Meeting Minutes

Planning Board

January 16, 2024

FINAL

Board Members Present:  Darren Finneral, Chair; Chris Hernick, Vice Chair; Chris Millette, Denise Mitchell, Wayne Seaholm, Members; Kristen Schultz, ex officio; Peter Stanley, Consultant.

Town Personnel: Tiffany Favreau, Land Use Coordinator

Mr. Finneral called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

The Board reviewed the minutes of December 19, 2023.

Mr. Millette made a motion to accept the minutes with proposed changes. Mr. Seaholm seconded the motion. All were in favor (with the exception of Ms. Schultz who abstained since she was not at that meeting).

Case 2023-002-Case – Final 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 for building envelope from approved subdivision plan.

Mr. Finneral gave an update on the case. He read a variance from the Zoning Board. Mr. Finneral asked if there was any additional information Mr. McLane would like to add. Mr. McClane gave a brief history of what has transpired since July of this year (2023).

Ms. Schultz asked what they are asking. Mr. Finneral said they are here for the original case asking to put the house in a different location.

Mr. Stanley said the McClanes have followed the direction of the Planning Board.

There was discussion regarding the wording of the variance. Ms. Favreau gave some clarification on what the Zoning Board’s intention was in the wording of the variance.

Mr. Finneral opened up to the public. There being no comment, Mr. Finneral closed the public input.

Mr. Finneral made a motion to accept the application to put the house in a different location than was originally approved in the subdivision plan. Mr. Seaholm seconded the motion. All were in favor.

The Board members signed the mylar.

Mr. Finneral read the public notice for the public hearing for the proposed amendments to the Newbury Zoning Ordinance & Building Regulations at 7:35 p.m.

Case 2023- 023 – Final Minor Site Plan Review – Daniel Thomas (agent), Cardinal NH 9 LLC (owner), for property located at 1386 Route 103, Newbury, NH Tax Map 007-338-200, proposing a tasting room and merchandise area for Hoptimystic Brewing in the Rosewood Barn building.

Mr. Finneral reviewed the application and found it complete.

Mr. Finneral made a motion that the application was complete. Mr. Millette seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Mr. Thomas gave an overview on their proposal. He and his wife Kelly currently brew beer in Springfield, N.H. and they would like to have a tasting room in the Rosewood Barn on the second and third floors. There would be a bar, seating area and merchandise. The primary purpose is a tasting room, open approximately 5 days/week. They are expecting four employees in the tasting room. They believe there will be a minimal impact on traffic. They don’t expect many delivery vehicles. He said they will put a no left hand turn sign at the end of the parking lot. Mr. Millette asked where the CO2 tank will go. There will be a CO2 tank and he will ask the CO2 company where it should go.

Ms. Schultz asked about the definition of a tasting room. Mr. Thomas said they have a beverage manufacturing license which allows them to have a tasting room at a different location.

Ms. Mitchell asked about picnic tables outside. Mr. Thomas said they considered putting some tables on the deck space.

Mr. Finneral opened the case for public input. The owner of the Shanty’s Pub asked if they have looked into the septic system at all. He said that the past owner of the resort up the hill from this building had mentioned that the septic feeds into the same septic as the hotel. Mr. Stanley suggested that Mr. Thomas look into this.

Another abutter, Dave Forsoria, said that it is a valid point to look into the septic design just to make sure it can take the extra users. Alicia Zanderigo asked when they hope to open, and Mr. Thomas said as soon as possible. There being no more public input, Mr. Finneral closed the public input.

Mr. Millette would like to add a condition that states that outside seating will be limited to the deck area.

Ms. Schultz made a motion to approve with the condition that all outside seating will be on the deck and not on the grounds. Mr. Seaholm seconded the motion. All were in favor.

The Board signed the plans.

Public Hearing – Proposed Amendments to the Newbury Zoning Ordinance & Building Regulations

Ms. Favreau distributed the building regulation amendments. Mr. Finneral said they suggested changing #8 and #10 to say 2018 rather than 2015.

Mr. Finneral made a motion to adopt making those changes to #8 and #10. Mr. Millette seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Mr. Finneral said those will be updated and he will let the Code Enforcement Officer know.

Mr. Finneral discussed amendment #1 in regard to the floodplain. Mr. Finneral asked if there was any public input. There was none.

Mr. Finneral made a motion to vote to accept amendment #1 to the Zoning Ordinance and include this on the ballot. Mr. Millette seconded the motion. All were in favor.

The rationale will be to conform with new FEMA language and maps for property owners in Newbury to receive flood insurance through FEMA.

This is less restrictive.

There was discussion on the 2024 amendments to the building regulations proposed by the Planning Board. Amendment #1 proposes to get rid of minimum square footage requirements to build. Nothing else changes except for the size.

Mr. Wright asked why this was recommended. Ms. Mitchell said because the number seems arbitrary. There was discussion regarding the removal of this number.

Mr. Finneral closed the public hearing.

Mr. Finneral made a motion to move forward with the Newbury Building Regulations Amendment #1 to remove the minimum living space requirement. Mr. Millette seconded the motion. All were in favor.

The rationale will be to allow more flexibility to property owners and be less restrictive.

Other:

Mr. Finneral reminded everyone that the February meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.

Mr   Millette made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Schultz seconded the motion. All in favor.

The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna S. Long

Recording Secretary