ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Minutes------21 March 2007
PRESENT: M. Mansouri,
ABSENT: J. Galloway-Leclerc,
L. Weber
Recording: Pamela Aslinger, Sec.
to Planning Board for Ms. Weber
Note: These minutes are unapproved and will be
reviewed on 18 April 2007 for errors, omissions and corrections. (There were 5 persons in attendance, and
Selectmen Sawyer)
The meeting was called to order at 7:35pm. B. Webb was designated as an alternate to sit in place of an absent member.
PUBLIC HEARING - No hearing was scheduled.
New Business:
Keith Sanctuary
was present in place of Robin Sanctuary to describe plans to re-model an
existing single-family older home located on
Ch. Mansouri asked for comments from the Board. Mr. Webb stated it is a permitted use according to the zoning ordinance to convert a one family to a two family in the rural agricultural zone. Members agreed that because it is a permitted use there is no action to be taken by the Zoning Board on this matter.
Selectmen Sawyer asked if he intended to add bedrooms, Mr. Sanctuary replied no, they might reduce the existing number; each apartment will be “two bedroom”. They directed him to contact the Board of Selectmen’s secretary for an application for a building permit and thanked him for appearing before the Board.
SIGN: Robert Watson, owner of the Drewsville
Store presented his request to install a freestanding, directional, off
premises sign on his son’s property located on the corner of
cone as the shape of the sign and incorporating the store logo on it. It will be a permanent sign but will be seasonal, he will place a small removable sign such as “see you in April” across it during the off-season. He is planning to have the sign made and installed in late April, weather permitting. He mentioned due to the snow, he is uncertain of the exact location although it will meet the zoning requirements for placement within 20 feet from front, side or rear property lines and he will not be obstructing any views.
Note: The Board recessed briefly to allow the
secretary to confirm the zone, map and lot number according to the Town
records. The above information is
correct.
The Board referred to the zoning regulations Article IV - D. Signs, 5. Rural Ag., 7. for specifications. Ch. Mansouri asked if the ice cream was being sold from a cart, outside. Mr. Watson said the ice cream had been moved into the luncheonette inside the store after being denied permission to sell it outside. She said the Board would need to have a letter of permission from his son Duncan Watson. Mr. Webb asked to have a diagram of the sign and its location, to be kept on file. Mr. Britton asked to confirm that it is permanent sign; Mr. Watson said it would be. Mr. Webb stated when the Board grants a permit for a sign, it is considered permanent. He noted in certain instances such as a sign being removed in the winter for the snowplows was at the discretion of the applicant. Mr. Watson asked about the sign being 10 feet, where he wants to locate it there is a berm where a bridge abutment has washed out, he prefers to have the sign in front of the berm but where is the 10 ft. measured? Members said from the ground to the very top of the sign.
The Board stated the sign “as described” would be a conforming compliant sign. They instructed him to prepare his materials and drop them into the Zoning Board box in the Selectmen’s Office as soon as he is ready. The members will review the materials, if any questions come up the Secretary will contact him. Mr. Watson said the sign wouldn’t be made until the 3rd week in April. The Board thanked him for coming in with his plans.
Water Department Letter from Mark Houghton - Ch. Mansouri read the letter into the record. A copy is on file with these minutes. She noted the letter also went to the Planning Board. She stated each time a proposal is brought before the Board in the Water Protection area she will contact Mr. Houghton to be present to offer his input.
Consideration of
Alternates - Ch. Mansouri introduced Mary Terese Lester and David
Calhoun both attendees and soon to be graduates of the
Ms. Mary Terese Lester has lived in
Walpole for 12 years, is in her 7th year as a 9th grade teacher at Fall
Mountain High School in Government/Economics, taught for 20 years prior to that
and also lived in Charlestown. She has
two children; her husband is a realtor for Century 21 in
Mr. David Calhoun has lived in
Zoning Board, the Board’s actions seem to be very clear, cut and dry. He is very willing to help out.
Ch. Mansouri explained the importance of alternates and for them to sit with the Board during meetings, ask questions, and be part of the discussions. Alternates are not allowed to vote unless they have been designated. Alternates are designated to sit in place of an absent voting member. She said the Board asks alternates to be present as much as possible, if they are unable to attend a meeting, they must contact the Secretary or Ms. Mansouri. Mr. Britton said sitting, as an alternate is a good way to understand and learn the duties of the Zoning Board. Mr. Webb said both had expressed a strong desire to be appointed as alternates so moved to appoint Ms. Lester and Mr. Calhoun as alternates to the zoning board of adjustment. Mr. Britton said it was just what the Board was looking for, qualified persons to fill the open seats. Motion was seconded and carried.
Ms. Lester asked what constituted a quorum, answer was 3 members, 5 alternates are allowed per RSA 673:6 to serve 3 year terms, staggered. The Board will have two more positions available and suggested they relay this information to the Academy.
Ch. Mansouri gave them copies of the Zoning Ordinance, copies of the updated version will be available through Ms. Aslinger in a few days, and she will contact them by e-mail and provide them with other documents in the coming weeks. Each was given a current law book.
OLD BUSINESS:
Gravel Pits - Ms. Mansouri said due to Town meeting commitments for both she and Mr. Webb, they have not completed their findings. They will meet in the next couple of weeks to finalize the information and present it to the Board for the April meeting.
Sheldon Sawyer - Made a request of the zoning board in regard to signs for a commercial business in the rural agricultural zone, he would like to know if special exceptions have been granted for what appear to be non-conforming signs at Alyson’s Apple Orchard along Rte. 12. There appears to be 4 or 5 signs totaling more than the 32 sq. ft. limit.
Mr. Britton couldn’t remember Mr. Jasse coming in for signs in the past 8 years.
Ms. Mansouri remembered him applying for State highway signs, and she remembered him asking for a sign for the orchard and farm stand but not the exact year. Mr. Webb thought it had been 2 or 3 years since he had been in for the newer entrance signs.
Mr. Sawyer said there had been complaints on signs on the opposite side of the road that were removed.
Ms. Mansouri asked Mr. Sawyer if he was requesting the Zoning Board to research the status of Alyson’s Orchard signage to see what was granted?
Mr. Sawyer said yes, in terms of quantity and size. Ms. Mansouri said they would go through the records. Mr. Britton suggested the Board do a drive-by to see what signs were in place and discuss it at the next meeting.
Walpole Zoning Board Meeting Minutes page 4
Mr. Sawyer said his concern was whether the signs are in conformance to the zoning ordinance. Ch. Mansouri said the Board would go back through the records to see what was granted along Rte. 12 and make a report at the next meeting. Members agreed saying they would decide what kind of action might need to be taken at the meeting.
For clarification purposes the secretary asked if this was a Selectmen’s request? Answer was no it was Mr. Sawyer as a private citizen, personal request.
Ch. Mansouri said they would be happy to report back at the next meeting.
Minutes - After a brief discussion regarding tape recording the meetings being a useful tool for the Secretary, Mr. Webb made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 21, 2007 meeting as presented. Motion was seconded and was carried.
Meeting Adjourned - 8:30pm
Cc: file, ZBA, PB, Water Supt., Town Offices, BOS
Posted: Town Hall,
Lobby, Burdick’s Market, www.walpolenh.us, www.the walpolean.com