Town of Warner – Planning Board

Minutes of Work Session

Monday, November 20, 2006 7:00 PM

Warner Town Hall, Lower Level

 

Members Present: Barbara Annis, Derek Pershouse, Phil Reeder, Ed Mical

Members Late: None

Members Absent: Andrew Serell, Mark Lennon, Russ St. Pierre, Selectman Wayne Eigabroadt

Alternates Present: Ed Mical

Alternates Absent: Brian Patsfield

Presiding: Barbara Annis

Recording: Deborah Freeman

OPEN MEETING at 7:00 PM

ROLL CALL

Chair Annis asked everyone in the room to turn off their cell phones.

Ed Mical voting for Russ St. Pierre.

Chair Annis when we talk about zoning changes I recommend all board members, including alternates, vote on the changes. Hearing no objections, alternates will be allowed to vote.

CONCEPTUAL CONSULTATION – Norman Larocque and Dennis Larocque

Applicant: 361 Couchtown Rd., Warner, NH 03278

Property location: Two lots of record, 15-46-3 and 15-47-5 both in OC-1 zoning

Purpose: Potential lot line adjustment of 15-46-3 to create a buildable lot from abutting lot 15-47-5

Mr. Larocque distributed a map of the lots for discussion

Norman Larocque lot 46-3, would like to give part of his lot to Dennis Larocque 47-5 to allow him to build in compliance with current setbacks.

Both lots are lots of record

Lot 46-3 approx. 8 acres with 300’ frontage

Lot 47-5 approx ½ acre, 258’frontage

Though 47-5 is a lot of record it is not buildable due to the current set backs. The acreage requirement does not come in to play as it is a lot of record predating zoning regulations.

OC-1 zoning does require that Norman keep 5 acres.

Contour of 46-3, has a brook running North – South.

The house is deep into the lot on the left side.

The proposal is to square off, the substandard lot of record, 47-5 to comply with the 50’ setbacks.

Derek Pershouse: If we are not requiring the acreage because it is a lot of record, does it make sense to require part of the ordinance, the setbacks. The only ordinance 47-5 does not currently meet are the 50’ setbacks.

Martha Mical: I believe it is in RSA 674-28 or 674-41 that states a lot of record only has to meet the current setbacks. The acreage and frontage does not have to be met for a lot of record.

Phil Reeder: The intent of the 5 acre ordinance was to keep open space. No matter where you draw the property line between these two pieces of property there is only going to be one house on each lot, it can’t be subdivided. It is possible that an additional ½ acre is all that is needed, whatever is needed to meet the 50’ setbacks. For future accessory buildings, it is up to them, it might make sense to make 47-5 big enough to do so.

N. Larocque: I’m suggesting giving him an acre so the lot is 1 ½ acres and kind of square it off, plenty from any lot line.

Board: That seems reasonable. Basically keeps in spirit with the open space and provides a buildable lot, which is equitable in this case.

Board: Addressing Mr. Larocque, you do have to come back to the Planning Board once the surveyor has does his work.

MOTION made to recommend an adequate amount of acreage be granted to the nonconforming lot (15-47-5) in order to meet setbacks, maintaining 5 buildable acres on lot 15-46-3. MOTION SECOND and PASSED UNANIMOUSLY (Ed Mical, Phil Reeder, Derek Pershouse, Barbara Annis).

COMMERCIAL SITEPLAN – continued from October 16, 2006 meeting

Property Owners: RAW Investment Trust, Inc., PO Box 596, Newport, NH 03773

Owner: Ray Wentzell and Mark Feenstra, c/o Mark Feenstra, 201 Delano Rd., Cape Elizabeth, ME, 04107

Property Location: Route 103 West, West Main St., Warner, NH 03278 Map 35, Lots 4-1 & 4-2

Purpose: Each lot to have a separate building: 10,080 sq. ft & 15,340 sq. ft. Rental for commercial use in accordance with Table 1 of the Warner Zoning Ordinance.

a. Action taken – Approve/Disapprove/Delay

Ms. Annis: Are there any changes?

Mr. Feestra: Yes, in relation to the Park & Ride, elevations.

Ms. Annis: So this differs from what is currently posted?

