Town of Warner – Planning Board and Master Plan Committee

Work Session Minutes

March 15, 2010

Warner Town Hall , Lower Level

 

Members Present:     Barbara Annis, Paul Violette, Rick Davies, Ed Mical, Dan Watts, and Hank Duhamel

Members Arriving Late: David Hartman

Members Excused:    None

Members Absent:      None

Alternates Present:    Peter Wyman

Alternates Excused:  None

Alternates Absent:     Harold French

Presiding:                   Barbara Annis

Recording:                  Tracey Hallenborg  

OPEN MEETING

ROLL CALL  

Barbara Annis opened the meeting at 7:02 PM . The roll call was taken.  

1. MINIMUM ROAD STANDARDS HANDOUT DISCUSSION  

Barbara Annis opened the discussion on Allan Brown’s Minimum Road Standards handout. Barbara Annis explained there was some discussion from the last meeting regarding exactly what Allan Brown wanted contained in the handout. After the Planning Board secretary met with Allan Brown a sample handout was drafted with a statement added to the bottom of the page to refer to the Subdivision Regulations for further details and specifications. A letter from Allan Brown was given to each Board member. In the letter from Allan Brown he stated his intention is to have a short simple handout for anyone requesting information on updating/creating a road. Barbara Annis stated Allan Brown requested the handout be available in the Selectman’s Office, his office and at the Planning Board Office.   

Paul Violette said he agreed with Allan Brown wanting a single sheet handout and was comfortable with adding a statement at the end of the handout referencing the Subdivision Regulations.  

Rick Davies pointed out the Road Surface Width needed to be updated to read Minimum of 24’ travel surface with 3’ shoulders to conform to the Subdivision Regulations. He also suggested replacing the current cross section diagram on the back with the updated Typical Section of Improvement All Roads diagram.  

David Hartman asked why the Planning Board was responsible for accepting the handout. He asked what would be the prevailing document the handout or the Subdivision Regulations. Barbara Annis stated the Subdivision Regulations would be the prevailing document. Barbara Annis stated the Planning Board was helping Allan Brown with the handout to be sure it corresponds with the Subdivision Regulations.  

After a short discussion the Board agreed to rename the document to Road Standards Overview and to change the statement on the bottom to read: For Full Details and Specification Requirements refer to Sections VI and VII of the Subdivision Regulations.  

2. PARTS OF SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS & CHECKLIST DISCUSSION                           

A. SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS:  

A brief discussion was held regarding Section C 1-b regarding adding eleven (11) copies 11X17 showing lot size, etc, for the Board to have in their packets to review before the meeting. Paul Violette suggested rewording the sentence to read: The applicant shall provide a large rough sketch of the land and eleven (11) copies 11X17 showing lot size…….. The Board was in agreement.  

A lengthy discussion was held regarding using the word “shall” as compared to “may”. The Board agreed to replace the word “shall” with “may” in Section C-5-e. It was also agreed to remove Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission as the reviewing agent. The new wording agreed upon is: Any major subdivision may be required to be reviewed by the Planning Board’s designated agent…..  

Section V-A-2 was discussed and the Board agreed to update the verbiage by deleting “drafting film” and leave Mylar. Dan Watts suggested adding a new paragraph 2a ---- making the current 2 into 2b. Ed Mical suggested moving V-C-4 paragraph starting with The Final Plat shall contain the following statement: ……. into V-A-2b.  

A brief discussion was held regarding the design phase, final phase and Public Hearings. David Hartman questioned the abutter input during the design review phase. Ed Mical read RSA 676:4 II (b) that reads:

Design review phase. The board or its designee may engage in nonbinding discussions    with the applicant beyond conceptual and general discussions which involve more specific design and engineering details; provided, however, that the design review phase may proceed only after identification of and notice to abutters, holders of conservation, preservation, or agricultural preservation restrictions, and the general public as required by subparagraph I(d). The board may establish reasonable rules of procedure relating to the design review process, including submission requirements. At a public meeting, the board may determine that the design review process of an application has ended and shall inform the applicant in writing within 10 days of such determination. Statements made by planning board members shall not be the basis for disqualifying said members or invalidating any action taken.

The Board agreed it is a good idea to have the abutters comment during the design review phase. David Hartman suggested changing the verbiage in Section III C. 2-b to read: At the discretion of the Planning Board the abutters may speak.  

Dan Watts is going to check into getting an updated Traffic Impact Assessment to update the tables in the Subdivision Regulations.  

B. MONUMENTS:  

A discussion was held regarding the different types of Monuments (rocks, steel rods, concrete, granite etc.) and which type will be required. Rick Davies suggested adding (or reinforced concrete) to sentence: Such bounds to be stone (or reinforced concrete) 4’ x 4’ x 36’ long. He also suggested taking out iron pipes since they decay from two sides. Rick Davies wanted to add: Other proposed monuments may be considered and accepted by the Planning Board when conditions warrant. Monuments shall be installed before the final plat is signed by the Planning Board.  The Board agreed to the changes.  

Ed Mical suggested adding a new sentence stating: Concrete monuments shall be reinforced with steel rods. A plus, brass plate or pin shall serve as a point of reference and a magnetic rod or other suitable metal device shall be placed adjacent to the monument to allow for recovery. The Board was in agreement.            

C. SUBDIVISION CHECKLIST:  

The Board reviewed the Subdivision checklist. After a lengthy discussion the Board agreed to make the necessary changes for the checklist to coincide with the changes made to the Subdivision Regulations.  

3. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS  

Paul Violette stated all surveys were sent out to local business owners and there have been quite a few responses. The results will be available for the 6pm April 12, 2010 Work Session.  

Paul Violette stated the Town of Warner did not receive the Grant for renovation of the Park and Ride. Barbara Annis stated she will meet with the Selectman to see what direction they would like to go regarding the application for State Highway Aide. The earliest the funds would be available is 2012.    

4. COMMUNICATIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS  

Barbara Annis handed out information to the Board Members on the 17th Annual Spring Planning & Zoning Conference on May 8, 2010 .  

David Hartman congratulated the Board on a successful voting of changes made to the Town of Warner Zoning Ordinance and Building Code.  

A discussion was held regarding the many positive comments from the public in regards to the addition of the “Reasoning” on this year’s Warrant Articles.  

5. PUBLIC COMMENTS  

Barbara Annis opened the meeting for public comments. There were no public comments.  

6. ADJOURN  

A MOTION was made to Adjourn. The Motion was seconded. All were in favor. The meeting adjourned at 9:43 pm