Town of Kensington
Planning Board Minutes
August 21, 2007
Approved September 18, 2007
In Attendance: Chair Joan Whitney, Vice-chair Mike Schwotzer, Bob Solomon, Theresa Wojcukiewicz, Jill Robinson, Rockingham Planning Commission Circuit Rider, and Richard Powers, Selectmen’s representative. Meeting called to order at 7:37 pm.
PUBLIC HEARING
Davlynn Development, LLC Revision - (Hudson Heights Subdivision) – Proposing a revised road entrance profile by adding a ditch line for drainage and removing the curbing. Joan Whitney recused and M. Schwotzer chaired this hearing. Chris Albert of Jones & Beach Engineering presented the proposal. He explained that it involved only the first two to three hundred feet of roadway. The original curbing was to avoid moving excess materials, but that is no longer an issue and it was agreed by all, including Road Manager David Buxton, to eliminate the curbing. He said this revision only affects plan T1. Mr. Albert presented a design analysis and proposed using an environmentally friendly Green Armor System which consists of EnKamat TRM infilled with Flexterra; a system that uses a mesh like material staked to the ground and hydro seeded. Richard Powers questioned the use of this versus rip rap and expressed concerns that this product does not have a known history and if it failed would cause a financial issue for the town. Following discussion it was agreed that the Board would like to see comments or a report from Christian Smith regarding the product and its performance.
Abutter, Peter Stackhouse, 232 Amesbury Road, expressed concerns regarding the water flow to the low area on the other side of the road and questioned why the water can’t be retained on the subdivision side of the road. M. Schwotzer explained that no greater water can flow than did prior to engineering. The proposed changes based on the design analysis should reduce the flow. Mr. Stackhouse will convey his concerns to Christian Smith.
Bob Solomon moved to have Christian Smith review the water calculations with regard to start and end point of flow and research suggested material and grass and allow the applicant to remove the curbing from the design. Hearing continued to the next meeting.
Hudson Heights – Request for bond reduction – M. Schwotzer moved to approve the two bond reductions of 48 % completion, seconded by Theresa Wojcukiewicz with all in favor.
Joan Whitney returned to Chair the meeting.
Amend Expedited Review Regulation – Proposing to amend a portion of the current town regulation Chapter III, Article 3.1H to read, “A Public Hearing will be required for all subdivisions with notice to abutters.” The current regulation does not require notice to abutters. Matt Brewer said he agreed with the change. M. Schwotzer moved to the change the regulation of Chapter III, Article 3.1H to require a public hearing and notice as published, seconded by Bob Solomon with all in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
Kimball, Paul – Mr. Kimball explained that in order to comply with the regulations of the town he must remove the pile of loam of approximately 3,000 cu yds. Per the conservation contract it has been assessed as personal property and all personal property must be removed. There is a pile roughly 200’ x 100’ that will be spread on site. He presented photos to the Board and said that since he isn’t digging down he doesn’t feel it should affect his current use status. Richard Powers suggested checking with Town Counsel. Jill Robinson said she doesn’t feel it’s a Planning Board issue since it isn’t an excavation. She thought it would be helpful to have a definition of “personal property” in this instance.
Bob Solomon left at 9:02 pm.
Delisio, Conrad – Preliminary consultation – Chapter III, Article 3.1G. Joan Whitney explained that this was a consultation only and not binding in any way. Mr. Delisio explained that he wants to work with the town and is considering contractor bays for businesses such as electricians, carpenters, plumbers, etc. His proposal could house twelve individual businesses of 1500 sq. ft. each. He said that there would not be any hazardous materials allowed and the state would waive fire suppression. M. Schwotzer suggested he read Chapter II, Article 9, District of Commercial and Industrial Use, and Chapter IV, Site Plan Review Regulation, of the Zoning Ordinance and Land Use Regulations.
OLD BUSINESS:
Elderly Housing Ordinance – Jill Robinson said she had removed the universal design provisions. Joan Whitney commented that the roads must conform to the town regulations, such as the length of the cul-de-sac. Jill Robinson said language will be added that development must conform to all other regulations. M. Schwotzer moved to hold a Public Hearing at the next Planning Board meeting, seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
Proposed Wind Energy Conversion Systems Zoning Ordinance – not discussed
Lot Dimension – not discussed
OTHER BUSINESS:
File deletion signoff – In compliance with RSA 33-A:3-a, six file records were requested to be deleted. Joan Whitney moved to give Denise permission to discard them, seconded by M. Schwotzer with all in favor.
Work Session – Selectmen and Road Manager request a work session(s) to review potential zoning ordinances. Richard Powers explained that they would like to add wording in the subdivision regulations regarding driveways so that they remain in compliance. While they are built properly with the negative 2% slope, many have then been paved eliminating the proper pitch. Jill Robinson replied that they recently did this for Newton and she will bring a copy for the Board to review. She suggested it not only be in the subdivision regulations but also in the town regulations for individually built homes to the effect that driveway paving must maintain the original grade.
Joan Whitney moved to close the meeting at 10:05 pm seconded by M. Schwotzer with all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Gregson
Administrative Assistant