Mr. Feenstra: Yes.

Points of Discussion:

Presented changes per DOT on page 2. Changes were highlighted.

The response from FEMA will be 30-60 days.

The landscape designer was unable to attend to answer questions – would be glad to respond via phone or email. Mr. Pellettieri was asked if he would take a look at the landscaping. To the best of our knowledge, he has not yet.

Exaction fees are the focus of a meeting with Central NH Regional Planning on Nov 28th.

Reviewed samples of siding colors.

Mr. Feenstra: What further is needed for approval?

FEMA – needs to approve. If in error and it is granted, we may possibly jeopardize our participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, and our ordinances specifically relating to that program.

Bond will be required. Mr. Feenstra volunteered to obtain some information.

Proven & Lorbar to review.

Exaction Fee will be determined for a portion of the traffic light.

Basement area to be used exclusively for storage to be in writing.

Mr. Feenstra: Free flowing traffic between the proposed establishments and Evans would be ideal.

Response: Evans has not responded to our letters.

Mr. Mical: Has the lot east of you contacted you in reference to access? Begin.

Mr. Feenstra: No. He has a right of way now across the front of lot 3. We have not received any written request from Begin.

Mr. Feenstra: NH State Liquor Store has stepped up to the plate, they want 10,000 feet – 5, 000 retail space and 5,000 below for storage.

Mr. Mical: One of the things I asked about, based on an experience with the existing Market Basket entrance, the little island which is private, they are no longer maintaining it - Consider condition of approval clear enter, exit lines lanes that are well striped including ongoing maintenance. What about turning lanes?

Ms. Annis: We can address turning lanes with NH Department of Transportation (NHDOT) when we meet with them on Nov. 28th.

Ms. Annis: In preliminary talks with NHDOT, the width is already there for turning lanes.

Mr. Reeder: On the permit you have listed what you intend to have going in to your retail spaces. If there is a change in use a new permit will be required.

Points of Discussion:

The driveway permit from NHDOT is based on specific types of businesses listed, traffic generated.

Intended square footage as outlined in the NHDOT permit is a proposal – change in use as outlined in the NHDOT permit requires approval of the Planning Board.

#14 on the driveway permit specifically talks about plans prepared by Essex Survey, submitted and revised on November 13th – these are the plans presented tonight.

We are in the process of determining the cross and timing of putting in a traffic light. In those discussions, consider the possibility of a halfway measure such as a blinking light and two stop signs on 103 or some alternative traffic management other than a light?

Jim Lillas, NHDOT District Five, his response to Ms. Annis’ question on the issue of sidewalks and crosswalks was that he discouraged both – discouraging pedestrian traffic. NHDOT did not respond to the questions outlined in Ms. Annis’ letter dated October 18, 2006. Board discussed possible crosswalk/sidewalk options.

Drainage – Mr. Feenstra reported the drainage has not changed. Mr. Pershouse agreed to take the proposed plans to Provan & Lorbar to look for consistency, particularly in regard to the drainage - Mr. Mical will try to attend.

Nancy Martin: Representing the Conservation Commission, to be sure that Mr. Feenstra is aware of the commission’s concerns regarding the drainage, the swale and how it should be constructed to protect the well head and the water that runs not only in the conservation area behind the lot into the river and upstream from the town’s well – we have some serious concerns about that. Those concerns are addressed in the November 14th, letter from the Commission to RAW and the Planning Board. I would like Provan and Lorber to look at the letter and address our concerns with regard to the drainage plan.

Ms. Annis: The swale is in the state right of way, the state had to approve what he is doing in their right of way.

Ms. Martin: We have some suggestions about grasses and the fact that if he constructed something like Market Basket has it might have to go on a portion of the property, whether or not that is feasible, that’s the best case scenario – like what Market Basket has done with the grasses, weeds and cattails over there that remove the pollutants from the runoff.

ZONING CHANGES - RECOMMENDATIONS

Board reviewed a list of zoning changes proposed at the June 18th meeting by Zoning Board of Adjustment, other individuals and boards.

