TOWN OF WALPOLE, NH 03608

 

PLANNING BOARD MEETING

JANUARY 10, 2006

7:30 PM - Town Hall

 

Unapproved Minutes

 

Members Present:  Jeff Miller – Chair; David Edkins – Vice-Chair; David DeCoste, Henry 

Fletcher, Eric Merklein, Robert Miller, Sheldon Sawyer; Ray Boas, Alternate

 

These minutes will be reviewed at the February 14, 2006 meeting.

 

All notices were posted and abutters and public notified for all hearings.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Jeff Miller.

 

The roll call was taken and a full Board was present.  Therefore, the Alternates will not be called upon to sit as regular members.  (Fred Dill, Alternate, was absent).

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS ON PROPOSED ZONING AMENDMENTS 2006:

Jeff Miller advised that the Planning Board had scheduled three Public Hearings for Zoning Amendments at this meeting.  It was recently brought to his attention that the three proposed Amendments were not properly posted for a Public Hearing as one did not make the classified notice and the other two never appeared in the newspaper so the Public Hearing cannot be heard until it is properly posted.  In discussing this, they noted that there was sufficient time to reschedule the Public Hearings, therefore, the proposed Amendments were re-submitted to the newspaper for publishing and they will be duly posted.  The meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 24th, 2006, at 7:30 P.M. in the Town Hall.

  

OPEN PUBLIC HEARINGS / REVIEW APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED: 

R.J. Johnson, Inc., Alan Johnson:   Alan Johnson displayed the proposed plan and advised that they are proposing a two (2) lot subdivision located on Homestead Avenue and Main Street.  This is a Commercial Zone, Map 23, Lot 3.  The purpose is to create one lot of .59 acres at the end of Homestead Lane.  They have no plans, at the moment, to sell this lot but would like to subdivide it.  It meets all of the requirements.  There were no public comments or questions. 

Jeff Miller closed the Public Hearing.at 7:40 pm.

 

Michael and Katherine Nerrie:  Michael Nerrie explained the proposed plan that is for a Lot Line Adjustment on March Hill Road in a Rural Agricultural Zone, Map 22, Lot 59.  The purpose is to have boundary lines follow the existing and newly created stone walls between their neighbors, Dale and Joy Fernandes, Map 11, Lots 55 and 56.  Mr. Nerrie owns the lot in front of 1.3 acres up to an existing wall that will be transferred to Mr. Fernandes.  Mr. Fernandes owns a 7 acre lot that will be transferred to Mr. Nerrie. There were no public comments or questions.

Jeff Miller closed the Public Hearing at 7:45 pm.

 

Scott and Lynn Smith:  Mr. Smith displayed the proposed plan and advised that this application is for a two (2) Lot Subdivision located on County Road in a Rural Agricultural Zone, Map 3, Lot 14.  This will result in one lot of 2.5 acres and a second lot of 2.3 acres.  State subdivision approval was granted and the driveway easement is noted.  The one driveway will serve both lots.  There were no public comments or questions.  

Jeff Miller closed the Public Hearing at 7:50 pm.

Planning Board Meeting – January 10, 2006 – Page 2

 

 

Jeff Miller re-opened the regular meeting to order at 7:52 pm.

 

MINUTES – DECEMBER 13, 2005, MEETING:   Henry Fletcher moved to approve the Minutes of the Planning Board meeting of December 13, 2005, as printed.  Sheldon Sawyer seconded the motion and, with all in favor, the motion carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Walpole Tomorrow:  John Hansel, speaking for the Walpole Tomorrow group present, was sorry that the Public Hearing was cancelled.  He had a copy of the email from Pam Aslinger that it was to be published.  Jeff Miller said he was as flabbergasted as Mr. Hansel with this delay and he sincerely apologized for this inconvenience but hoped it would proceed in a legal manner.  Mr. Hansel said they have an enthusiastic group present at this meeting and asked that they be heard tonight since they might all be able to attend another meeting.  Jeff Miller felt that the discussion should be postponed until the formal Public Hearing.  Bob Waters noted that not everybody at this meeting is here for the proposed Amendments.

