Town of Kensington
Planning Board Minutes
November 16, 2004
Amended and approved December 2, 2004
In attendance: Chairman Steve Wilson, Bob Solomon, Joan Whitney, Peter Merrill, Jill Robinson of the Rockingham Planning Commission and Stefanie Johnstone Selectmen's Representative
The Meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm.
Approval of October 7 and November 4, 2004 minutes – Peter Merrill moved to approve the October 7, 2004 minutes, seconded by Bob Solomon with all in favor. Peter Merrill moved to approve the November 4, 2004 minutes, seconded by Bob Solomon with all in favor.
Driveway permits – Bill Grant presented a permit for lot 5 of Rose Petal Lane, which was postponed until the next meeting so the Board could review the plan, and Brockelbank, 49 Muddy Pond Road. Stefanie Johnstone explained that this had been reviewed at the Selectmen's meeting when a building permit had been requested. She said the Selectmen had approved the building permit for Brockelbanks pending approval of the driveway by the Planning Board. Steve Wilson noted that neither the easement nor the plan depicted the right-of-way width. The Brockelbanks stated they would be willing to amend the easement to show the width and will include specific language that they will maintain the right-of-way to and including their driveway entrance on the plan and all deeds. Bob Solomon moved to approve the driveway permit for the Brockelbanks conditioned upon specifically describing the 30 foot right-of-way and the maintenance of same and authorize the Chairman to sign for the Board, seconded by Joan Whitney with all in favor.
PUBLIC HEARING NEW
Adoption to the subdivision regulations – Scattered and Premature Development – Peter Merrill moved to approve the addition of Scattered and Premature Development to the Subdivision Regulations, seconded by Bob Solomon with all in favor.
PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED
Boston North Holding’s LLC Six Lot Subdivision - off Powder Mill Road in Exeter, NH, Kensington Tax Map 16, Lots 4 and 5 – Jonathan Ring of Jones & Beach Engineering explained that Exeter had approved 12 single family house lots, with egress and ingress to be reviewed if there was any further development. A waiver request from the cul-de-sac regulations of 1,000 feet had been submitted as it is 1,250 feet from Powder Mill Road to lot 7’s driveway reserve area, but 1,195 feet to the beginning of the cul-de-sac. Mr. Ring explained that this length was to avoid wetlands and they are seeking approval for single family lots on lots 7 and 9; the rest to be built in Exeter. Peter Dow said he had provided plans to Rob Garneau about the potential for 62 acres for conservation land in East Kingston.
Joan Whitney suggested keeping all the houses in Exeter. It was determined that 8 and 9 could be done, but a house would not fit in Exeter on lot 7.
Attorney Malcom McNeill addressed the lengths of cul-de-sacs and variations among towns, stressing that if they were driveways to a home, the length would not be an issue. Steve Wilson said he would like to hear from Exeter that they would service the one house. Jill Robinson added that as part of the applicant process, a written statement from both Fire Chiefs should be procured. She read that cul-de-sacs don’t create connectivity and can create sprawl. Joan Whitney questioned where children of the one home in Kensington would attend school, and if Exeter agreed then it should be in writing.
Abutters from Exeter and Kensington spoke against approval, as they had at previous hearings. Paul Kimball of Kensington said he felt the plan was incomplete as it didn’t show where the lots end in Kensington.
Attorney McNeill said that the applicants would be willing to accept the condition that no new residential structures will be built in Kensington. Joan Whitney confirmed that this also included lot 7. The applicants also agreed to withdraw the request for a waiver to the cul-de-sac length. Joan Whitney moved as to the approval of this plan, no new residential homes will be constructed in the town of Kensington, seconded by Bob Solomon. Four voted in favor, with one opposed. It was agreed that a note will be added to the plan and additions to currently existing structures are not affected.
OLD BUSINESS:
Boswell – Jim Verra request regarding placement of monuments – Peter Merrill moved to approve the monument placement at 220 feet, seconded by Bob Solomon with all in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
Review of time limit following acceptance of a plan as complete – This has been changed by law to now require 65 days rather than 90 and a public hearing for formal amendment will be held at the next Planning Board meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Subdivision bond release – Discussion of requiring notification to residents of the subdivision and holding a final site walk – Stefanie Johnstone presented a suggestion that prior to a final bond being released on a subdivision there be a regulation process. Steve Wilson said he felt an as built plan should be presented to the Planning Board if any changes were made to the original proposal, and a public hearing could be held with all abutters notified. The results of that hearing could then be forwarded to the Selectmen to assist in their determination.
Jill Robinson passed out a Technical Advisory Memo for the Board to review at their next meeting.
Peter Merrill moved to adjourn at 10:07 pm, seconded by Bob Solomon with all in favor.
Denise Gregson
Administrative Assistant