Zoning board suggested some clarifications. On Page 2 and 5, "structure" is currently defined the same as "building", they should be differentiated, e.g. a cell tower is not the same as an occupied building. Currently, building "means any combination of materials having a roof and enclosed exterior walls, fixed to the land, and constructed for the shelter of persons, animals or property. [amended March 1999]". Question, would a fence be considered a structure? Would it therefore come under zoning? It was suggested that a building is a structure, but a structure is not a building. Discussion: Types of structures that may qualify as a building under zoning regulations, pools? Pole barns? etc. Suggested we could obtain definitions from one of our neighbors, Hopkinton. Board agreed to further research definitions. RSA 155-A:2 VI. "Structure" means structure as defined and interpreted by the International Code council’s International building Code 2000.

Page 4: Major subdivision – state in definition "4 or more".

Page 3: "Height" definition – After discussion, no changes to the definition.

Page 3 "Gross Floor Area" and Page 16, Section X.I. F. @ 20,000 square feet gross floor area. The intent of XI. F. is that no building should exceed 20,000 square feet per building; no lot to exceed 40,000 sq. ft. (two buildings). After "The maximum gross floor area…" remove "gross floor area", replace with "footprint…" and "Where more gross floor area is required…" remove the word "gross".

Page 3, Gross Floor Area does not need to be redefined. Versus making an additional change to the definition we are changing section XI. F.

Page 3-4 h. [home occupation] reads 25% of dwelling OR accessory building. ZBA recommended and Planning Board concurs that it should be changed to 25% of the total floor area of dwelling, including basement and all accessory buildings. It is the intent of the ordinance to assure that the primary function remain a dwelling vs a business. Remove "(either in the dwelling or in an accessory building)"; add "and accessory building" to read:

h. utilizes an area of not more than twenty-five (25%) of the total floor area of the dwelling (including any functional basement) and accessory buildings.

Page 6, IV. B. Delete entirely and replace with "Refer to Earth Excavation Regulations adopted November 8, 2006.

Page 6, IV. I. 2. Question: Include ornamental, e.g. spires, etc. as part of the height calculation? 2. Change "structure" to "structure/building" in first line. Cupolas and facades are not listed… or similar non-functional building components. Decision: add "structures" after "ornamental" in line 4, to read:

2. The structure is any of the following and does not constitute a hazard to an established airport: television and radio towers, church spires, belfries, monuments, tanks, water and fire towers, stage towers and scenery lofts, barns, silos, cooling towers, ornamental structures, towers and spires, chimneys, elevator bulkheads smokestacks, conveyors, and flagpoles.

Page 6, Article IV. F. Use Permit. This has not been applied – either we have to do it or remove it. Use Permits are zoning compliance; a Use Permit issued prior to a building permit stating they are in compliance with what they propose to do with regard to the zoning regulations. Decision: Leave in. Make the Selectmen’s Office aware of the Zoning Compliance Officer not issuing Use Permits.

Page 7, Article IV. P – Compared to Use Table on page 38, 1. Decision: change Use Table to agree with definition of "Home Occupation" g. (page 4) allowing employment of equal to one full time person outside the family.

Page 7, Aritcle IV. M.- storage containers. Requested change is unclear – leave as is.

Page 18, Article XII – temporary signs. Possibly needs to be defined so as not to require permitting for events such as yard sales, church suppers, real estate signs, etc. Decision to further review.

Page 19, Article XII, C. & D. Decision: further review.

Page 23, Article XIII F. 4. and G. – No action at this time.

Page 32, 2. This section was originally a suggestion, intended as a guide - it was not intended to be an ordinance. Recommend it be deleted entirely.

Building Code Ordinance, Page 1. Article II, A. It is confusing as to whether a building permit is needed when a structure is being restored, which does not alter the principal use. Current interpretation is if you are not going outside the current footprint, you do not need a building permit. "Interior" building permits were discussed.

Second sentence: change "Any exterior construction shall" to read "Any exterior construction or replacement shall". New state building code is applicable to all commercial buildings. This issue may need more discussion.

Page 1. Article II B.1-a. Language should be replaced to read "current HUD standards". To read construction safety standards to be the current year’s Department of Housing and Urban Development.

VI. ADJOURN

MOTION made, SECOND and UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.

MINUTES APPROVED December 18, 2006.