 

Berkshire Development / Walpole Properties LLC:  Attorney Thomas Hanna, representing Berkshire Development, was present.  On December 27th they submitted an application with plans; they are here tonight to make a brief presentation and to request a Public Hearing in February.  Tim Traynor, Vice-President of Berkshire Development, presented sketches of their plans and felt that the pictures are self-explanatory.  They are proposing Buildings / Addition / Expansion area square feet of 70,087 including common halls and loading areas in the present ball field.  The proposal is for two buildings with several retail establishments and associated parking and driveways.  It would provide a grocery store of about 39,000 square feet and some ancillary buildings that will be divided with a fire wall and operated as separate businesses, this might include a restaurant.  As a part of the application they have begun the process of working with the Department of Transportation (DOT) who is reviewing their plans.  The plans were not formally approved by the State but Berkshire is starting out with their advice and suggestions.  There will be a new access from Route 12 but they hope to find a way to join the two plazas so people would not have to exit from one to go to the other.  Barbara O’Connor asked if they are contemplating access from the Upper Walpole Road.  Tim Traynor said the entrance will be from the front and the rear entrance will be for deliveries.  She asked if there will be a traffic light?  Tim Traynor responded that there might be a light but the State has certain criteria that they will abide with.  Attorney Thomas Hanna acknowledged that if the proposed Zoning Amendments are adopted by the voters that this project would be subject to those Amendments.  After additional questions, Dave Edkins advised that the discussion was getting to the point where it was not appropriate as the Planning Board had not accepted the application as complete.           

 

Action on Proposed Zoning Amendments 2006:  Jeff Miller advised that the Walpole Tomorrow Amendments will appear on the voting ballot but at the end of the Public Hearing the Planning Board will comment as to whether they will approve or not approve the Articles.

 

Action on Applications Submitted:

R.J. Johnson, Inc.:  Sheldon Sawyer moved to approve the Two Lot Subdivision application on Homestead Avenue and Main Street as submitted by R.N. Johnson, Inc.  Henry Fletcher seconded the motion.  With all in favor, the motion carried.

 

 

 

Planning Board Meeting – January 10, 2006 – Page 3

 

 

Michael and Katherine Nerrie:  Sheldon Sawyer moved to approve the Lot Line Adjustment application as submitted by Michael and Katherine Nerrie on March Hill Road .  Eric Merklein seconded the motion.  With all in favor, the motion carried.

 

Scott and Lynn Smith:  Sheldon Sawyer moved to approve the Two (2) Lot Subdivision application as submitted by Scott and Lynn Smith on County Road.  Eric Merklein seconded the motion.  With all in favor, the motion carried.

 

Communications and Miscellaneous - Handouts:

Capital Improvements Program 2006-2011 Document:  Copies of the Capital Improvements Program Plan, prepared by the Southwest Region Planning Commission, were distributed.  The Planning Board was asked to review them and a Public Hearing was scheduled for the March meeting. 

 

NHDES Site Specific Permit – Retail/Parking:  Copies of a letter from the DES advising that Walpole LLC submitted an application for a Site Specific Permit was distributed.

 

Office of Energy & Planning Spring Workshop:  The OEP will be holding their 13th Annual Spring Planning & Zoning Conference at The Center of NH, Radisson Hotel in Manchester on April 1st, 2006. 

 

Terms of Office:  Sheldon Sawyer announced that candidates for Town positions must file their document between January 25th and February 3rd, 2006.

 

Adjournment:  Dave Edkins moved to adjourn this meeting.  Sheldon Sawyer seconded the motion.  With all in favor, the motion carried at 8:35 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Regina Borden, Recording Secretary

 

 

Cc:  All Planning Board members, ZBA, Selectboard Office, Fire Dept., Town Clerk

Posted:  Town Hall, Burdick’s Market and Town Website.