Littleton, New Hampshire

Approved Planning Board Minutes Feb 21, 2012

LITTLETON PLANNING BOARD HEARING
COMMUNITY HOUSE HEALD ROOM
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
APPROVED
6:00 P.M.


PRESENT: Chairman Charlie Ryan, Vice Chair Linda MacNeil, Val Poulsen, Bruce Ralston, Jim Daly, Mell Brooks, Tony J. Ilacqua, Arwen Mitton, and Joanna Ray (recording secretary)

EXCUSED: Marghie Seymour

OTHERS: Eddy Moore, Chief Paul Smith, Mary Edick, Tom Smith, Gardner Kellogg, Ron Bolt, and Gene Girdwood

Chairman Ryan called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

The Board reviewed the minutes from 12-20-2011. Vice Chair MacNeil made a motion to approve the minutes as written. Jim Daly seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

CONTINUATION OF: Episcopal Church & Parsonage, Owner / Littleton Community Building, Owner / Gardner Kellogg, Agent – PB11-11 – Request for a lot line adjustment between tax map 78-114 & 78-112 located at 29-35 School St & 120 Main St in the R-I and C-I zones.

The case was noticed, fees were paid, and the application was signed. Chairman Ryan accepted the case as complete. Ron Bolt called a point of order. Ron wanted to know which alternate would be voting in place of Marghie Seymour. Jim Daly stated that neither alternate has been appointed to fill the ex-officio position. The Board still had enough members present to qualify as a quorum.

Chairman Ryan read the memo sent to him by the recording secretary. The wrong information was given to Gardner Kellogg regarding the required setback for the Church. In 2003, the ZBA granted approval for a side setback of no less than 7-ft and a rear setback of no less than 13.5 ft. The current application has the rear setback at 7 ft. The Board discussed their option of approving the lot line adjustment request with the condition of ZBA approval.

Tony J. Ilacqua asked Eddy Moore, former ZBA Chairman, what the reason was for the approved setbacks. Eddy stated the reasons were probably the drainage from the Church property and runoff from the Annex building. Mell Brooks said he wrote a report about the rainfall in 2008. The design of the drainage and catch basin did the work it was designed to do.

Chairman Ryan noted that changing the setbacks will not change the location of the buildings and therefor the drainage will not change. Water will still go to the same places.

Eddy Moore suggested that the Board continue the case until the applicants receive ZBA approval for the proposed setbacks. Vice Chair MacNeil agreed.

Vice Chair MacNeil made a motion to continue Episcopal Church & Parsonage, Owner / Littleton Community Building, Owner / Gardner Kellogg, Agent – PB11-11 – Request for a lot line adjustment between tax map 78-114 & 78-112 located at 29-35 School St & 120 Main St in the R-I and C-I zones until April 17, 2012. Arwen Mitton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Other Business:

Vice Chair MacNeil read the letter that was submitted by Dr. Morley regarding the parking issues on Cottage Street. Chairman Ryan stated the Board does not have any control over this. It is a Town problem on a State highway. Chief Smith said there are no restrictions in that area for the Police Department to enforce. Chairman Ryan read a list of violations enforceable without a sign. Vice Chair Mac Neil read the Town’s parking regulations. Jim Daly stated that none of these address Dr. Morley’s concerns.

Jim Daly asked if signs can stop the current issues. Tony J. Ilacqua replied that it was a State road. Chief Smith said that passing ordinances could be done, but enforcement becomes an issue. Chief Smith asked Gene Girdwood if the problem is still ongoing. Gene said there were problems parking inside the site at the time. The workers are currently back to parking on the site. The building should be done before the rest of the site work in the spring. Lumber trucks are still arriving and temporarily parked out front until unloaded. Gene also stated that there is enough parking onsite for the residents.

Tony J. Ilacqua said that the next time this type of project comes before the Board, more questions about parking should be asked.

Gene Girdwood said that work during site line improvements will cause vehicles to not park onsite. Bruce Ralston suggested informing contractors about the safety hazard.

Chief Smith said the businesses in that area have their own parking lots. Individuals leaving a parking area need to do so in a safe manner. Chairman Ryan stated that there are other properties with the same problem with having difficulty seeing while exiting a driveway. Chief Smith suggested that Dr. Morley contact the Police Department if his driveway is blocked or if there is a violation.

Mell Brooks asked if cones could be placed during the construction. Tony J. Ilacqua stated that traffic control is up there during construction. There is nothing the Board can do to correct this situation. Gene Girdwood will inform his contractors. Gene agreed to keep being a considerate neighbor and communicate with them.

Vice Chair MacNeil asked Mell Brooks to draft a letter to Dr. Morley explaining the Board’s discussion.

The Board moved on to a question that has come up since the Board was shown a conceptual subdivision plan. If the Board requires a developer to deed an easement to the Town as part of their development, would the Town cover the cost incurred? The Board agreed that any cost incurred for such a thing would be paid for by the developer.

Tom Smith presented a conceptual plan for a lot line adjustment. The LLA, of approximately 1000 sq. ft., is for two non-conforming lots. The lots will remain non-conforming after the LLA. Tom asked the Board if ZBA approval would also be needed. Arwen Mitton stated that changing the lot size would remove its grandfathered status. Mell Brooks agreed. Val Poulsen stated that the Board has never refused a LLA in the past. Eddy Moore said he would like to see something in writing stating that the Planning Board can make a lot less non-conforming without ZBA approval. Joanna Ray told the Board that the Zoning Officer should be the one to decide if the proposed LLA needs ZBA approval. Joanna will get a legal opinion and inform Tom of what applications are needed.

The Board discussed the merge of tax maps 73-13 & 73-20 for David Eastman. The created lot will have only one residence. Val Poulsen made a motion to approve the merge. Bruce Ralston seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Vice Chair MacNeil asked if there has been any progress with an alternative entrance plan to McDonald’s. Joanna Ray informed Vice Chair MacNeil that an extension has been requested. Vice Chair MacNeil said the Board should give an extension until March 22, 2012. Chairman Ryan instructed Joanna to send another letter with the extension date.

The Board discussed an article in the newspaper regarding the Town’s Master Plan. The article was wrong. The correct information is that the Board looks at the Master Plan every year and reviews / updates chapters one at a time. The entire Master Plan is not reviewed in its entirety every year. Vice Chair MacNeil said the Board needs to decide which chapter to update this summer.

At 7:15, Val Poulsen made a motion to adjourn. Arwen Mitton seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Submitted by,
Joanna Ray

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