PB Minutes 1/9/2008

ATKINSON PLANNING BOARD

Atkinson, New Hampshire

Planning Board Meeting

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Present: Sue Killam, Chairperson; Paul DiMaggio, Vice-Chairman;

Tim Dziechowski; Ted Stewart; Joe Guischard;

Alternate: Susan Miner ;Harold Morse

Also present: Building Inspector Bob Jones.

Sue Killam opened the meeting at 7:40 p.m.

Amendment of the following Zoning Amendments:

Building Codes: Continued from December 26^th, 2007

This proposed Amendment to the Building Codes was continued from the 12/26/07 meeting because the Planning Board members wanted to confer with Town Counsel to discuss this amendment and get his opinion.

Are you in favor of the following Amendments proposed by the Planning Board which would amend the following sections of the Atkinson Building Codes in accordance with NH RSA 155-A.

Section 610:1 to read as follows "All conventionally constructed buildings shall conform to and comply with the New Hampshire State Building Codes."

Section 610:2 will be deleted because the State Building Codes are more stringent. Section 610:3 and 630:1 will be deleted as they would be included in the amended section 610:

Sue Killam reads the question which would appear on the ballot and reported on her meeting with Sumner Kalman. (That meeting was attended by Sue Killam and Building Inspector Bob Jones; Tim Dziechowski phoned in for a few minutes to express his concern about Town liability. During that meeting Sumner familiarized himself with

RSA 155-A and he felt that the Town’s responsibility is to enforce the State Building Code per that RSA. )

Discussion

Tim Dziechowski asked about enforcement, and the Board referred to RSA 155-A:7.

A motion was made and seconded to move the Article to the Ballot. With 6 members voting, the motion carried unanimously.

Amendment to Floodplain Conservation District Ordinance – Continued from December 26, 2007.

This proposed Ordinance was amended at the meeting of 12/26/07 and was continued for a Second Public hearing.

Are you in favor of an Amendment proposed by the Planning Board which would replace the existing Floodplain Conservation District Ordinance section 420:1 to 420:5 with the Floodplain Management Ordinance, which will update the ordinance to federal standards in order to bring the Town of Atkinson into compliance with the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program and to update Section 300, Definitions, accordingly.

Amendment proposed to Section 420:4 to read: ‘ All proposed development, as defined in this ordinance, in any special flood hazard area shall require all applicable permits.’

Motion made by Tim and seconded by Ted to move to Ballot as amended.

Joe Guischard recused himself due to fact he had not attended the previous hearing.

Discussion: Paul asked for a sense of the Board with regards to this Article.

Ted points out that homeowners other than in a flood hazard zone will be able to purchase Flood Insurance. Other members felt it was a good idea to move to Ballot to allow Voters to decide.

With 6 members voting, 5 voted Yes, 1 voted No. The motion carries.

Discussion - Extending Conditional Approval

Sue Killam explained that a developer with a Conditional Approval of a site plan has inquired if the Board would extend that conditional approval past the one-year limit as stated in Site Plan regulations 730:3. Discussion followed, and it was suggested by Paul that the Planning Board could waive regulations in Site Plan. The Board agreed, and suggested the developer should come in under Discussion to request the extension.

Other Discussion-

Tim Dziechowski reported that he had queried in an on-line discussion group (Plan-Link) how other towns tackle to problem of site plan supervision. Some towns have planning assistants or building officials keep an eye on projects. He also pointed out that under RSA673:16 that Planning Boards have the right to hire, and it was suggested this would be something to review during the next budget season.

Tim also pointed out that there is a meeting January 16^th in Durham, which will discuss Green standards for Master Plans. That is the date of our next regular Planning Board meeting.

Tim also raised his concerns about the October 3, 2007 discussion with "Linkmark" about the lot at the corner of Main and Page lane, in the Town Center Zone. The chart of permitted uses was reviewed and discussed, with some difference of opinion about pertinent footnotes, and what they mean with regard to multiple uses on a site. It was agreed that we should review Zoning Ordinances in the Town Center Zone with regard to landscaping and historic quality.

Motion to Adjourn by Ted Stewart, seconded by Harold Morse. 6 members voting, the motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:45 P.M.

Minutes prepared from notes taken by Chairman, Susan Killam Respectfully Submitted

APPROVED____________________________________