Town of Kensington

Planning Board Minutes

June 2, 2005

Approved July 7, 2005

 

In attendance:  Chairman Michael Schwotzer, Bob Solomon, Joan Whitney, Steve Wilson, Peter Merrill, Michael Motherway, Selectmen's representative and Jill Robinson of the Rockingham Planning Commission. 

 

Exeter Board Members:  Chairman Landon Plumer, Kevin Blayne, Dennis Derby, Robert Eastman, Gwen English, Anthony Zwaan, Leonard Pichini and Sylvia VonAulock, planner.

 

Approval of May 5, 2005 minutes – Bob Solomon moved to accept the minutes of May 5, 2005 as presented, seconded by Michael Motherway with all in favor.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Boston North – Peter Dow explained that the development group had met with Exeter’s technical review committee on May 26th for preliminary discussion of Site Plan Review.  He spoke with Chief LeBlanc on the 27th regarding adding sprinklers to the individual units, taking out the emergency access road, and substituting a 30,000 gallon cistern for the pond.  Chief LeBlanc said the Fire Department was in agreement with that and felt the gallons would be adequate.  Steve Wilson commented that the system is dependent on the power supply and would need back up power such as a generator.  M. Schwotzer asked about replenishing the cistern and Mr. Dow explained that it would be the responsibility of the condo association to refill it.  He added that the cistern is fiberglass and has a gauge and Jonathan Ring said they will make sure the gauge is visible.  Peter Merrill asked about response time, particularly since another parcel may be developed, and at what point would the number of units become a concern for the volunteer fire services.  Chief LeBlanc said he had driven the route in eight minutes, but if there was flooding and alternates routes had to be used, it could more than double that time.  Jill Robinson presented a drawing showing that the proposed site is 2.6 miles from Exeter and 3.1 miles from Kensington.  Peter Dow explained there was also an agreement with Exeter Hospital for advanced life support services.  Dennis Derby stated the Exeter Planning Board is concerned with all these units having only one access, which also isolates the community.  Mr. Dow said he contacted the surrounding land owners, but none wanted to sell.  Dennis Derby read a letter from transportation consultant, Marty Kennedy, recommending providing another access and improving connectivity.  Jill Robinson commented on several items including connectivity issues and the fact that the Exeter Police Department on May 20th said they would not respond and the Exeter Fire Department on May 22nd said they were not responsible. 

      Public comments:  Susan Hanson of Exeter said she was opposed to the emergency roadway as it will end up being used with poor line of sight and felt the Board should not approve the plan when adequate safety services cannot be provided, stressing that it would be wrong for Exeter to have to provide them; John Skewes of Kensington asked how the Boards can approve and scale services for 23 units when if all goes well there will be 46, adding he also felt safety services were not adequate; Paul Kimball of Kensington commented on the development being Scattered and Premature, too near if not over the aquifer, limited water supply in drilled wells and limited accessibility. 

      Silvia VonAulock and Steve Wilson did not agree with Peter Dow's explanation of a private road connecting to a public road at a development on the Stratham/Exeter line as setting a precedent.  Sylvia explained that it was a gated emergency access road, but was never gated, stressing that gating them rarely works for any length of time.  She said she spoke with Lynne Morse, Exeter's attorney, who will look into the matter of the emergency access road and if it's required.  Silvia emphasized that Exeter doesn't allow that type of density, is concerned with reliance on Exeter for emergency services as Exeter Hospital serves a very large community including Massachusetts and strongly suggested Kensington revise their ordinance as it is not what was intended. 

      Peter Dow said the developer is willing to remove the emergency access road and stressed that access to Kimball Road would not solve the issue.  He emphasized that the towns share schools and other resources, thus this would not be a scattered and premature development.  He disagreed with Steve Wilson stating the 23 detached units in Kensington represented only 3% of homes rather than 7 to 8% of the population. 

      M. Schwotzer suggested that they wait for Exeter’s answer since the emergency access road is in Exeter and asked Mr. Dow to continue to July 7th.  He replied they were willing to continue. 

      Peter Merrill moved to deny the application of Boston North Holdings as not acceptable as it does not comply with the elderly housing regulation with regard to the cul-de-sac length, housing on a single floor, services and emergency access, and is scattered and premature, seconded by Joan Whitney with the majority voting in the negative, thus the motion did not carry.  Steve Wilson suggested waiting until after Boston North goes to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.  Bob Solomon moved to continue the hearing to July 7, 2005 at 7:00 pm, seconded by Michael Motherway with all in favor.

      A motion was made and seconded by the Exeter Board to adjourn at 9:20 pm.

 

Continued - Proposed Tree Regulations for addition to the subdivision regulations – Jill Robinson explained that number VIII had been changed to clarify that individual landowners are not affected.  The change was reviewed and approved by the town’s attorney.  John and Joan Skewes of the Conservation Commission were in attendance and agreed with the changes.  Steve Wilson moved to adopt the Tree Regulations to the town’s subdivision regulations as written as Article 4.21, seconded by Bob Solomon with all in favor.

 

The Board agreed to hold a work session on Friday, June 17th at 6:30 pm to consider revisions to the current elderly housing regulation.

 

Peter Merrill moved to adjourn at 9:54 pm, seconded by Michael Motherway with all in favor.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Denise Gregson

Administrative Assistant