PLANNING BOARD

Walpole, NH  03608

PUBLIC NOTICE

Amendments to Zoning Ordinance and Well Source Protection Ordinance

The Walpole Planning Board will hold the first Public Hearing on the following six (6) proposed amendments to the Town of Walpole Zoning Ordinance to be adopted by a Town vote at the March 11, 2008 Town Meeting.

The Public Hearing will be held on December 11, 2007 at 7:30pm in the Town Hall.  All are encouraged to attend.

            Please be advised that the Board shall, by vote, determine the final form of the amendments to be presented to the Town, which may include editorial revisions and textual modifications resulting from the public hearing.  Additional public hearings shall be held if the proposed amendments are substantively altered by the Board resulting from the public hearing.  Full text of Amendments #1 through #6 are contained within this notice.   Copies of all proposed amendments will be posted at the Town Hall, Burdick’s Market and the Board’s website:  www.walpoleplanningboard.org for review prior to all meetings and the Official Final copy no later than Feb. 5, 2008.  Existing Zoning and Well Source Ordinances are posted for comparison.

Planning Board Proposed Amendment #1 - Allow Home Businesses in the Rural Agricultural District in the same way they are allowed in the Residential and Commercial Districts as follows:

Add the following new provision to:  Article VIII. Rural Agricultural District - B., Uses Permitted:  2)  Residences may be used to house such customary uses by the owner or tenant as offices for doctors, lawyers, real estate or insurance, or other recognized professions, or such home occupations as hair dressing or dress-making, except that the number of persons employed at any one location shall not number more than two persons in addition to the owner or tenant.  Adequate off-street parking shall be provided on the premises.

Planning Board Proposed Amendment #2 - Clarify the intent to require review of excavations as industrial, manufacturing or commercial operations  as follows:

Amend the existing wording under:  Article IV - General Provisions - E.  Removal of Sand and Gravel:  The commercial excavation of clay, sod, loam, sand, gravel or other earth materials shall be allowed by special exception in the Industrial, Rural/Agricultural, and Timberland Districts only, and by permit, pursuant to the provisions of RSA 155E.  The Zoning Board of Adjustment shall serve as the regulator for the purpose of granting such permits, and they are hereby authorized to adopt such rules as may be reasonable and necessary to carry out the provisions of RSA 155-E, and this ordinance.  Please also see:  “Town of Walpole’s Regulations Governing Earth Excavations”.  In addition any excavations as described above is to be considered an industrial manufacturing and commercial operation and shall be subject to a special exception review as outlined in Article VIII Rural Agricultural District C.  Special Exceptions and may be subject to a Site Plan Review by the Planning Board.

Planning Board Proposed Amendment #3  - Referencing the Well Source Protection Ordinance to the Zoning Ordinance to prevent it from being overlooked as follows:

Add the following new provision to:  Article IV. - General Provisions: 

K.  Protection of Town Water Supply:  1.  Proposals or developments located within the Well Source Protection Areas are subject to the provisions outlined in the Well Source Protection Ordinance as established by the Town of Walpole March 9, 2004 pursuant to NH RSA 674:21, Innovative Land Use Controls.  Please also see:  Town of Walpole Well Source Protection Ordinance and Maps.

Planning Board Proposed Amendment #4 - Referencing the Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance to the Zoning Ordinance to prevent it from being overlooked as follows: 

Add the following new provision to:  Article IV. - General Provisions: 

J.  Telecommunications Facilities are subject to review under the provisions outlined in the Telecommunications Facilities Ordinance as established by the Town of Walpole on March 12, 2002 pursuant to NH RSA 674:15 and 21, II.  Please also see:  Town of Walpole Telecommunications Facilities and Ordinance.

Planning Board Proposed Amendment #5 - Referencing the Retirement Community Overlay District to the Zoning Ordinance to prevent it from being overlooked as follows:

Add the following new provision to:  Article V. - Residential District B.  Uses Permitted:  5.  Retirement community developments are subject to review under the provisions outlined in the Retirement Community Overlay District as set forth by the Town of Walpole pursuant to NH RSA 674:21, Innovative Land Use Controls.  Please also see Article IX - 1 Retirement Community Overlay District in the Town of Walpole Zoning Ordinance.

Planning Board Proposed Amendment #6 - Establish a review procedure in the Well Source Protection Ordinance as follows:

Add the following new provision to:  Section 4.  Conditional Uses A.  Permit Required:

Procedure on Application:  a.  The Planning Board shall act upon the application in accordance with the procedural requirements of the Site Plan Review Regulations and NH RSA 676:4 Boards Procedures on Plats.

For the Board, Pamela Aslinger, Secretary, 11/27/07