Planning Board Minutes

Planning Board

December 9, 2021

FINAL

Board Members Present:  Darren Finneral, Chair; Chris Hernick, Vice-Chair, Joanne Lord, Chris Millette, Denise Mitchell, Members; Scott Wheeler, Selectboard ex-officio.

Town Personnel: Tiffany Favreau, Land Use Coordinator

Public: Dan Wolf, June Fichter, Kristen Shultz and others.

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

Mr. Finneral read the Notice of the Public Hearing.

ADMINISTRATIVE:

#7 – Definition of Residence - Mr. Finneral said he spoke to the Town attorney, and there is a legal error in how this was written for the public hearing because it discusses “residence”, but RSA 21.6 (as indicated) refers to the definition of “resident”. Mr. Hernick suggested that all we need to do is change the language to say RSA 21.6–A. After a brief discussion, it was decided to keep this as a proposed change to the ordinances. Mr. Finneral will ask the attorney if they can just add the change of the RSA.

#2 & #3 – Accessory Apartments – Ms. Favreau said this will be changing residential and business, not changing overlay or Blodgett’s. Ms. Favreau asked what would happen if something is in residential and in the overlay since they have different dimensions. Ms. Favreau said in the residential district would be 1200 sq. ft. and the overlay would only be 1000 sq. ft. She said it will create some confusion for land use and enforcement. Ms. Fichter asked why the change to 1200 sq. ft. and Ms. Mitchell said the Housing Committee was told it would be more favorable if they could put in a larger ADU. Discussion ensued regarding the burden on the Town as far as services in the Town. Mr. Wolf said the State number is 800 sq. ft. He thinks we should be responding to what the demand is from our citizens, not hypothetically. Mr. Wolf suggests it should stay at 1000 sq. ft. and we can always increase it later if it is needed. Ms. Favreau said we are the most lenient with our ADU requirements compared to other surrounding towns on our area. 

#1, #4, #5 & #6 – All relate to Article 12. Ms. Fichter wanted to know why the suggestion of “purely residential” would be removed. Mr. Hernick said the Housing Committee wanted to make it beneficial to add cluster housing to a business district. There was discussion surrounding all of these. There was a question regarding the definition of a density bonus. Ms. Mitchell explained what this term means. Mr. Wolf said he is behind #5. 

Mr. Finneral said he wants to be clear before he closes the hearing. He wanted to confirm that there is no language change other than #7. Everyone agreed. 

Mr. Finneral closed the public hearing. 

Mr. Finneral asked the Board members if they wanted to vote this evening. The Board decided to vote tonight.

#1 - Cluster Development – A vote was taken. There were 6 ayes and no nays. This was determined to be less restrictive.

#2 – 1200 sq. ft. change – A vote was taken.  There were 3 ayes and 3 nays. A revote will be taken on December 21 when the 7thmember is in.

# 3 – 1200 sq. ft. change - same as above.

#4 – Removing “purely residential” from definition - A vote was taken and there were 6 ayes and no nays. This is determined to be less restrictive.

#5 – Density bonus – A vote was taken. There were 6 ayes and no nays. This is determined to be less restrictive.

#6 - Permitted uses – A vote was taken and there were 6 ayes and no nays. This is determined to be less restrictive.

#7 – Residence definition - this will be rewritten after Mr. Finneral speaks with the Town Attorney. 

Mr. Hernick made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Milette seconded the motion.  All in favor.

The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna S. Long

Recording Secretary

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