PLANNING BOARD

Walpole, NH  03608

 

MINUTES:    Regular Meeting - Tuesday Sept. 8, 2009 at 7:00 pm - Town Hall Basement

 

Presiding:  Jeff Miller, Ch.

Members Present:  Bob Miller, V-Ch., Eric Merklein, Ben Daviss, Dave DeCoste, Henry Fletcher, Jeff White, alt., Donn Lounsbury, alt.  Absent:  Sheldon Sawyer, Select.

Recording:  Pamela Aslinger, Sec./alt.

These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the October 13, 2009 meeting for errors, corrections and omissions.  There were 7 persons in the audience.

 

I.             Meeting opened at 7:05pm

                A.  Roll call, all regular members were present, no alternates were designated.

B.  A motion to approve the minutes with two corrections was made and seconded, vote was called, all were in favor the motion carried.

 

II.            New Business

                A.  Primax Properties, LLC - Tractor Supply Co. Mr. Frank Alexander, project director and Mr. Dave Bergeron of Brickstone Masons, Inc. were present to submit an application for a 2 lot subdivision and site plan review.

                Mr. Daviss mentioned that Mr. Bergeron is on the board of directors for Monadnock Family Services, his employer but does not feel he needs to recuse himself from review of the application unless members of the planning board choose otherwise.  Ch. Miller hearing no objections, so noted that Mr. Daviss should remain seated on the board for the duration of Primax Properties application proceedings. 

                Mr. Bergeron presented the board with an application for a 2 lot subdivision located on Rte. 12 N Map 12 Lot 13 in the Commercial zone owned by 504 Main St./Fred Dill.  The subdivision results in Lot 1 of 11.49 acres to be retained by Mr. Dill and Lot 2 of 4.92 acres to be purchased by Primax Properties, LLC.  Lot 2 will be granted a 50 ft. ROW over Lot 1 to be used as a common driveway access but owned by Mr. Dill.  Both lots meet frontage, lot size and setbacks for the zone.  Fees, maps and abutter list were submitted as well as a letter of authorization from Mr. Dill allowing Primax Properties to present the application.

                Mr. Bergeron presented the board with a preliminary site plan review application for Tractor Supply Co.  a 19,000 sq. ft. retail store to be located on Lot 2 of the previous subdivision Map 12, Lot 13.  He went over the site plan review checklist item by item noting two requests for waivers related to parking lot landscaping and overall landscaping design.  He stated that the state driveway permit, alteration of terrain permit, excavation permit, EPA permit, final stormwater management and erosion control plan, reports from Town fire, police, conservation commission, approval for water/sewer connection, sign permit, and a demolition permit for the old barn were pending.  Some of the permits were not yet filed and until they are returned with recommendations some aspects of the preliminary plans may be changed. 

                As Mr. Bergeron described the checklist requirements he gave a brief overview of where the information is shown on the plans and layouts.   The following items were discussed in greater detail:  Waiver request to reduce the number of islands in the parking lot to allow for easier plowing plus by increasing the size of the islands they create a larger growing area for the trees.  A second waiver request for general landscaping that consolidates groupings to allow for better visibility. In both instances the number of plantings as required is maintained.  They are considering porous pavement in the parking areas that also would benefit plantings.  Electrical service will be buried, lighting will be building mounted and downcast with only security lighting left on overnight.  The parking are lighting will be on approximately one hour before 8 am opening and 1 hour after 8 pm closing.  Mr. Alexander will verify hours of operation.  A fire hydrant will be installed on site.  Soils are shown but there are no wetlands according to Chris Danforth, wetlands specialist via a letter.  They are not within the 100 year flood hazard areas.  Mr. Alexander supplied a sample chip of  a light grey paint as an alternative to the standard white.  He asked the board for feedback on adding a contrasting color besides the trademark red accent color.  The front will

 

Walpole Planning Board Meeting Minutes 9/08/09 page 2

have clapboard siding with a base of block stone for safety.  There are corrugated metal awnings over the windows and a standing seam roof with a barn like entranceway with decorative lighting.

                Mr. Bergeron said they have included a traffic impact study that was prepared for their application to DOT and a lighting fixture detail.

                Members commented on the types of landscaping materials, fewer islands, buried utilities, lighting hours and hours of operation.  The three 1000 gallon fuel tanks will not be buried.  Traffic per weekday peak hours will be approximately 22 entering from the north, 24 exiting from the south.  Saturday mid day peak will be 50 from the north, 50 exiting from the south.  Level of service was determined at A and B, both being in the higher range of adequacy, no turning lane is being recommended based on the level of service and numbers.  Tractor Supply does not sell bulk toxins in large quantities, there will not be any repair services and they do not sell tractors.  Members suggested contrasting paint on the building and using white on the clapboards.  Ch. Miller is concerned about safety despite the traffic study not indicating the need for a turn off lane. 

                Mr. Alexander asked how to proceed on the site plan application.   Sec. Aslinger suggested they submit their site plan application at the October meeting to allow for their major permits to be further along.  Substantial changes to the plans as a result of the permits could delay the application and cause a second public hearing and extensions.   Because the subdivision application is complete it can be scheduled for the October 13th meeting along with the public hearing.  Once the subdivision is acted upon it would be in order to process the site plan application at the November 10th meeting and hold the public hearing, the permits would be further along allowing any resulting changes to be made to the final plans.  The board agreed.  Ch. Miller called for a motion to place the subdivision on the agenda for the October 13th meeting along with the public hearing, so moved, vote called, motion carried unanimously.

                Mr. Alexander and Mr. Bergeron agreed to submit the site plan application at the October meeting.  They will be applying for the State permits in the next week and meeting with the Town officials in regard to the water and sewer hook ups. 

 

III.          Planning Discussion

A.  Master Plan – Ch. Miller signed the SWRPC contract to complete the land use section.  Mr. Daviss said he was able to recruit Steve DeLessio from the Walpole Leadership Academy to help on the economic development plan study committee.  He suggests public discussions be held on the 4th Tuesday of the month to go over the economic needs of the town.  Ch. Miller agreed to schedule the meetings, Mr. Daviss will do the recording and Sec. Aslinger will post an ongoing notice.  The first meeting will be held on Sept. 22, 2009 at 7pm in the Town Hall basement office Mr. Daviss will forward related information to the committee. 

 

IV.          Communications and Miscellaneous

A.  Annual Fall Planning and Zoning Conference info was relayed to members

                B.  Planning board copier  - Ch. Miller thought it was unlikely the BOS would authorize a purchase but agreed to submit a request.

                C.  Other – Mr. Daviss said SWRPC is going to try to put the Vilas Bridge back on its 2010 transportation plan instead of waiting until 2015.  They are seeking a support contingency at a meeting to be held on Sept. 30th in Keene at 6:30pm at the Keene Parks Recreation building sponsored by the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Intra motor Transportation.  Ch. Miller will speak to our state reps about introducing a bill to push the project along.

 

V.            Meeting Adjourned 8:20pm

                Work session to be held Sept. 22, 2009, pm, Town Hall 7pm

                Next regular meeting to be held October 13, 2009, 7pm Town Hall

 

cc:  PB, ZBA, WCC, Town Offices

posted:  9/10/09  Town Hall, Lobby, Burdick’s Mkt., www.walpolean.com