about the FEDs for PSNH and the raising of the bridge. Mr. Milbrand answered that this has to do with the danger of an earthquake for Ayres Island. They are trying to determine if they should change the design. Mr. Paradis said that they calculated 2 ½ times the 100 year flood but have dropped it down from there. Ms. DellaCroce stated that there was a lot of talk about the height in the beginning of the project; this was all looked at. Mr. Milbrand said that this was the reason for going with the higher strength steel (due to the height). Now they need to be earthquake-proof and will need easements on the New Hampton side. Mr. Favorite thought that PSNH would be picking up the cost as it would be less costly to help with the bridge than to repair the dam.

As an FYI, Mr. Paradis reminded Mr. Milbrand that the Taste of Italy had a 5-month trial period for putting the tables outside by the sidewalk. The time is up and the tables are still outside. There apparently have been no complaints but the Selectmen might want to finalize this.

Mr. Favorite stated that the Presidential Grille is putting in a sprinkler system. It was noted that a new restaurant is to come in.

Mr. Dingman asked about the Mica building. Mr. Milbrand stated that the owner is up to the allowed date on his taxes now (2 years). Mr. Weston stated that he is looking into this case. Mr. Favorite mentioned that the owner has no fire insurance and questioned the liability for the town.

Mr. Milbrand mentioned the Mooseman Triathalon. He said that 99% of the follow-up survey replied that all was excellent except for the condition of West Shore Road (a State road). Ms. DeStefano added that it could mean that the Triathalon might be pulled out. This was a concern to several members of the Board.

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Planning Board Minutes

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Capital Improvement Plan Committee:

Mr. Campbell explained that they have not met as they have received nothing new from anyone. He put in a plea to Mr. Weston, explaining that forms went to the Department Heads and were to come in to the committee in June. We have received none. It was thought that the change in Town Managers might be part of the cause. Mr. Campbell and Mr. Paradis then explained how the CIP committee was started.

WORKSHOP:

Mr. Paradis explained that we need to determine when the notes and tapes of minutes can be destroyed/erased. He mentioned that the State allows this once the minutes have been approved. A discussion followed and Mr. Weston stated that the paper minutes become the official record.

E. Seeler made a MOTION, second by D. DeStefano, to PLACE A NOTICE OF A PROPER CHANGE TO ARTICLE 8 OF THE BYLAWS, #3, THAT ANY PRELIMINARY NOTES OR AUDIO RECORDINGS WILL BE DESTROYED AFTER THE MINUTES ARE APPROVED. The motion CARRIED.

PlanNH CHARRETTE:

Mr. Weston advised that the Board get word out about the Charrette and asked when it would be done. Mr. Paradis said that we shall know better after they come to our next meeting (July 9). Mr. Favorite stated that the Smartgrowth Audit shows that our Downtown is the most important. Mr. Paradis explained to Mr. Weston that we need $2500 for the Charrette and that an article was put in for $10,000 and the town voted it down. The $2500 will now have to come out of some part of the budget.

Mr. Martin asked when the Charrette will take place. Mr. Paradis and Ms. DeStefano answered that the tentative date is Sept. 26 and 27 (Friday and Saturday). Mr. Paradis added that they shall be coming in to finalize this at our next meeting.

NEXT MEETING:

The next meeting is on July 9^th. PlanNH will be in to discuss what is needed and the time, there is the continued Site Plan for the Elderly project, a PCC for Kerry Mattson for the Friends of Newfound Football, and the Jaquith Subdivision and Boundary Line Adjustments.

OTHER:

Upper Dam: Ms. DellaCroce asked about the upper dam. Mr. Milbrand explained that they have changed plans again and he hasn’t heard what they have decided on.

Elderly: Ms. DellaCroce asked if there is any new information on the Elderly project and, barring the two memos that the Board received copies of, there is nothing new.

With no other business, C. Dingman made a motion, second by E. Seeler, to adjourn at 8:27 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Jan Laferriere, recording secretary