STRATHAM PLANNING BOARD
WORKSHOP
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Agenda: The
Town of Stratham, Planning Board conduc
1. Planning Board Workshop on
The Planning
Board has invi
2. Review and discussion of the Community
Build-Out Maps prepared by the Rockingham Planning Commission.
The following
boards have been invi
Board of
Selectmen
Zoning Board
of Adjustment
Public Works
Commission
Conservation
Commission
Ad-Hoc
Conservation Bond Sub-Committee
Recreation
Commission
Stevens Park
Master Plan Committee
Members Present: Chair Janet Johnson, Timothy
Mason, Kirk Scamman, Frank Catapano,
Planning Board Workshop on Community Land Use Issues.
Mr. Grassie stated that this was a joint meeting of all the Boards, Commissions and Committees for an informal discussion on community land use issues. He indicated that he had maps on the board that were done by the Rockingham Planning Commission on the Build Out Analysis they had completed. Mr. Grassie also had maps he had worked on. He said that this joint meeting was being held to get feedback from the various Boards, Commissions and Committees on their views on what is going on in Town, their concerns, difficulties with Zoning Ordinances, etc. Ms. Johnson thanked everyone for attending tonight. She said she would like to see a joint meeting of all the heads or representatives of the Boards, Commissions and Committees once or twice a year. Ms. Johnson noted that some of the matters that the Planning Board has been working on, through subcommittees, are: updating the Master Plan, expanding the Commercial Zone, affordable elderly and workforce housing, sewer and water, and the future development of the Portsmouth Avenue connector roads. She stated that while working on the various matters, it became apparent that other Boards, Commissions and Committees may have more information or know more about a particular subject. She suggested that one way for everyone to be kept up to date on what is going on in town might be to have the minutes e-mailed to each other. Town Administrator Paul Deschaine suggested that every Board, Commission and Committee introduce themselves for the record. Present were: Lissa Ham, George Miller, and David Sallet from the Public Works Commission; Nathan Merrill from the Ad Hoc Conservation Bond Subcommittee; Pat Elwell, Gordon Barker, and Brad Jones, from the Conservation Commission; Craig Wark, Chairman of the Library Trustees; Caren Gallagher from the Recreation Commission and Stevens Park Master Plan Committee; and Barbara Mann from the Stratham Historical Society.
Mr. Miller noted that the Public Works Commission is working on public water and sewer. He felt that the Public Works Commission and the Planning Board should work together on these issues. Ms. Johnson asked the attendees if they would be willing to forward their recommendations on various chapters in the Master Plan that apply to them. There were discussions on: the Aquarian Water Works well; the aquifers in Stratham; the Master Plan; the need to expand the Library space and possible ways to achieve the extra space; having a space needs study done of the Municipal Center once the Public Safety Complex is built and the Police Department moves out; problems with communications between the various Boards, Commissions and Committees; how properties are evaluated for conservation easements; the possibility of incorporating future “right of first refusal” on water rights on properties put into conservation easements; the possibility of expanding the Commercial Zone; obtaining input from the public on the Master Plan and possible changes to the Master Plan; possible ways of improving communications between the Planning Board, Ad Hoc Conservation Bond Committee, and Conservation Commission; the Recreation Commission’s & Stevens Property Committee’s proposed plans for the Stevens property; the possibility of creating a part-time or full-time recreation position; and the Public Safety Complex. Marty Wool gave a brief update on the Public Safety Complex. He indicated that no forward progress was made at the last meeting. He said they are working on reducing the size of the proposed building for the Winnicutt Road site. There was additional discussion on: the Public Safety Complex; and getting input from the various Boards, Commissions and Committees for updating the Master Plan and the other issues brought up tonight.
Mr. Grassie went over the
Build-Out Analysis Maps received from the Rockingham Planning Commission,
farmland map and fire cistern map. There
was a brief discussion on those maps, and a survey of the wells that was done
by the University of New Hampshire.
Mr. Mason made a motion to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Mr. Catapano seconded the motion, which carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Beaudoin
Secretary Stratham Planning Board