STRATHAM PLANNING BOARD
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Agenda: The
Town of Stratham, Planning Board conducted a Public Hearing on
To amend the Official
Zoning Map of the Town of
Expansion of Retirement Planned Community
Zone
To amend the Official Zoning Map of
the Town of
Members Present: Chair Janet Johnson; Joe Russell, Jeffrey Hyland, Gordon Barker, Martin Wool, Bruno Federico, Mary Jane Werner, and Charles (Chuck) Grassie, Town Planner.
Ms. Johnson noted that the
Mr. Grassie noted that he had made one change from the last meeting, per the Board’s request. The amount of product sale that must be produced on the farm went from at least 35% to at least 50%. He said that this amendment was just the definition of farming. There were a great deal of discussions on: the 35% minimum vs. 50% minimum; and whether or not this will help create more farms. Mr. Federico asked if the percentage only applied to farm stands. He was told yes. There was further discussion on: whether or not farmers who lose their crop one year and sell purchased produce would be in violation of this amendment; some sections of the Zoning Ordinance that may be affected by the proposed changes to the farming definition; if the 50% minimum applies to farms or farm stands; types of farming operations that would be covered under this amendment; the differences between the current definition and the new definition; the State regulations on farming; and if leased land that is being farmed would be considered as meeting the 50% minimum. Mr. Federico made a motion to table this proposed amendment on the Definition of Agriculture, Farm, Farming for further consideration in 2007 for the 2008 ballot. Mr. Wool seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. They will also work on an amendment to the Ordinance itself.
Historic Review for Demolition: To
add a new Section 16.5 Historic Demolition Delay To require that prior
to any demolition of any home, barn or other structure, which is assumed to be
over 50 years in age, be reviewed by the Heritage Commission prior to any
issuance of a permit to demolish such structure. The new section would provide for an
expedited review with an extended review period for structures within the town,
which were found to be historic, or of significant importance to the heritage
of the community:
Mr. Grassie noted that there had
been a number of enforcement provisions, which put some teeth into the proposed
ordinance. As requested, he removed
those provisions. The proposed ordinance
now only sets up a procedure where the Heritage Commission will have an
opportunity to talk to property owners and to look at structures prior to
demolition occurring. Mr. Grassie stated
that he received a letter from the Town’s Attorney, Lynn Morse, which indicates
that the proposed ordinance is reasonable; is not in violation of any State
Ordinances; and is part of the authority of the Heritage Commission to advise
local Boards. The only tooth left in the
ordinance is that the demolition permit could be held up for up to 30 days to
allow the Heritage Commission to contact property owners and/or go out to the
property to take pictures (with permission) if the owners can not be persuaded
to preserve the structure. There was a
discussion on the age of the structures that would be covered under this
proposed ordinance; and the Heritage Commission’s proposed data base of
historic structures. Mr. Barker asked if
there would be a paper trail of Heritage Commission Subcommittee’s
recommendations, and how the Subcommittee would be notified of any demolition
permits. Mr. Grassie said there was no
set procedure for notification of the Subcommittee of demolition permits. Mark Sykas, from the audience, felt that this
ordinance does too little too late.
Rebecca Mitchell from the Heritage Commission said this ordinance is a
type of preservation planning tool. She
spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance.
There was a great deal of additional discussion on the pros and cons of
this proposed ordinance. Mr. Barker, Ms.
Werner, and Ms. Johnson spoke in favor of this ordinance. Town Administrator
Expansion of Industrial Zone To
amend the Official Zoning Map of the Town of Stratham to correctly show the
boundaries of Map 2 Lot 30 and to add Map 2 Lot 26 to the Industrial Zone:
Mr. Grassie gave a brief description
of the proposed changes to the Zoning Map, as discussed at the last
meeting. He said the changes move the
former Breslin property into the Industrial Zone, and take the
Expansion of
Retirement Planned Community Zone To amend the Official Zoning Map of the Town of
Mr. Grassie noted that the map he
had projected on the wall was not completely accurate, because Regional
Planning had not yet returned the data received from Mark Stevens showing his
property. Ms. Werner asked why the owner
does not want to include his property, which borders the Industrial Zone, in
the Industrial Zone considering that the Town is trying to expand the
Industrial Zone. Mr. Federico stated
that it was presented to the Board as a lot that is wet and not suitable for
industrial use, because it lays in the water shed area for the
Other:
Ms. Johnson stated that she would
like to get all the Boards, Committees, and Commissions together again sometime
in March. She would like each Board,
Committee, and Commission to think about what possible zoning changes they might
like to work on for the year.
Mr. Grassie noted that the Board
members had copies of the proposed Zoning Amendments that will be going into
the Town Report. He asked the members to
review the amendments and let him know if there are any typographical errors he
needs to correct. Town Administrator
Ms.
Werner made a motion to adjourn at
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Beaudoin
Secretary Stratham Planning
Board