Planning Board Minutes
Planning Board
September 11, 2018
Final
Approved September 18, 2018
Members Present: Bruce Healey, Chair; Michael Beaton, Vice Chair; Regina Cockerill, Howard Maurer, Bill Weiler, Richard Wright, Members; Deane Geddes, Alternate; Russell Smith, Ex-officio Member Ken McWilliams, Advisor.
Mr. Healey called the meeting to order at 6:58 p.m.
Work Session:
Mr. Healey stated that he wanted to go through the entire action plan.
RC-1 – Newbury will continue to participate with the Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA) Watershed Committee efforts to implement the watershed plan and adopt land use regulations to ensure the long term protection of Lake Sunapee. Mr. Healey said that Ms. Cockerill has joined the Lake Sunapee Protective Association Watershed Committee. She will represent the Board and keep the members updated. Ongoing.
DH-2 – Conduct a housing needs assessment of the community to identify additional unmet housing needs. This will include an evaluation of the land use regulations for opportunities to develop multifamily residential housing in compliance with state law. This assessment could also identify ways to facilitate the development review process for applicants proposing to develop affordable housing. Mr. Healey stated that it was high priority and will need to be accomplished before reviewing DH-3. High Priority.
DH-3 – Review and amend the zoning regulations to encourage development of a variety of housing types beyond single family residential units. Create user-friendly zoning regulations such as a one-page description of each district, including text and graphics that clearly communicate the regulations. Reviewed after DH-2 is completed. High Priority.
BR-1 – If water quality and flood control in Lake Sunapee and other surface waters is of concern to the town, an overlay zone for the vegetative buffer adjacent to surface water bodies to increase protection of water quality should be investigated. Mr. Healey said that what they are looking for is what can be done from the water’s edge to 15’ away from the water’s edge. Mr. Smith asked if it is currently a concern of the town right now. Mr. Healey said ‘no’ it is not currently a concern. Low Priority.
BR-2 – The Planning Board would consider protecting the water quality in the sand and gravel aquifers, even though they are not presently utilized for public drinking water supplies. Low Priority.
BR-3 – The town should identify strategies, including adoption of an Agricultural Commission that will direct future development away from the remaining agricultural soils to preserve the opportunity for food production in the future. An Agricultural Commission serves as an advisory and educational entity but does not have enforcement powers or regulatory authority. Low Priority.
BR-5 – Require developers during Site Plan Review, to identify any historic and cultural resources found on their property, locate them on the site plan, and preserves those resources similar to the requirements included in the Subdivision Regulations under Section 10.2.6 Protection of Historic & Cultural Resources. If archeologically significant discoveries are made during construction, developers are required to stop all work and contact the NH Office of Historic Preservation – Mr. Maurer said he has a problem with the last sentence of the paragraph. He feels that the process should happen at the beginning, not towards the end. Mr. Healey said that this would be part of the approval process. Mr. Maurer said the last sentence does not make sense to him because the person working on the construction will not know what is archeologically significant. He said this needs to be determined at the beginning of the process. Ms. Cockerill asked what the procedure would be. Mr. Healey said we can reword this as we go along with the process. High Priority.
BR-11- Review the potential of expanding the boundaries of the Skyline/Hillside Conservation Overlay District. Include an evaluation of the effectiveness of the administration and enforcement of the provisions of Overlay District, and, if needed, recommendations to improve techniques to administer and enforce the provisions of the District. Mr. Healey said that he has had this on the list for a few years and needs a committee’s effort to take this on. Mr. Weiler wants to know what the problem is with this regulation. He said that in the past there was no controversy. Mr. Healey said the question is whether the enforcement is adequate. Mr. Weiler agreed. High Priority.
BR-12 –Investigate the creation of a Forest Conservation District with a large minimum lot size to preserve large blocks of forested land and ensure low density development in these areas of the community. Mr. Wright said there is a huge amount of land in conservation in Newbury compared to other towns, and when you factor in typography, there is not a lot of growth potential in the town. Everyone agreed that this should remain low priority. Low Priority.
BR-13 – Consider developing and adopting local earth excavation regulations for new or expanded gravel pits. Completed.
BR-14 – Investigate how Newbury can integrate Low Impact Development (LID) techniques into the Subdivision and Site Plan Regulations to manage stormwater runoff. Mr. Maurer asked for clarification on what a rain garden is. Mr. Wright explained how a rain garden works. Medium Priority.
TR-1 – Advocate for the creation of shoulders along state-maintained roadways to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. Mr. Weiler said the regional planning commission is the only entity that can decide on what to do on state roads. Low Priority.
TR-2 – Newbury will endeavor to preserve and enhance use and access to the remaining railroad right-of way. Mr. Healey thinks this has real value but the problem is that there are several owners that are on the right-of-way. Low priority.
T-2 – Review and update Newbury Zoning Ordinance Article 17 to ensure that the regulation of future personal wireless service facilities (telecommunications tower, etc.) can be balanced with other community needs. High Priority.
CFS-2 – Promote energy conservation and the installation of renewable energy systems on public and private structures. Refer to NHOEP’s 2015 Solar Permitting Guide for materials. Investigate funding and locations for creating renewable energy systems to power municipal operations and contribute to emergency preparedness. High Priority.
CFS-5 –Update the Newbury Capital Improvement Program in 2017 to reflect initiatives in the updated Master Plan. High Priority.
CFS -8 – Continue to require developers to provide a water supply for fire-fighting purposes or provide their proportional fair share towards the development of a new water supply system. Ongoing.
LU-1 – Develop design guidelines or standards to encourage an aesthetic that preserves the New England small town character. New commercial or other non-residential buildings should be consistent in site planning with the scale, location, and character of structures within the community. Smaller buildings typical of traditional New England architecture should be encouraged or required. The Board decided to change this from High Priority to Medium Priority.
Mr. Healey said he would like to finish talking about housing and he also suggests that Mr. McWilliams put together a rough draft regarding Article 17 (cell towers).
Mr. McWilliams thought the starting point would be to see what is available for model ordinances.
Mr. Geddes thinks it makes sense for Mr. McWilliams take a first look at this. Mr. Healey supports this. It was decided that Mr. McWilliams will take on this Article.
Mr. Healey said he wants to conclude with a discussion regarding housing. He said that there needs to be a housing needs assessment before a discussion on changes to zoning. Mr. Healey said that there are guidelines and templates on many states on housing needs. He reviewed several different states and looked at their methodology on their needs assessment. He read Minnesota’s housing needs assessment. He also reviewed Vermont’s and Massachusetts’s assessments as well.
Mr. Weiler asked if there was a template for New Hampshire and Mr. Healey said he couldn’t find one.
Mr. Healey said that this project (housing needs assessment) is a big commitment.
Mr. Geddes thinks this project is a waste of time. This community has become upscale and there are no options for the younger generation to live here. They cannot afford to rent or build here. Mr. Wright said he agrees with Mr. Geddes and that it fulfills its own destiny. He said that a lot of people can’t afford to live in this town including younger and older people. Mr. Weiler agreed with them as well. He does not see how this will help Newbury.
Mr. Healey asked if the group is resigned to the fact that everyone will be the same in Newbury and not offer housing to other demographics.
Discussion ensued on affordable housing.
Mr. Healey asked how they should proceed. Mr. Beaton said that maybe we need to do an assessment. Mr. Wright said the biggest problem is that we don’t have the infrastructure to support it (grocery stores, hospitals, etc.)
Mr. Smith made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Wright seconded the motion. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna S. Long
Recording Secretary