Town of Kensington
Planning Board Minutes
August 19, 2008
Approved September 16, 2008
In Attendance: Chair Joan Whitney, Mike Schwotzer, Steve Wilson, Theresa Wojcukiewicz and Dylan Smith, Rockingham Planning Commission Circuit Rider. Richard Powers, Selectmen’s Representative, arrived at 7:48, Peter Merrill arrived at 7:50 pm and Bob Solomon arrived at 8:02 pm.
Meeting called to order at 7:40 pm.
Approval of June 17, 2008 minutes – Steve Wilson moved to approve the minutes of June 17, 2008, seconded by Joan Whitney with all in favor.
Driveway Permits – David Buxton presented three:
· Johanna Rice, 180 Drinkwater Road, new lot. Steve Wilson moved to approve the application, seconded by Theresa Wojcukiewicz with all in favor.
· Stephen Osciak, 2 Muddy Pond Road, modified the old driveway. Joan Whitney moved to approve the application, seconded by M. Schwotzer with all in favor.
· Daniel Tirone, 189 Amesbury Road. Mr. Buxton explained that the driveway had already been put in but doesn’t have the negative 2% pitch required. As explained at the last meeting, two driveways currently exist. If approved by the Board this is only permitted as a second driveway. If the north section is reopened this driveway would be closed down as no more than two driveways are allowed per ordinance, Ch 5, Art. 2.5b. M. Schwotzer moved to conditionally approve this driveway application subject to: a) residential lot driveway; b) second driveway on the lot; c) if any other driveway is constructed this permit is null and void; and d) a building permit is conditional on the driveway being corrected to have a negative 2% pitch. Joan Whitney seconded the motion with all voting in favor.
NEW BUSINESS:
Felch Gravel Pit – Mr. and Mrs. Felch attended explaining that they are still in phase 1. A letter dated today from resident Harold Bragg was reviewed. David Buxton explained to the Board that the stone entrance was constructed through him to improve drainage as the paving underneath was allowing too much runoff. He explained that the driveway was scraped down and then the stone was put in place. Steve Wilson addressed the state requirements and suggested the Felches discuss this with the site engineer. M. Schwotzer moved that the Felches come back to the Board within the next month or month after with a copy of the state required plan, seconded by Joan Whitney with all in favor.
Workforce Housing – Legal requirements of SB 342-FN-LOCAL-674.58, 59, 60 & 61 which goes in to effect July 1, 2009. The analysis explains that this bill: 1) requires municipalities that exercise the power to adopt land use ordinances to provide opportunities for the development of workforce housing, and 2) established a mechanism for expediting relief from municipal actions which deny, impede, or delay qualified proposals for workforce housing.
Dylan Smith provided a simplified breakdown of the law. Some of the highlights are:
· All municipalities must provide reasonable and realistic opportunities [economically viable] for the development of workforce housing [renter family of 3 making 60% or owner family of 4 making 100% of Area Median Income], including rental and multi-family housing. (Definition of affordable – no more than 30% of income should be spent on housing, which includes rent + utilities or mortgage principal and interest, taxes and insurance.)
· Workforce housing of some type must be allowed in a majority of land area (51%) where residential uses are permitted (but not necessarily multi-family [5 or more dwelling units] in a majority of such areas).
· Appeal for denial or conditions that have a substantial adverse effect on the project’s viability is Superior Court. “Builder’s Remedy” shall include affordability restrictions on workforce housing units.
Members discussed various options including establishing a multifamily district, developing a regulation or ordinance, or working with the developer through incentives. Joan Whitney asked that the members think about what they want to do while being sensitive to goal and impact.
Steve Wilson moved to adjourn at 9:20 pm seconded by Richard Powers with all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Denise Gregson
Administrative Assistant