PLANNING BOARD

MEETING

Monday, August 12, 2002

Belmont Town Hall

Belmont, New Hampshire

Members Present:  Chairman P. Harris; G. Flack, J. Marden and W. Brunkhardt.

Members Absent:  W. Peterson, C. Patten and J. Pike.

Alternates Absent:  C. Shibles and G. Bolduc.

Staff: E. Murphy.

Master Plan Subcommittee Members: Chairman L. Frawley; J. Bolduc SEA and K. Knowlton.

The chairman opened the meeting at 7:10 p.m.

MASTER PLAN:

P. Harris stated that tonight they are reviewing Chapters 5-8. J. Bolduc explained that they received the review back from LRPC and they received a good grade. LRPC has some suggestions. They want a separate section for the goals. They also want to modify the introductions. They mentioned the lack of an Economic Development Chapter and stated reasons why it should be included in the Master Plan. LRPC also felt the Master Plan focuses on Belmont and not on the regional impact. J. Bolduc stated that Master Plan would include the regional impact and also the impact on village area. J. Marden wanted to know who is on the Regional Village Design Committee. J. Bolduc stated that he and C. Daigle are working on the impact report for the region and village. He stated that they are going to draft the report and bring it to the Board for final approval. J. Marden stated that Linda’s report should be sent to LRPC and added to the Master Plan as an appendix. He also stated that we are thinking regionally as Belmont is in a prime location. P. Harris stated that when they finish the Master Plan then they could work on the economic part. J. Bolduc stated that when the next draft is sent they could include the Economic Development and Community Review section. L. Frawley wanted to know what was sent up to LRPC as it would be useful to understand their comments. She wanted to know how the formatting and readability are we going to be addressed. They need a simpler format. Readability is the main issue as it is hard to follow and doesn’t flow. G. Flack stated that it is a draft and will be readable when C. Daigle and J. Bolduc are done, as they know what they are doing. P. Harris stated that is why they hired SEA. Ms. Frawley stated that as it is written it is hard for the public to follow. J. Marden stated that the School Board stated that they had a hard time understanding it.

Ms. Frawley stated that you can get a 0-3% response for surveys through direct mail. Having self -addressed envelopes can bring in more response. She stated that a community survey has not been done. K. Knowlton stated that the number of those that are interested in the Master Plan is the same as those attending the Town Meeting. P. Harris stated that the School Board stated that the survey was more of a consensus than an opinion. J. Bolduc stated that there were only 8 responses to the questionnaires and some of those gave responses with explanations on why they agreed or disagree. He explained that of the eight responses all but one generally agreed. Ms. Frawley wanted to know if the comments are going to be integrated or set aside. J. Bolduc stated that the comments would be intergraded. He also stated that the August 3rd interviews with town staff, to find out what their plans for the future are, would also be included. J. Marden stated in response to the view shed the Planning Board had Mr. Tom Kokx attend a meeting to discuss view sheds and they voted to wait before doing anything. P. Harris stated that Canterbury was holding back building permits until they were challenged. Ms. Frawley stated that the Office of State Planning did a report in June about growth. P. Harris explained that the plans are good but they have limited help and no more volunteers. Ms. Frawley stated that Meredith’s Master Plan is unique and interesting. They have it available now and the citizens have two months to review it. It is easy to read and handles similar philosophies. It references where the information came from at the end of each chapter to let the public know there was research done and not just a few Planning Board members making all the decisions. She stated that Meredith started their Master Plan in1998. P. Harris stated Meredith’s Master Plan took four years and is citizen driven. Ours is being done in nine months. P. Harris stated that they should look at others to help design ours and make it easier to read. He stated that the School Board is happy that both Boards are communicating. The School Board’s goals and objectives are good and detailed and they will meet with Canterbury and share that information with them. J. Marden stated that Canterbury now allows 50 permits because of the legal challenge.

The Board started reviewing Chapter 5 of the Master Plan. J. Marden stated that he saw nothing wrong with it the Land Use Chapter. The Town Beach upkeep and expansion should be included under community’s response to land use needs. W. Brunkhardt stated that he read a letter about massive upgrade and it would be costly. J. Marden stated that the use doesn’t warrant the addition of new bathhouses and other items at this time. K. Knowlton stated that a boat launch would have an impact on Winnisquam Lake. That is why it is important to get input from the beach committee. He stated that more input is needed under the Town Beach section. J. Marden stated that the impact of the trails system and money received from the State need to be considered.

