April 6, 2005

Agenda: The Town of Stratham, Planning Board conducted a Public Hearing on Wednesday, March 16, 2005, at 7:00 p.m., at the Stratham Town Hall, 10 Bunker Hill Avenue, Stratham, NH to consider the following:

Approval of Minutes: March 2, 2005, and March 16, 2005

New Business: Election of Officers

Other:

1. Preliminary Consultation with the board from Scott Cornell

2. Planning Issues Workshop

3. Any other issues that may come before the board.

Members Present: Acting Chairman Janet Johnson, Frank Catapano, Kirk Scamman, Mary Jane Werner, Bruno Federico and Town Planner, Charles (Chuck) Grassie. Timothy Mason arrived late to the meeting.

Mr. Grassie noted that the minutes from March 2, and March 16, 2005 needed to be approved. Mr. Catapano made a motion to approve the minutes from March 2, and March 16, 2005 as written. Mr. Federico seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Other:

Preliminary Consultation with the Board from Scott Cornell:

Mr. Grassie stated that Scott Cornell has an odd shaped lot that he would like to subdivide into two or three lots. Mr. Cornell would like to put in a dirt road instead of a paved road with two lots in the back. He was looking for some input from the Board on the possibility of the Board approving a subdivision with a dirt road. Scott Cornell was present representing himself. Mr. Cornell put a plan up on the board for everyone to view. He noted that he has approximately 11.5 acres at 61 Union Road. He said he would like to put another one or two homes on the property, but does not have enough frontage to be able to just subdivide the property. He would like to build a private dirt road and subdivide the property. He has 205 feet of frontage, which is enough to put in a 50 foot right-of-way.

Ms. Werner asked if he had a plan showing the possible location of the proposed houses on the proposed lots. Mr. Cornell doesn’t have anything drawn out, because he wanted to make sure the subdivision was feasible first. Mr. Scamman asked if this property was part of the Batchelder farm. He was told yes. Mr. Scamman cautioned Mr. Cornell to look closely at the plans for the original subdivision. There was a discussion on whether or not the Board might approve a subdivision with a private dirt road; whether or not to have a dirt road or shared dirt driveway; the location of the proposed dirt road/driveway; the frontage requirements for the lots; the number of proposed houses/lots; conditions that might be put on any approval; the possibility of going to the Board of Adjustment for a variance for the frontage. The Board members felt that the best course of action for Mr. Cornell would be to go to the Board of Adjustment for a variance from the frontage. If he does not get his variance, the Board would be open to the possibility of approving one house lot with a dirt road or two house lots with a paved road.

Planning Issues Workshop:

Mr. Grassie put a tax map and a road map up on the board. Mr. Grassie noted that the land behind Shaw’s is being put into conservation and the Town will lose any access to put a connector road between River Road, through back land, to Shaw’s. There were lengthy discussions regarding: possible connector roads between various roads in town, the possible future realignment of River Road and Frying Pan Lane, the possibility of setting up a new Town Center; the problems with various roads that come out onto Portsmouth Avenue; and elderly housing. Mr. Mason arrived at the meeting.

New Business:

Election of Officers:

Mr. Mason assumed the Acting Chairman position. He thanked Ken Cornwell for his contributions to the Planning Board as a voting member and as Chairman. Mr. Mason informed the public about the appointments by the Board of Selectmen. Bruno Federico and Frank Catapano were moved up to voting members. Mr. Mason was reappointed as a voting member. He indicated that the Planning Board is looking for alternate members.

Mr. Mason said he believes that even alternates can vote on nominations for Chair and Vice Chair. He asked for nominations. Mr. Catapano nominated Janet Johnson as Chair. Mr. Scamman seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Mr. Scamman nominated Frank Catapano as Vice Chair. Ms. Johnson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Mr. Mason turned the meeting back over to Ms. Johnson.

Other - continued:

Mr. Grassie informed the Board members that he had the new State RSA books, which he distributed to the members. He also distributed copies of the new Zoning Ordinance. He stated that he was still working on the new Site Plan Review and Subdivision Regulations. Mr. Grassie indicated that the State Planning Conference was this weekend in Manchester, NH. He said he was the lecturer for the first session of Track 4.

Mr. Mason noted that there has been a lot of talk about the proposed Public Safety Complex, and suggested that Board members might want to attend the public meetings to give their input. There was a brief discussion on the proposed Public Safety Complex. Mr. Catapano stated that he was now on the Public Safety Complex Committee, and informed the Board that the next Public Safety Complex Committee meeting is next Monday at 5:30 p.m. He said they will be meeting at the Fire House for approximately ½ hour to look at the building. They will then be coming back to the Municipal Center for their meeting at approximately 6:00 p.m. Mr. Catapano said he would like the Committee to come in to the Planning Board periodically to keep the Board up to date on its progress.

Mr. Mason commented that it was his impression that the dumpsters at the new Shaws would be screened or hidden so they can’t be seen from Route 101. He said nothing has been done, to date. He suggested that maybe the Board members should visit the site of a project when it is nearing completion to make sure the project is being built as the Board approved it. There was a brief discussion on this issue.

Ms. Johnson asked the Board members to think of some items to discuss at the next meeting that they would like to see the Board accomplish in the coming year. Mr. Mason said the Board might want to take a more active role in the Capital Improvements Budget process. There was a brief discussion on Mr. Mason’s suggestion.

Mr. Mason made a motion to adjourn at 8:27 p.m. Mr. Catapano seconded the motion, which carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda A. Beaudoin

Secretary Stratham Planning Board