Present: John Badger (Chairman), Eric Botterman (Town Council representative), Diane Hardy (Town Planner), Rick McMenimen (Alternate), Janice Rosa, PeterRoy (Vice-Chairman), Val Shelton, Eric Weston, George Willant
Absent: Justin Norman (Alternate), Adam Schroadter (Alternate)
Chairman Badger called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Public Comments
Review and Approval of Minutes: 06/30/09, 07/14/09, 07/21/09
June 30, 2009
Vice-Chairman Roy noted on page 2 “pallet boats” should be “packet boats.”
Val Shelton noted on page 2, line 8 “visible” should be “observable.” On line 16, after “Val Shelton” should be the following: “clarified the recommendation did not include Heron Point and also stated that there are. . .” On page 4, line 25 “lead” should be “need.”
Action
Motion: Val Shelton made a motion to accept the June 30, 2009 minutes as amended.
Seconded: Vice-Chairman Roy
Vote: All in favor – Eric Botterman and Eric Weston abstained.
Eric Botterman and Eric Weston abstained from the vote because they had not been present at the meeting.
July 14, 2009
Town Planner Diane Hardy noted these minutes are not ready for review yet.
July 21, 2009
Town Planner Diane Hardy noted there are some changes that needed to be made after her discussion with Vice-Chairman Roy. Page 1, line 36 the Board had proceeded in a clockwise fashion. Page 3, line 44 the driveway narrows at the southeasterly end. Mr. Zecker’s name had been misspelled throughout the document. On page 4, line 37 a question had been raised about whether the crosswalk should be relocated.
Rick McMenimen noted he had been present for the site walk and had some changes that needed to be made. He noted there are a number of “that’s” that need to be removed. There are also a number of other mainly editorial changes. He provided those changes to Diane Hardy to be corrected.
Action
Motion: Vice-Chairman Roy made a motion to accept the July 21, 2009 site walk minutes, as amended.
Seconded: Eric Botterman
Vote: All in favor – John Badger and Janice Rosa abstained
Chairman Badger and Janice Rosa abstained from the vote because they had not been present for the walk.
Regular Business
Applicants: Newmarket Community Development Corporation/Newmarket Mills, LLC
Location: Main Street, Tax Map U2, Lots 365, 366, 367, 55, 56C, 60A, 61, Zone M1.
Proposal: There will be a public hearing for an application for Special Use Permit under the provisions of Section 2.01 of the M-1 District of the Newmarket Zoning Ordinance. The proposal is for the adaptive reuse of Newmarket mills, plus associated parking and public amenities. This adaptive reuse project will include 120 residential units within two mill buildings, over 25,000 square feet of non-residential space, artist live/work space, and 4,500 square feet of civic space. Parking will be provided on-site and at lots on the west side of Main Street.
Status: Continued from the July 14 Planning Board meeting.
Jeff Clifford from Altus Engineering, representing Newmarket Mills, LLC explained Jeff Spitzer, who works with Eric Chinburg, was also present. The Special Use Permit has been requested because the project is located at Tax Map U2, Lots 365, 365 & 367 in the M-1 District. The M-1 District does not allow residential units without a Special Use Permit. The proposal includes 120 residential units within N and N1 buildings. An application for Special Use Permit was submitted in May. The Board has reviewed the application in June and July; a Site Walk and several Technical Review Committee meetings have been held. A Site Plan application has also been submitted. He noted the department head letters have been received as well as reports from the independent engineers the Town hired to review the application. Town Planner Diane Hardy updated the Special Use Permit checklist. The project has demonstrated low impacts for the use proposed. The residential use provides a level of impact that is reasonable for this area of town and adequate for the site. He requested approval of the Special Use Permit application so the project can move into Site Plan Review. He noted the Special Use Permit checklist incorporates the recommendations of the Technical Review Committee from their last meeting.
Town Planner Diane Hardy noted there are additional copies of the Special Use Permit checklist available for the public.