J. Bolduc handed out maps that R. Ball has designed and explained that each chapter will have one and exhibits would also be included. Ms. Frawley stated that a summary box on each maps with figures and facts about the map would be helpful. This would help show the direction that Belmont is heading and make the maps easier to read.

J. Bolduc stated that he would pass the comments onto C. Daigle for the remaining chapters. K. Knowlton submitted photos for the Master Plan. C. Daigle will scan in photos and put them in where appropriate.

OTHER BUSINESS:

INFORMAL DISCUSSION BLUE SKY ENTERPRISES TAX LOT 243--025:

Mr. Howard Warren representing Blue Sky Enterprises explained they own 90 acres of land. Eighty-nine acres are in Northfield and 1 acre is in Belmont. They are proposing an 8 lot subdivision in Northfield with 2 lots having access on South Road and Twin Bridge Road. He explained that the Belmont Planning Board has to sign the plan but no approval necessary. He explained the property is located on the town line but they are not subdividing the land in Belmont. He stated that Tax Lot 240-25 is 1.03 acres and cannot be conveyed separately. The existing driveway is off an existing road and there is no water crossing. J. Marden wanted to know why the driveway is not coming off Twin Bridge Road. Mr. Warren stated that the lot used all frontage and it is long way into the lot. He stated that the Public Works Director, Bob Bennett, has seen the site and has no problems accessing South Road. J. Marden wanted to know what the zones are in Northfield. Mr. Warren stated that the lots are in the R1 and Conservation zones. J. Marden wanted to know how many houses are allowed in the conservation zone. Mr. Warren stated that only 1 house per lot is allowed. P. Harris stated the access from Twin Bridge Road lots will have no impact on South Road. He explained that if the 63 acres is subdivided they would be required to come before Belmont to get approval. He stated that it could be in the deed that the one lot would have to use the South Road entrance. J. Marden wanted to know if they should wait until Blue Sky gets approval in Northfield before they do anything. W. Brunkhardt stated that he has no concerns. Mr. Warren stated that Ms. Karen Feltham and C. Daigle have talked and did not feel a public hearing is necessary in Belmont and they will add a no approval necessary box on the plan for the Planning Board to sign off on. J. Marden wanted to know if all the abutters would be notified. Mr. Warren stated that all the abutters have been notified. W. Brunkhardt stated that they can’t make a decision before the Northfield meeting. P. Harris stated that would be no impact from the one lot in Belmont. P. Harris wanted to know if there should be a formal meeting to give the abutters a chance to voice their concerns. Mr. Warren stated that all the abutters have been notified for the public hearing in Northfield and will have a chance to voice their concerns at that meeting. W. Brunkhardt stated it is not necessary for public hearing. The Board discussed other plans that they have signed off on involving other communities. It was the consensus of the Board to have the plan brought back for review after it is approved in Northfield and sign off on it then if there are no major changes. They also stated that no subdivision could be done to the 60 acre lot or the other lots on South Road without coming before the Planning Board for approval. 

BOARD'S ACTION-MINUTES:

MOTION:  On a motion by W. Brunkhardt, seconded by G. Flack, it was voted to approve the minutes of the July 22, 2002, meeting as submitted. (3-0-1) J. Marden abstained. 

STAFF REPORT:

DOUGLAS AND THERESA BONDERSON TAX LOT 107-150-000-007:  The chairman signed the Bonderson’s site plan.

WALTER WINWARD TAX LOT 231-002:  The chairman signed the subdivision for Walter Winward.

AHERN PARK COMMITTEE:  J. Marden explained that his name has been submitted to be Belmont’s representative to the Ahern Park Committee. The position will be discussed at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on August 13^th and he would like any Board member that could attend to come and support him. It was the consensus of the Board to send a memo to the Board of Selectmen stating that they highly recommend J. Marden to be the Belmont representative to the Ahern Park Committee.

ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION:  On a motion by W. Brunkhardt, seconded by J. Marden, it was voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. (4-0)

Respectfully submitted,