June 1, 2005

Agenda: The Town of Stratham, Planning Board conducted a Workshop on Wednesday, June 1, 2005, at 7:00 p.m., at the Stratham Town Hall, 10 Bunker Hill Avenue, Stratham, NH to consider the following:

Approval of Minutes: May 18, 2005

Other:

1. Nomination: Rockingham Planning Commission Members (2 members)

2. Planning Workshop

3. Other

Members Present: Chair Janet Johnson, Frank Catapano, Mary Jane Werner, and Town Planner, Charles (Chuck) Grassie. Bruno Federico arrived late.

Ms. Johnson asked Ms. Werner to act as a voting member for this evening. Ms. Johnson noted that the May 18, 2005 minutes needed to be approved. Mr. Catapano made a motion to approve the May 18, 2005 minutes as written. Ms. Werner seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Other:

Mr. Grassie noted that the Board still needs to appoint 2 members to the Rockingham Planning Commission. He stated that Martin Wool and Robert Goodrich were the only people to express an interest in serving as representative to the Rockingham Planning Commission. Mr. Grassie gave a short description of the applicants qualifications. Mr. Catapano made a motion to nominate Martin Wool and Robert Goodrich as representatives to the Rockingham Planning Commission. Ms. Werner seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The names of both nominees will go to the Board of Selectmen for appointment to the Rockingham Planning Commission.

Planning Board Workshop.

Mr. Grassie distributed copies of Stratham’s population history and population trends, which he went into in detail. There was a general discussion regarding the growth rate.

Ms. Johnson mentioned that the Board needs to discuss various issues, including the Shell Gas Station. There were discussions on: the possibility of increasing commercial space in Stratham; the possibility of the Town purchasing the Voc Tech building when the State moves out, and possible uses for the property; and the status of the Public Safety Complex. Mr. Grassie asked if the Board wanted to postpone discussing the Shell Gas Station issues until more Board members are present. Ms. Johnson asked Mr. Grassie to give a brief overview of the issues related to the Shell Gas Station. Mr. Grassie distributed copies of the site plan for the Shell Gas Station. He indicated that he had done research on the correspondence between the owner of the Shell Gas Station, Bob Sidiropoulos, and the previous planner regarding the landscaping plan. Mr. Grassie stated that he only found one letter dated July 16, 2003. The letter indicated that the planner had no problem with the proposed changes, including changing the stone wall to a block wall, but would bring them before the Planning Board for the Board’s opinion. One week after that letter was sent, the planner was no longer employed by the Town, and the proposed changes never went before the Board. Mr. Sidiropoulos assumed he had approval and made the changes to the wall and the landscaping. Mr. Grassie explained the changes to the landscaping. He said that the changes actually make the site look better. There were other items of concern, which were: the figures on the front of the building; color band on the canopy; the location of the dumpster; the riprap on the edge of the swale and drainage; the fire cistern; and the connection between this site and the Munroe Muffler site. There were discussions on these issues. It was decided that the Board would go on a site walk at the next meeting.

Ms. Werner made a motion to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. Mr. Catapano seconded the motion, which carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda A. Beaudoin

Secretary Stratham Planning Board