Meeting Minutes
Planning Board
March 21, 2023
FINAL
Board Members Present: Darren Finneral, Chair; Chris Hernick, Vice Chair; Jim Lord, Chris Millette, Wayne Seaholm, Members; Kristin Schultz, Alternate; Scott Wheeler, Ex Officio; Peter Stanley, Consultant.
Town Personnel: Tiffany Favreau, Land Use Coordinator
Public: Bob Stewart, Richard Wright, William Gregory McLane, Joshua Perkins, Allison Kinsman, and others
Mr. Finneral called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE:
Minutes:
The Board reviewed the minutes of February 22, 2023.
Mr. Millette made a motion to accept the minutes. Mr. Lord seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Mr. Hernick said that Ms. Holmes stopped him after town meeting asking why nothing was done regarding tiny homes this year. Mr. Finneral said we would need to get the request early in the year if there is a hope to include tiny homes on the ballot for next year.
Case 2023-001- Conditional Use Permit - Re-hearing - Robert Stewart of RCS Designs (agent), Richard J. Marzelli (owner) for land disturbance in the wetland buffer concerning placement of a proposed driveway, proposed well and a portion of a proposed single-family dwelling located at Mountain Road, Tax Map 024-685-443.
Mr. Finneral checked the application for completeness. In addition to what was submitted in January is a letter from the Newbury Conservation Commission.
Finding the application complete, Mr. Finneral made a motion to accept the application as complete. Mr. Lord seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Mr. Stewart said the purpose remains the same and nothing has been added to the application since this is a rehearing. He said the original application had a larger building than what was proposed. The building is now smaller and has a smaller impact.
Mr. Stewart went through 8.7.5.1,8.7.5.2, and 8.7.5.3 and explained how the new proposed structure addresses each of these.
Mr. Finneral asked the Board Members if they had questions or comments for Mr. Stewart. There being none, Mr. Finneral summarized what Mr. Stewart said. He said there is a smaller building with less impact and a storm water management plan.
Mr. Hernick said that the temporary erosion control isn’t shown on the plan, so we should make sure that is included as a condition.
Mr. Finneral opened the hearing up to the public.
Mr. Peter Halprin asked about the shed being moved. He would like it to be recorded that the shed will be put in the proper setback before construction begins.
He also would like to discuss West Branch North. He said the 150’ setback should be in both directions of this stream. He explained that it is a perineal stream. Mr. Stewart said the entire site is within 250’ from the stream.
There being no more public input, Mr. Finneral closed the public input and closed the public hearing.
Mr. Wheeler recused himself from the vote.
8.7.5.1 – All Board Members agreed this was proven. - Passed
8.7.5.2 – All Board Members agreed this was proven. – Passed
8.7.5.3 – All Board Members agreed this was proven. – Passed
Conditions discussed:
Mr. Lord would like the existing shed to move prior to the installation of the septic system.
Mr. Hernick would like the project to utilize appropriate temporary erosion controls during construction.
Mr. Lord made a motion to approve the application with the above conditions. Mr. Seaholm seconded the motion. All were in favor.
Case 2023-002 – Conceptual Amended Subdivision – Leslie McLane Living Trust & William McLane II Living Trust (owners), for property located at 68 High Point Road, Newbury, NH, Tax Map 030-275-316, proposing different location of building envelope from approved subdivision plan.
Mr. Finneral explained what a conceptual hearing is.
William Gregory McLane said this is in the skyline district and has views to the south by Lake Todd and is primarily ledge. They want to move the house (on the original plan) from the ledge to the north of the property a bit. It will give better views and will also be in less view of the neighbors. A barn has been approved and a foundation is in already. They would like to move the house up about 20’.
Mr. McLane went through the maps and where the proposed house site would be moved in comparison to the original house placement.
Ms. Favreau asked to bring the Board’s attention to 18.7.4.
Mr. Finneral said the Board might need to do a site plan review and he might also need to go to the Zoning Board for a variance.
Mr. Hernick discussed building envelopes and what it means in this subdivision.
Mr. McLane summarized that he would need a variance under the skyline district. Mr. Millette explained the skyline districtordinance is to protect people further away than his actual neighbors.
Mr. McLane thanked the Board for their time.
Case 2023- Conceptual Site Plan Review – Joshua Perkins (agent), Town of Newbury (owner), for property located at 20 Sutton Road, Newbury, NH, Tax Map 043-348-244.
Mr. Perkins said they are going to buy the proposed property and annex to their current property for more equipment. He considers it a contractor’s yard. He also wants to do a facelift to the building.
Mr. Finneral said he would need a major site plan review and it would be considered a change of use as well.
Mr. Hernick said they would need a special exception for the use of a contractor’s yard or under other use. Mr. Wheeler said he thinks this would be considered others use because Mr. Perkins is not selling anything on the property.
Mr. Perkins will be going to the ZBA first for a special exception.
Other:
- Discussion of Planning Board Fee Schedule – Ms. Favreau distributed a list of surrounding areas of Planning Board fee schedules.
- Discussion of amendments to Planning Board Rules of Procedure – Ms. Favreau distributed rules of procedure for the Town of Newbury Planning Board with some proposed changes.
Board members will take a look at these documents and discuss them at the next meeting. Mr. Millette asked if there is something that takes more time than others for her work for the Planning Board, and Ms. Favreau answered that mergers are time consuming. She thinks they should also charge for public notice. Mr. Finneral asked if they could just increase their application fee rather than add a publication fee and Ms. Favreau said yes. Mr. Stanley agreed this would be a good idea. There was a discussion regarding publication of notices. Mr. Wheeler asked if we could publicize it on the website and Mr. Stanley said yes as long as it in a prominent location that the information can’t be missed.
Mr. Lord made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Seaholm seconded the motion. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna S. Long
Recording Secretary