Town of Kensington
Planning Board Minutes
October 7, 2004 Meeting
Approved November 16, 2004
In Attendance: Steve Wilson, Chair, Bob Solomon, Peter Merrill, Joan Whitney, Michael Motherway, Selectmen’s representative and Jill Robinson, Rockingham Planning Commission Circuit Rider
The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.
Approval of September 2, 2004 minutes – Bob Solomon requested to add under Boston North Holding’s LLC that the issue of where to begin a measurement for the cul-de-sac, which would be critical to the elderly housing site plan, had not been determined. Bob Solomon moved to accept the September 2, 2004 minutes as amended with the changes discussed regarding where the cul-de-sac starts, seconded by Joan Whitney with all in favor.
Driveway permits – Bill Grant – Mr. Grant was unable to attend but requested the Board’s approval of one permit for Evans/Arthur, 13 Wild Pasture Road. Peter Merrill expressed concerns regarding the line of sight although following prior review it was felt that this was the optimal location for this lot. Peter Merrill moved to accept the driveway plan as submitted, seconded by Bob Solomon with all in favor.
Pinnacle Five Lot Subdivision - Kensington Leadership Center Trust, 199 South Road – Harold Bragg, representing the Lewis Family Trust, presented a fully executed document by Alan Lewis regarding the driveways, noted as a “Subdivision Restriction”, an Easement Deed executed October 5, 2004 to the Town of Kensington for access to and use of a certain dry hydrant for fire protection purposes on Beaver Dam Road, certification of monumentation and a letter dated August 25, 2004 from Assistant Chief Charles LeBlanc regarding the fire protection system. Mr. Bragg explained that the wetlands impact is the pond as there are no wetlands along the road. Discussion regarding how the fire suppression piping would be installed ensued and Mr. Bragg said the pond actually holds a half a million gallons of water. Soil type calculations by NH Soil Consultants were submitted with the finding that all five lots exceed the minimum lot size in accordance with Kensington’s zoning requirements. Lot 5, with 65 acres, was not calculated and lot 4 was found to have a 30,000 sq. ft. building envelope.
Joan Whitney asked about maintenance of the road and it was noted that Mr. Bragg had said at the last meeting that the Trust and the Fire Department will maintain year round access to the pond and language regarding this would be included in the Sawyer documents as well as a note on the plan. Harold Bragg replied that it is a viable roadway. They have contracted to have it plowed and they provide year round access. Joan Whitney said she felt that it should be put on the deed to the larger parcel, which will become part of the Sawyer Foundation. Mr. Bragg added that it will be referenced on the deed and noted on the plan. D. Buxton, attending in the audience, suggested that final acceptance be subject to a letter of approval of the pond from the Fire Department. S. Wilson added that no permits would be issued until fire protection was completed. Harold Bragg suggested choosing a deadline date instead.
Bob Solomon moved to approve the subdivision conditioned upon installation and acceptance of the dry hydrant on sheets C1 and C2 by June 1, 2005 and wording on the deed and plan that four season access and maintenance of Beaver Dam Road would be provided by the owner of Map 5, Lot 11, seconded by Peter Merrill with all in favor. The Board agreed that when the documents are ready, the Chairman can sign.
Six Lot Subdivision - Boston North Holding’s LLC - off Powder Mill Road in Exeter, NH, Kensington Tax Map 16, Lots 4 and 5. – A letter dated September 29, 2004 from Jones & Beach Engineers, Inc. requesting a postponement to November 4, 2005, due to postponement to October 14, 2004 of the Exeter meeting, was received. Chairman Wilson commented that the Board had accepted the plan as complete at the September 2, 2004 meeting, thus the Board has either 90 or 65 days to approve or disapprove the subdivision, which will be clarified and reviewed at the next meeting. Jill Robinson pointed out that the request was on the part of the applicant and they can grant an extension to the Board. Mr. Wilson added that the logic was not good with regard to the abutters, several of which had attended and felt that there were a number of details regarding their plans that could have been reviewed. He added that if there is another request to continue they would need to start over again.
