Planning Board
Meeting Minutes
January 20, 2004
Members present: Terry Silverman; Chairman, Joan McLaughlin, Robin Haynes and Carlotta Lilback Pini
Members absent: Paul Grasewicz; Vice-Chairman and Macreay Landy
Chairman Silverman opened the meeting at 7:03 p.m.
THERE ARE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS OR APPOINMTENTS
SCHEDULED FOR THIS MEETING
Administrative Work
Ø Review and approve meeting minutes from January 6, 2004 – Chairman Silverman moved to accept the minutes of January 6, 2004 as written. Joan McLaughlin seconded. A unanimous vote in favor of the motion was taken.
Ø Review/discuss any changes to Master Plan final text – The Board first discussed if they wanted to keep the Appendix as a separate book from the Master Plan. It was discussed that the Appendix is a valued part of this and by having it as a separate book, it allows one to see the Master Plan alone without it. The Board agreed to keep them separate.
The Board discussed Chapter Two: Community Facilities & Services, noting the outdated information contained within the chapter. The Board agreed to divide up the sections within this chapter amongst themselves, and meet with the department head to discuss their section and update it accurately. The sections were divided as follows: Town Government – Joan McLaughlin, Public Safety, Public Works and Traffic & Transportation – Terry Silverman, Education and Recreation & Open Space – Carlotta Lilback Pini, and Library – Robin Haynes. Chairman Silverman told the Board that he would like this to be completed for their next meeting. Margo noted that she may have to do the editing work for these sections since they were not included in the cost of the update. The Board
suggested that she contact Eric Twarog about the cost for the Planning Commission to do this.
In reviewing Chapters 3 and 4 which were the chapters that were updated, the Board noted that cluster developments are mentioned a lot. The Board discussed that they want to review the current Cluster Development Ordinance, specifically road setbacks and side setbacks from buildings to property lines, and determine what they really want for cluster developments. The Board discussed that they like the benefits of having back land protected in that it keeps aquifers running and protects habitats. Additionally, abutting properties need protection.
The Board discussed that the plan has to provide for future and continual growth in the community and Carlotta read aloud RSA 674:3 I. which relates to the preparation of the Master Plan noting that the Planning Board may review data about the existing conditions, probable growth demands, and best design methods to prevent sprawl growth in the community and the region. The Board discussed that this serves as the foundation for the land use regulations for the community. Additionally, on the last page of this chapter there is language regarding the subdivision and site plan review regulations, to which the Board agreed that these regulations do need to be reviewed and they need to look at the suggested phrases: “adequately landscaped” and “appropriate buffer
strips”. The Board agreed to the following changes within Chapter 3:
Page 25 Last sentence of last paragraph: Remove “health clinic” as this has been gone for a number of years now.
Page 36 Last paragraph: Remove second half of paragraph with the last sentence to read: “Fitzwilliam is a relatively small community and is not too far from Keene or Rindge, both of which have major retail centers.
Page 37 Third paragraph: Changes within the last four sentences; to read as: “A substantial amount of heavy trucking on Route 119 would deteriorate the roadbed quickly, requiring much more frequent repairs to the road. While there are a number of old
quarries in Fitzwilliam, they are located in areas that have become almost entirely residential, creating compatibility problems.
Page 38 Third and fourth paragraphs (full paragraphs dealing with campgrounds) – Remove in their entirety.
Page 39 First paragraph: Remove fourth sentence: “The roads in the area are lined with homes, but there is a substantial amount of land behind those roads where additional development could take place.”
The following changes were made within Chapter 4:
Page 42 Under Implementation Techniques: Remove the second paragraph dealing with cluster development and easements.
Page 43 Under Recommendations: Remove the seventh item: “Consider adopting Conservation Subdivision regulations; and change the ninth item to read: “Review the natural resources inventory compiled by the Conservation Commission, and examine the need for additional overlay districts to
protect the identified resources.”
Page 44 Under Implementation Techniques: Second paragraph, remove the middle section so that the paragraph reads: “Land use can be controlled through the use of overlay zoning districts, which are designed specifically to protect natural resources and environmentally sensitive
areas. It can also be controlled through specific growth limitations, as authorized by state law (RSA 674:22) or by innovative land use controls, as authorized in RSA 674:21. Impact Fees can be a good way to help with the cost of off-
site road improvements that are often necessary for the construction of a substantial housing development.
Page 44 Under Recommendations; remove the second sentence regarding cluster development so this reads as follows: “Review the Land Usage code to determine if changes are needed to better control land use in the town, and to ensure that the codes respond to changing needs and conditions.”
Page 45 Remove the following recommendations on this page: 3rd re: subdivision regulations; 6th re: innovative development concepts, 8th re: Building code and 9th re: support in attracting businesses.
Page 46 Under Policies: 5th sentence; add the word “to” after services and before commensurate.
Page 46 Under Implementation Techniques; first paragraph: Remove the fourth sentence: “However, higher growth also means more people to pay the costs.”
Margo will contact Eric Twarog at the Planning Commission about these changes and let him know about the Boards’ plans to update Chapter 2. Due to the changes made to the drafted update of the Master Plan, the Board postponed setting a date for the public hearing.
Ø Set date for Public Hearing to adopt the updated Master Plan - Postponed
Ø Work on amendments to the Excavation Regulations - Postponed
Correspondence
Ø CIP information submitted by Susan Massin, Librarian – The Board reviewed this information noting that the only request is for $10,000.00 in 2005 to paint the original part of the library. The Board again discussed maintenance items being in the CIP. Carlotta told the Board that the Town of Rindge is discussing having a special fund for maintenance for the town buildings in which they would set money aside into, and then use funds as needed. The Board also discussed that in some cases, items put on the CIP by the departments are actually expenditures for a particular year, and are not items that have been planned for and had funds set aside for, which is
more of what the CIP is actually for. The Board questioned if there was any newer information available about the purpose of a CIP and Carlotta said that she has a guide book regarding this that she would bring in. Margo told the Board that she could check with SWRPC and see if they have any newer information than what we already have from them.
Ø Copy of letter forwarded by the Selectmen’s Office – This letter is in regards to the livestock violation that was occurring on Perry Road. Margo told the Board that she has been advised that the llamas are no longer on the property.
Ø Notice of a Stormwater Symposium to be held on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 in Milford, MA. - Reviewed
Ø Notice of Public Hearing from the Town of Winchendon - Reviewed
Margo provided each Board member with a copy of the Annual Report for the Planning Board. Chairman Silverman told the Board that he reviewed the report and had Margo submit it as written.
Margo reminded the Board of the Site Walk scheduled for 10:00 a.m. this Saturday. The site walk has been scheduled in conjunction with Russ Raitto’s application for a 7-unit condominium housing development for persons age 55 and older on property located on Rt. 12 and Rt. 119.
Chairman Silverman adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Margo M. Best
Administrative Assistant
Land Use Boards
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