Town of Kensington
Planning Board Minutes
June 19, 2007
Amended and approved July 17, 2007
In Attendance: Chair Joan Whitney, Bob Solomon, Peter Merrill, Jill Robinson, Rockingham Planning Commission Circuit Rider, and Stefanie Johnstone, Selectmens representative. Meeting called to order at 7:40 pm.
Approval of May 15, 2007 minutes Postponed
Driveway Permits Bill Grant presented six permits. Four were for lots 1, 2, 4 and 5 at Hudson Heights. It was determined that lots 4 and 5 were impacted by the current Cease and Desist order and could not be approved. The other two were for lots 30 and 31 on Weare Road at Kensington Place. Peter Merrill moved to accept lots 1 and 2 in Hudson Heights and lots 30 and 31 on Weare Road, seconded by Bob Solomon with all in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
William Buxton Expedited review for 2 lot subdivision and lot line adjustments Mr. Buxton and Preston Brown of Millennium Engineering presented the plan. Jennifer and Richard Haggett had submitted a letter of authorization and the Milburys were in attendance. Jill Robinson suggested that the Haggett frontage be increased to 200 and an easement be given to the Miyamura property. Mr. Buxton elected to remain with the plan as proposed. Two waivers were requested: 1) Article 4.16.1 A 2a, requirement that a 30,000 square foot contiguous non-wetland area be shown on the remaining 61.6 acre area for Map 12, Lot 45B; and 2) Article 4.17, requirement that a 4,000 square foot septic area be shown on the remaining 61.6 acre area for Map 12, Lot 45B. David Buxton provided some rough calculations which showed adequate sq. ft. and William Buxton concurred, explaining that there was plenty of dry land. Peter Merrill expressed concerns with granting waivers upon assumptions. Other members said they agreed with Christian Smith, the towns engineer, who had written, I feel the waivers are justified as it is difficult to presume these criteria could not be met on the remaining 61 + acres. Bob Solomon moved to accept the waivers as requested, seconded by Joan Whitney with three members voting in favor and Mr. Merrill opposed.
The checklists were
reviewed. A 1979 plan had been referenced. A few items were missing and the
members agreed to list these as conditions if the plan was approved. Bob
Solomon moved to accept the plan as complete, seconded by Joan Whitney with
three voting in favor and one abstaining. Bob Solomon moved to conditionally
accept the application of William G. Buxton for a two-lot subdivision subject
to the following three conditions: 1) dimensions to be added; 2) certification
of monumentation; and 3) receipt of a recordable mylar and to authorize the
Chair to sign the plan when conditions are met. The motion was seconded by
Joan Whitney with three voting in favor and Mr. Merrill abstaining. Bob
Solomon moved to accept the two lot line adjustments, seconded by Joan Whitney
with all in favor with three voting in favor and Mr. Merrill abstaining.
Joint Meeting with Conservation Commission
Jodi Castallo of the NH Estuaries Project will do a presentation on new shoreland buffer regulations, to protect rivers and streams.
Joan Skewes attended for the Conservation Commission. A presentation and a handout were provided. Jodi explained that, A buffer is a vegetated area along a shoreline, wetland, or stream where development is restricted or prohibited. The presentation explained the importance of this to remove silt and pollutants, maintain stream ecology, stabilize stream bank, shade streams, protect wetlands, provide flood control and protect wildlife habitat and corridors as well as protect water quality. She suggested the Planning Board consider increasing the current buffer setback from 25 and creating a buffer ordinance with effective buffer widths determined by a variety of reasons: resource to be protected; proposed upslope land use; soils, slopes and vegetation within the proposed buffer; and desired function of the buffer. She also suggested adding buffer protection to the Master Plan.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Engineering Application Fees Increase escrowed amount. Due to rising costs and increased regulatory requirements, escrow fees for Beals Associates engineering and Rockingham Planning Commission reviews will need to be increased. Following suggestions on how to best structure the costs, Jill Robinson agreed to prepare some possible proposals for the Board members to review.
OLD BUSINESS:
Elderly Housing Ordinance Discussion for development of a potential ordinance. Jill Robinson said she had made changes based on the feedback at the last meeting. She reminded members that the Scattered and Premature regulation deals with concerns related to placement of the development. Joan Whitney said she would like to add something that deals with handicap accessibility so that the units are built with wider doors, lower counter space, etc., from the outset. Jill Robinson agreed to research this.
Unitil Tree trimming issues postponed possibly resolved.
Proposed Wind Energy Conversion Systems Zoning Ordinance Jill Robinson said her colleagues had looked at it. Currently there are no regulations that would prohibit these. Members agreed to discuss further at the next meeting.
Peter Merrill moved to adjourn at 10:28 pm seconded by Bob Solomon with all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Gregson
Administrative Assistant