PLANNING BOARD

Walpole, NH 03608

MINUTES:  Regular Meeting –Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 at 7:00 pm–Town Hall Second Floor.

Presiding:  Jeff Miller, Ch.

Members Present:  Bob Miller, V-Ch.; Eric Merklein, Ben Daviss, Dave DeCoste, Henry Fletcher, Sheldon Sawyer, Selectman; Jeff White, alt., Donn Lounsbury, alt.

Recording:  Regina Borden, Temp. Sec. sitting in for Pamela Aslinger

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the November 10, 2009 meeting for errors, corrections and omissions.  There were 14 persons in the audience.

I. Meeting opened at 7:00 pm:

A. Roll call:  All regular members were present, no alternates were designated.

B. Minutes:  Mr. Merklein moved to approve the minutes and it was seconded by Mr. R.  Miller, vote was called, all were in favor, the motion carried.

II. New Business/Preliminary Discussions/Application Submissions:

A. Hodgkins & Sons, Inc., Minor 2 Lot Subdivision in Rte. 12 S Industrial Park:  Russell Huntley, from SVE Associates, represented Hodgkins & Sons, Inc.  The applicants are requesting a minor 2 lot subdivision that is located off the southeast end of Industrial Park Road in the Industrial Zone.  20.11 acres+/- would be subdivided as follows: Lot #1 = 13.88 acres+/- with 215.3’+/- frontage and Lot #2 = 6.23 acres with 207.0’ frontage.  It has been surveyed all around.  There were no questions or comments made.  Mr. J. Miller noted that the applicants have submitted an application that is complete, an abutters list and check for the fees.  A Public Hearing will be scheduled for the November meeting.

B. Bensonwood Homes, Lot Line Adjustment, Rte. 12N:

No one was present at this meeting to represent Bensonwood Homes.

C. Hubbard LLC, Minor 3 Lot Subdivision, Rte. 123:

Mr. J. Miller advised that his wife works for Hubbard LLC but he did not feel this presented a conflict of interest; the members agreed.  Chip O’Brien, represented Hubbard LLC.  The applicants are requesting a minor three lot subdivision behind Shaw’s Supermarket at 38 + 46 Upper Walpole Road. This is in the Rural – AG Zone. Lot #1 = 17.49 acres; Lot #2 = 11.62 acres; and Lot #3 = 13.34 acres.  Frontage will be as follows:  Lot #1 – none to be annexed to Lot #58; Lot #2 – 400’; and Lot #3 – 237.97’.  The property exists of a Hatchery + Truck Garage + Baseball Field + Woodlot; proposed use will remain the same.  Dale Hubbard explained that they plan to establish a Youth Baseball Foundation Trust; they hope to build two Little League fields on one side of the road but it would involve taking down the hatchery.  There was discussion relative to having a Site Plan Review however the PB could deem it not significant whereby they could waive this requirement.  Mr. J. Miller noted that the applicants have submitted an application that is complete, an abutters list and check for the fees. 

Mr. Daviss moved to hold a Public Hearing on the minor three lot subdivision for Hubbard LLC and a separate Public Hearing on the Site Plan Review as proposed by Hubbard LLC for the Walpole Youth Baseball Foundation Trust.  There will be two separate hearings on the same night.  Mr. Merklein seconded the motion, vote was called, all were in favor, the motion carried.          

D. Myra Mansouri, Ch. ZBA: Industrial Zone Lot Standards, Amendment:

Walpole Planning Board Meeting Minutes 10/13/09 – Pg 2

Myra Mansouri, Chairperson of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, distributed copies of Article VII –Industrial District.  She explained that the Industrial Zone does not have a lot of requirements so they would like to tighten it up a little.  These changes will clarify the issues and bring it in line with the Commercial District.  All proposed changes were indicated in bold letters. 

·         Requirements - #2 - The lot area in the industrial district shall be not less than 25,000 square feet and every lot shall have a minimum frontage of 150 feet.

·         Special Exceptions:

·         1.  Commercial operations by Special Exception from the Board of Adjustment under the same provisions as apply to the use permitted under Article VI, the Commercial District;

·         a.  Consideration of Planning Board Recommendation on the project based on its determination following a public hearing, that:

·         i) property currently zoned for commercial operations is either unavailable or inadequate for the proposed use;

·         ii) the proposed use is appropriate and consistent with the Town’s Master Plan.

·         b. Each proposed use must show it will not infringe on the primary established use of the district.

·         c. No commercial venture or use shall be permitted which would cause any undue hazard to health, safety or property values or which could be offensive to the public because of noise, vibration, excessive traffic, unsanitary conditions, noxious odors, smoke, or similar reason.

·         d. All signs shall meet the requirement of Part D of the General Provisions of the Zoning Ordinance.       

Mr. Sawyer moved to hold the Public Hearing on the changes proposed by the ZBA during the November meeting.  Mr. Daviss seconded the motion, vote was called, all were in favor, the motion carried.

