STRATHAM PLANNING BOARD

WORKSHOP

PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES

June 15, 2005

 

Agenda:          The Town of Stratham, Planning Board conducted a Workshop on Wednesday, June 15, 2005, at 7:00 p.m., at the Stratham Town Hall, 10 Bunker Hill Avenue, Stratham, NH to consider the following:

 

                        Other:

1.      Discussion - compliance issues – Trickett Realty (Shell Oil Station) Portsmouth

Avenue.  The board may visit the site as part of the discussion of the project.

2.      Planning Workshop

3.      Other

 

Members Present: Chair Janet Johnson, William Provost, Jeffrey Hyland, Bruno Federico, Mary Jane Werner, Tim Mason, and Town Planner, Charles (Chuck) Grassie.

 

Ms. Werner welcomed two new alternate members to the Planning Board, William Provost and Jeffrey Hyland.

 

Other:

 

Discussion - compliance issues – Trickett Realty (Shell Oil Station) Portsmouth Avenue:  

 

Mr. Grassie indicated that Bob Sidiropoulos, and Anthony Guba from Ayoub Engineering were present to answer any questions the Board members may have regarding this project.  Mr. Grassie gave a brief history of this project and the concerns that bring Mr. Sidiropoulos to the Board tonight.  He noted that the project is nearing completion, and they hope to obtain their Certificate of Occupancy (CO) on July 1, 2005.  Mr. Grassie suggested that the Board do a site walk tonight.  There was a discussion regarding the block wall that was installed instead of the approved stone wall; the landscaping; the boulders around the fire cistern; and the curbing.  Mr. Mason wanted it on record that the approved plan shows no outside displays in front of the building or the dispensers (no ice machine, no propane tanks, etc.).  Ms. Johnson stated that one condition of this approval (condition #4) is that a note be added to the plan that restricts the outdoor sale of goods.  There was additional discussion on the wall, and the landscaping. 

 

The Board recessed at 7:32 p.m. for a site walk of the Shell gas station site.  They reconvened at 8:08 p.m.  There were additional discussions on: the landscaping, and using gravel instead of paving in the rear of the building.  Mr. Grassie went over the items that need to be addressed by Mr. Sidiropoulos before he can get his CO.  They are: the landscaping must be put in according to the recommendation of Dave Short from Stratham Circle Nursery and Mr. Grassie; a vinyl fence must be installed to screen the utility structures in the rear of the building; the ends of the existing block wall will be softened by planting or grading; the islands and curbing shown on the plan will be built;  the end curbing will be concrete instead of plantings.  Mr. Federico was concerned about the height of the sign in relation to the cable & telephone wires on the utility pole.  He was told that the cable and telephone wires will be moved higher.  Ms. Werner made a motion to authorize Mr. Grassie, working with Dave Short from Stratham Circle Nursery on landscaping, to supervise the changes approved by the Board.  Ms. Johnson asked Ms. Werner to act as a voting member this evening.  Mr. Federico seconded Ms. Werner’s motion, which passed unanimously.

 

Planning Board Workshop.

 

Mr. Grassie said he had been approached last week by the developer of 76 Portsmouth Avenue, Tim Mason and Attorney Robert Ducharme, part owner of Stratham Plaza about connecting Stratham Plaza and 76 Portsmouth Avenue together.  Mr. Mason had indicated that he was also willing to cut in a road from 76 Portsmouth Avenue to the Municipal Center parking lot.  Mr. Ducharme was said he is also willing to also connect to 70 Portsmouth Avenue on the on the other side of Stratham Plaza.  Town Administrator Paul Deschaine has indicated that he would like to see additional parking at the Municipal Center, if the road is put in.  There was a discussion on the connections, and how it could affect traffic on those connecting roadways.

 

Mr. Mason mentioned that the Board had previously discussed the possibility of a connection from River Road to the new Shaw’s Plaza.  He said that Fish & Game was in the process of buying that large parcel.  He felt that was still a good idea, if could be done.  There were discussions about pursuing that possible connection between River Road and the new Shaw’s Plaza; if there are any plans for the remaining land at the new Shaw’s Plaza; and whether or not to cancel the July 6, 2005 Planning Board meeting.  Mr. Grassie stated that, as tonight, he had no applications for that meeting.  Mr. Mason made a motion to cancel the July 6, 2005 Planning Board meeting.  Ms. Werner seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Mason made a motion to adjourn at 8:40 p.m.  Mr. Federico seconded the motion, which carried. 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Linda A. Beaudoin

Secretary Stratham Planning Board