S. Wilson commented on his observations during the recent site walk. He stressed that there are significant issues regarding measurements of site distance. They are claiming 300 feet of more, but that was not what he observed. They have added an emergency exit road to the plan, but it serves no purpose to the application at hand. He said he drove to the fire station observing the speed limit and found it took 10 minutes. He added there are lots of questions. They were told the additional cul-de-sac length was to avoid going through the wetlands, but he said he observed only man-made mud holes and felt that filling these in for the road and shortening the length of the cul-de-sac would have a positive public safety impact and not require waivers from both Boards as required now. Jill Robinson commented that she received a fax from their traffic study dated 10/1/04 which stated that the driveway would not provide adequate site distance and the development as proposed fails to consider the important issue of connectivity. She added that they are going to try to redesign the road to meet Exeter’s requirement regarding cul-de-sacs.
Bob Solomon moved to continue the public hearing for Boston North Holding’s LLC to November 4, 2004, seconded by Joan Whitney with all in favor.
PUBLIC HEARING NEW
CP Building Supply, Inc. – Commercial Site Plan Review for Eastman property at 268 Amesbury Road, Tax Map 3, Lot 15 – Henry Boyd, Jr. of Parker Survey presented the plans which he explained were about 90% complete. Corrections to be made to the plan include changing the address to 268 Amesbury Road, identifying the owner as the Estate of Helen Eastman, and changing the zone to commercial/industrial. The proposal includes four ponds, catch basins, concrete curbing to keep water from flowing to neighboring property, gutter spout and stone trench, and a lighting plan, which is not completed yet. Mr. Cynewski said the plan is to leave the existing home and barn, with the Board requesting that the well and septic be defined. The water supply comes from across the street and the plan will show the well and protective radius. The leach field may be shared.
Mr. Boyd said of the nine acres, the lot disturbance is approximately six acres or 67%, with an impervious surface of 50%. While more water can flow, it can not go off at a greater velocity. The buildings will be steel and S. Wilson requested they provide fulcrum architecture. Heating will be oil with twin 275 gallon tanks and a diesel storage tank of 275 gallons for trucks. S. Wilson discussed the issue of fire protection; required cistern and NFPA calculations and commented that the maximum building size appears to be larger and two buildings will need to be moved. Mr. Boyd will get more complete copies of the plan to Jill Robinson and Christian Smith to review.
Mr. Cynewski said he has spoken with Alan Garland regarding a driveway permit. The proposed driveway may need to be moved for the creation of a deceleration lane. Mr. Garland asked for a traffic report and Mr. Cynewski had put together sales and delivery slips; 12 incoming, 25 outgoing and 75 sales receipts. He added he is not planning to increase his business, just have more room. Hours will be 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, with a half day on Saturday. There will be no nights, Sundays, or Saturday afternoons. Joan Whitney emphasized that the occasional truck early in the morning could not sit and idle their motor at the site. They were requested to show security on the plan as well as provide landscaping details. The plan is to try to leave as much natural vegetation as possible.
Abutter Dave Conti, 2 New Boston Road, expressed six concerns: 1) the detention pond is 100’wide x 8’ deep and less than 30’ from the road – he said he thought for commercial status they needed to maintain a 60’ buffer – Peter Merrill explained it applied to structures; 2) want to maintain greenery to shield the view; 3) direct lighting away from New Boston Road; 4) possibly make the color of the building forest green; 5) integrate the house into the business property; and 6) would like to avoid standing water.
Abutter Robyn Royer expressed concerns about additional water going into the stream. This will be evaluated by the town’s engineer, Christian Smith.
Bob Solomon moved to continue the public hearing for CP Building Supply, Inc. to November 4, 2004, seconded by Peter Merrill with all in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
244 Amesbury Road – Attorney Mark Sullivan for Joseph Pratt – Attorney Sullivan requested a cancellation today and picked up an application for Site Plan Review.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Schedule a CIP meeting with Department Heads – Jill Robinson explained that a prioritization meeting with regard to the CIP is needed. This is an opportunity for each Department Head to state what is the most important to work on over the next few years. Glenn Greenwood would be willing to attend. The Department Heads will be asked to attend the next Selectmen’s meeting for discussion to clarify what information is needed. A final meeting will then be scheduled.
Jill Robinson also presented an impervious surface map of the town prepared August 2004 by NHDES for the NH Estuaries project. The map will be available for public view.
Peter Merrill motioned to adjourn the meeting at 10:12 p.m., seconded by Michael Motherway with all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Gregson
Administrative Assistant