STRATHAM PLANNING BOARD
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Agenda: The
Town of Stratham, Planning Board conducted a Public Hearing on
Approval of Minutes:
Continuing Business:
Map 2 Lots 27 & 30 – Site Plan Review for the
construction of 145,000 s.f. of new industrial & warehouse space with
related infrastructure, located at
New Business: Public Hearing on 2006 Zoning Questions
To amend section 7.5 Senior Housing to include Workforce Housing.
This amendment would allow workforce
affordable housing by conditional use permit within the
Residential/Agricultural zone and expands both the senior affordable and the
workforce affordable housing into the Manufactured Housing/Mobile Home
zone. The amendment also provides for
reference to the allowed affordability standards, maximum number of bedrooms
per unit and required lot size for a project.
b.
Preliminary Site Plan Review
To add a new section to read as follows:
The Planning Board is authorized to require preliminary site plan review. The site plan review regulations regarding site plan design review and the requirements of such review are to be prepared and adopted by the Planning Board.
c.
Sign Regulations
To amend section 7.2.7 Computation of Area to require site review approval for any waivers to the sign regulations dealing with computation of area.
This amend will require all applicants seeking a waiver to the sign regulation to submit detailed drawings of the proposed signage including framework, bracing, or decoration for review by the board. The Board shall find that the exemption compliments the visual design of the sign and site, and does not impede the safe flow of traffic into or out of the site.
Other:
Zoning
Workshop
Other
Business
Members Present: Chair Janet Johnson, Jeffrey Hyland, Mary Jane Werner, Bruno Federico, Kirk Scamman, Timothy Mason, and Town Planner, Charles (Chuck) Grassie.
Ms. Johnson noted that the
Continuing Business:
Mr. Grassie noted that the representative for Lindt &
Sprungli had submitted a letter requesting a continuance to a date
uncertain. They are not sure when they
will be ready to come back before the Planning Board. They acknowledge that they will need to
re-notify abutters and pay additional fees.
There was a discussion on this request, and the Board’s request to look
into a connection to
New Business: Public Hearing on 2006 Zoning Questions
Mr. Grassie indicated that this amendment would allow
Affordable Workforce Housing by Conditional Use Permit within the
Residential/Agricultural (RA) Zone and expand both the Senior Affordable and
Workforce Affordable Housing in the Manufactured Housing/Mobil Home (MAH)
Zone. It also provides a reference on
affordability standards. Mr. Grassie
noted that he had incorporated the Board’s requested changes. Those changes are: provisions to allow for up
to 20% of the units to be sold at Market Rate; to require a review of the
landscaping and architecture; and required lot size for a project. He stated that the Affordable Workforce
Housing was the same as the Senior Housing with a few changes. He went on to explain the proposed amendment
in more detail. Brian Wyatt, Executive
Director of the Housing Partnership in
Preliminary Site Plan Review:
Mr. Grassie noted that the State law changed last year to
allow for a Preliminary Subdivision Review.
This
Sign
Regulations:
Mr. Grassie noted that this ordinance is to amend Section 7.2.2 – Sign Permits and 7.2.7 – Computation of Area for new signs. He read sections of the proposed amendments aloud. The Planning Board can grant a waiver for anything in excess of the 25% exemption for supporting framework of the total calculated area. Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer Terry Barnes was present to speak about this amendment. Mr. Barnes said he feels that he and the Planning Board should have a chance to see any proposed signage before any plans are signed. He suggested that the 25% exemption for framework be changed to 35%. He was not sure about the Board being able to grant a waiver for the supporting structure. There was a great deal of discussion on changing the percentage of exemption for framework. The Board was in favor of increasing the framework exemption to 35% and keeping the authority to grant a waiver. Mr. Grassie will make the changes for the next meeting.
Other: Zoning Workshop:
Mr. Grassie noted that Mr.
Barnes had recommended the Board discuss the regulation on Accessory
Apartments. Mr. Grassie indicated that
the differences between the current and old regulations on
Accessory Apartments was that the old regulation required a deed
restriction and the current one does not.
He asked the Board if they wished to reinstate the deed
restriction. There were discussions on:
problems with making sure that it stays an accessory apartment for a relative
only; and whether or not to keep in the deed restriction. Lucy Cushman from the audience stated that
she is a title searcher. She noted that
some towns require that all Board of Adjustment decisions be recorded at the
Registry of Deeds. A permanent record is
attached to each property’s Title, so when a property is being sold everyone is
made aware of any restrictions. The
Board thought Ms. Cushman had made a very good suggestion. Mr. Grassie will forward the Planning Board’s
recommendation to have all Board of Adjustment decisions recorded at the
Registry of Deeds, by the applicants, to the Board of Adjustment.
Mr. Grassie distributed copies
of a draft of the proposed Professional Office Zone which would be located
along Route 33/Portsmouth Avenue. He
went over the proposed Professional Office Zone in detail. He stated that there were no commercial uses
allowed in this zone. There were
discussions on: setbacks; having something in the ordinance that prevents or
places restrictions on removing old structures without review and approval;
height restrictions; controlling the parking; and uses that would be
allowed. Several members of the audience
strongly objected to the proposed Professional Office Zone.
There was a discussion about how
a zoning change to Professional Office could affect the land and buildings
presently owned by the NH Technical College, if it is sold by the State. Mr. Scamman suggested possibly changing the
zoning for that property only. Mr.
Grassie was instructed to do additional work on the proposed Professional
Office Zone Ordinance.
Mr. Grassie had handed out
copies to the Board members of a proposed Stratham Fire Suppression District on
Route 108 for discussion at the next meeting.
Building Inspector Terry Barnes
stated that when he does his Certificate of Occupancies for new homes, there is
a spot where he identifies what type of house has been built. The Zoning Ordinance only has definitions for
a single family and a duplex. He asked
the Board if they could give him a definition of a triplex and also a quad. Mr. Grassie will work on those definitions.
Mr. Mason noted that he will be away for a few months, and wanted to make
sure that the Board knew his position on a connector road to the proposed
Police Department building. He stated
that the Board has been working for years to try to get connector roads
parallel to
Mr. Mason made a motion to adjourn at
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Beaudoin
Secretary Stratham Planning Board