January 11, 2005

Present: J. Miller, W. Aldrich, S. Cashel, B. Miller, E. Merklein, H. Fletcher

Absent: D. Edkins, P. Aslinger (alt), A. Henkel (alt)

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING MINUTES WILL BE REVIEWED ON FEB 8, 2005.

All notices were posted and abutters notified for all hearings.

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.

HEARING #1- ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT. The board presented the proposed amendment to Article VI section B, the commercial zone’s multi-family structure density by: . Deleting paragraph two in its entirety and inserting in its place the following: 2. Lodging houses, hotels, inns, motels, tourist courts and cabins, including such retail businesses within these permitted buildings as is conducted for the convenience of the residents or guests thereof. And to add a new paragraph three and to re-number subsequent paragraphs accordingly: 3. Multi-family residential structures at a density not exceeding 2 residential units per 25,000 sq ft of lot area. No multi-family residential structure shall exceed 3 stories of 40 feet in height, excluding chimneys, cupolas, antennas or similar non-habitable appendages. Mr. J. Miller said the proposed change puts the ordinance more in line with the current standard where single family homes exist. He said without the amendment there could be large apartment houses

The hearing was closed at 7:36 PM.

REGULAR MEETING. MINUTES DECEMBER 14, 2004. Mr. B. Miller made a motion seconded by Mrs. Cashel that the minutes be approved as presented. All were in favor.

NEW BUSINESS. US GEN NEW ENGLAND SUBDIVISION ROUTE 12-Killeen Street. Mr. Ken Alton, representing US Gen, is proposing the subdivision of a 1-acre lot from a 13-acre lot on Killeen Street, across from Center Street, Map 26 lot 1. He said the Town of Rockingham is buying the Bellows Falls dam and the accompanying property. He continued to say that US Gen’s maintenance operations for their CT River and Deerfield River systems are done through the building housed on the one acre. The lot has 200’ of frontage in the commercial zone

MOTION. Mrs. Cashel made a motion seconded by Mr. B. Miller that the application be accepted and a hearing set for the February meeting. All were in favor.

ZONING AMENDMENT PROPOSAL. Mr. Tucker Burr and John Hansel brought for discussion their plan to propose by petition a limit for new retail building be limited to 20,000 sq ft. There was discussion about commercial property for sale along Route 12 and the existing shopping plaza. The existing stores in the plaza area range in size from 10,000 to just over 20,000 (Shaws), with most being around 12,000 sq ft in size. The Master Plan encourages the management of the type and intensity of commercial growth and the support of agriculture. There was some discussion about the traffic pressure being felt in Keene. Mr. J. Miller suggested that the largest of the existing retail buildings be used as the max size of future development so that the property stays in conformity with the ordinance. Mr. J. Miller said the board needs to look at the traffic safety at the plaza and its entrance. He said he believes that the growth in the population will have a greater impact on the town than the commercial growth. It is too late to petition to be on the warrant for

Minutes- January 11, 2005- Page Two

this year’s town meeting. There was discussion about a special town meeting and having a motion at the end of town meeting.

OLD BUSINESS. PROPOSED ZONING AMENDMENT. Mr. B. Miller made a motion seconded by Mrs. Cashel that the amendment be placed on the warrant. All were in favor.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. Mr. J. Miller said the board budget is includes money to have SWRPC work on this plan. Volunteer help in collecting data will help to keep the cost down.

ADJOURNMENT. Mr. J. Miller adjourned the meeting at 8:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Trow, secretary