III. Review Applications Submitted:

Mr. J. Miller opened the Public Hearing on the following:

504 Main St., LLC/Fred Dill – Minor 2 lot subdivision, Brickstone Masons, agent.

Located on Rte. 12 N, Map 12, Lot 13, commercially zoned.  Proposal creates Lot 1 of 11.49 acres to be retained by 504 Main St., LLC and Lot 2 of 4.92 acres to be purchased by Primax Properties, LLC.  Lot 2 accesses via a 50 ft. right of way over Lot 1 as a common driveway for a retail store.  Both lots meet frontage, setbacks and size requirements for the zone.  David Bergeron of Brickstone Masons, Inc. represented Primex Properties, LLC.  There is sewer available in the road (Rte 12); for the Site Plan they will be proposing to bring in the water service.  On the smaller lot No. 2 they are proposing a retail store for Tractor Supply Co. 

Mr. Fletcher moved to accept this application as complete.  Mr. R.  Miller seconded the motion, vote was called, all were in favor, the motion carried.

Alicia Andrews would like to know what the lighting will be.  Mr. Bergeron explained that this will be reviewed as a part of the Site Plan Review.  The building will be toward the rear of the lot with the parking lot toward the front.  Lighting will be building mounted and downcast (shoe box with the lights inside) with only security lighting left on overnight.  There will be no flood lights but there will be security lights.  Most of the lights are time sensitive.  They will go out about one hour after closing the store.

Walpole Planning Board Meeting Minutes 10/13/09 – Page 3

Mr. Castellano owns the Laundromat and questioned the water and sewer as he is concerned with his well.  Mr. Bergeron said their intent is to extend the municipal water and sewer lines. 

Jim Dyer asked about the hours.  Frank Alexander said the store will be open 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Saturday and from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sunday.  There will only be one 18-wheeler delivery during the week with a special lot; UPS will probably deliver every day. 

Seth Andrews questioned the security lights.  Mr. Alexander said they will be wall mounted fixtures; three on the sides and two on the front; just enough light to go around the building.  There will be a few lights on inside the building. 

IV. Close Public Hearing/Re-open Meeting – Action:

Mr. J. Miller closed this Public Hearing at 7:40 PM.

Mr. DeCoste  moved to approve the two lot subdivision for 504 Main St., LLC/ Fred Dill as presented.  Mr. R. Miller seconded the motion, vote was called, all were in favor, the motion carried. 

V. Planning Discussion / Communications and Miscellaneous:

A. Economic Development – Schedule Work Session 10/27/09:  Mr. J. Miller announced that the PB had their first Economic Development work session.  He urged everyone to attend the next session on Tuesday, October 27th at 7:00 pm.  Southwest Regional Planning Commission will be an agenda item for this meeting.

B. Vilas Bridge:  Mr. Sawyer asked the PB to write a letter of support for the Vilas Bridge to the Department of Transportation.  It doesn’t appear that it will be done soon because of the funding shortage.   Mr. Davis attended the Sept. 30th Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intra Motor Transportation and advised that four representatives from the Town of Rockingham attended this meeting.  They had the agreement that the State of NH signed years ago stating that they would take care of that bridge.  After the meeting he talked to Tim Murphy who said it is on the Ten Year Plan but he does not feel anything will happen sooner than 2016.  There will be another meeting of the same committee in Alstead at 8:00 or 8:30 am with the SWRPC.  Mr. Sawyer felt we need to put pressure on the State to get the ground work done.  Tara Sad has been working on it.  Mr. J. Miller felt it is a matter of regional economy.

C. Brownsfield Properties:  Mr. Daviss noted that the SWRPC has extended an invitation for Walpole to attend the meetings on Brownsfield properties.  If Walpole has any properties they will come here to assist.  The next meeting is Wednesday, October 21st from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm in Peterborough at the National Guard Armory.

D. Innovative Land Use Grant:  Mr. Daviss advised that there is a Friday deadline to submit an application from any Town that wants a grant for Innovative Land Use.

E. Cartographic Associates, LLC:  Mr. Sawyer advised that at the last Selectboard meeting they had a presentation on mapping from Cartographic Associates, LLC.  They have up-dated the Town maps for many years.  Several years ago the Town appropriated $100,000 to have them do a more accurate mapping but it was not done.  To do a similar new digital mapping would now

Walpole Planning Board Meeting Minutes 10/13/09 – Page 4

cost about $60,000 because the NH DOT will be taking aerial photos of the entire state in the spring.  These more accurate maps would be of value to the PB. 

F. Aumand Furniture Store Building:  Mr. R. Miller is very unhappy with the design of the new Aumand Furniture Store building.  At the time it was presented he went along with it but he is very dissatisfied with the building.  In the future he will be sure to voice his opinion.  Several other PB members agreed.  The PB felt they should think about including a design review in the future.

G. Completion Bond or Protection Bond:  Mr. Merklein would like the PB to consider requiring a Completion Bond or Protection Bond on future projects.  This would be a protection for the Town in the event a developer failed to complete the project.  Mr. J. Miller felt they should obtain some information on how an insurance company would make a settlement with the Town in the event that a bond was issued but the project was not completed.

VI. Meeting Adjourned 8:14 PM.