Jeff Clifford noted there are a number of items on the Special Use Permit checklist that have been addressed at previous meetings. He would discuss the items on the checklist from July moving forward. He noted Eric Chinburg provided an email to the Town on July 14th clarifying the location of the proposed uses. The Technical Review Committee recommends environmental studies and assessments and State NHDES environmental permits be submitted to the Town’s Building Inspector prior to the issuance of building permit and various certifications for lead paint abatement and other hazard mitigation be submitted prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy for the project. The applicant is willing to follow this recommendation with a slight language change as was provided to Town Planner Diane Hardy in an email. Studies have been provided. He noted Eric Chinburg has provided a letter referencing the net positive fiscal impact to the Town. A letter, dated August 3, 2009, has also been submitted. He explained all review letters have been received. Several of these areas overlap with the Site Plan Review application; these items will be addressed at that time. The Town had the foresight to reserve water and sewer capacity for the development of the site. Steve Pernaw has submitted additional documentation relative to the traffic. He explained there have been discussions about the four entrances to the project; two on the east of Route 108 and two on the west of Route 108. Each of these entrances have been discussed within the reports relative to crossings and site distance. A DOT permit is pending with the expectation of having an answer soon. A pedestrian group crossing study was submitted on July 7th. Most of these issues will be addressed during Site Plan review. He noted it did not matter what redevelopment proposal went at this site, the pedestrian concerns would be an issue. Residential use demands fewer vehicles per square foot than commercial use. Residential uses would not demand an elevated amount of parking or access needs. During the site walk, traffic access and pedestrian crossings were discussed. A shared parking analysis was submitted on June 25, 2009. Mitigation to traffic concerns will be addressed during Site Plan Review phase of the application. A letter was submitted on July 31, 2009 from VHB, the Town’s review traffic engineer. There will be the need for negotiations to obtain access over a portion of the Town-owned portion of the Riverdale lot. He noted Eric Chinburg is working with the residents of Rivermoor Landing relative to access and the noise being generated. He will continue to work with residents and make reasonable mitigation efforts. The Technical Review Committee has recommended environmental assessments be provided to the Building Inspector prior to the issuance of building permits and environmental certifications prior to issuance of certificates of occupancy. The Technical Review Committee recommends granting a waiver on municipal service capacity study and utilities study based on letters received from town departments and the Town’s review engineer. The Technical Review Committee recommended the Town hire an independent civil engineering consultant to review utilities and transportation. The Town has hired Underwood Engineers and VHB. The definition of “active and substantial development” and “substantial completion” will be defined as part of the Site Plan review process. In addition to the application the following information has been submitted: certification of developable gross square footage by an architect or land surveyor; Waterfront Engineers, LLC letter regarding the weight limits; parking lease agreement; fire flows for sprinklers; and a warranty deed for the Durham Book Exchange. Town Planner Diane Hardy has submitted an application for urban exemption from the Shoreland Protection Ordinance on July 10, 2009. There has been a favorable review from the NH Office of Energy and Planning.
Town Planner Diane Hardy explained the NH Office of Energy and Planning has 30 days to review and provide comments before the application is sent on to the NHDES for their 30 day review and comment period. She suggested the Town should have a final answer by September 10, 2009.
Jeff Clifford explained the Waterfront Engineers, LLC letter was relative to the concern about gross vehicle weight behind Rivermoor Landing. It is suggested the gross vehicle weight limit be no more than 5,000 pounds. He noted the Technical Review Committee’s recommendation was to grant the Special Use Permit with conditions as the application has satisfied the criteria for the Special Use Permit.
Vice-Chairman Roy explained Planning Board members George Willant, Val Shelton, Peter Roy and Town Planner Diane Hardy formed the Technical Review Committee. The Technical Review Committee met first on June 23, 2009 with Zoning Administrator Dan Vincent, Public Works Director and Fie Chief Rick Malasky and Eric Chinburg for the purpose of evaluating whether the application from the Newmarket Mills, LLC involving a mixed-use redevelopment of the mills under the newly adopted M-1 Zoning Ordinance met the criteria for a Special Use Permit. Town Planner Diane Hardy presented a Special Use Permit organized checklist which enabled the Technical Review Committee to spend a minimal amount of time referencing the regulations since all phases of the process were set out in the form of a check-list of questions; most requiring simple yes or no answers. This format also gave the developer a step-by-step checklist to insure the project satisfied the requirements of Section 2.01. The Technical Review Committee determined the letters from the department heads of the Fire; Water and Sewer; Zoning, Health & Safety; Police; Recreation; School; Public Works; and Administration departments as well as the letter from Underwood Engineering on behalf of the Town regarding the adequacy of downtown utilities would suffice in lieu of requiring the developer to provide a Municipal Service Capacity Study. Eric Chinburg from Newmarket Mills, LLC agreed to provide copies of agreements and easements throughout the process. It was determined at this meeting the focus would be on Option 1, only the development of the mills with surface parking provided on the lots in back of the library. If the developer wished to shift to Option 2, which would include the commercial development of the westerly end of the parking area and construction of the two-level parking deck, the Special Use Permitting process would be revisited. After a full meeting of the Board which dealt with the mill redevelopment on July 14, 2009 and a mill site walk attended by a large contingent of the public held on July 21, 2009, the Technical Review Committee again met on August 3, 2009. There was healthy public participation at this meeting as well. Various aspects of the plan were discussed at length with recognition of the fact most of what needed to be addressed with regards to the Special Use Permit had been covered; other topics of discussion at that meeting would be revisited during the Site Plan Review process. As George Willant has pointed out at previous meetings, the Special Use Permit process is a process by which the Planning Board determines whether there are any “fatal flaws” in the use as presented. In this case, the Technical Review Committee saw none; therefore the Technical Review Committee recommends to the Planning Board the approval of the Special Use Permit and that the project move on to Site Plan review.
Val Shelton noted she agreed with the statement made and stated the checklist was immeasurable throughout the process.
Chairman Badger thanked the Technical Review Committee and Town Planner Diane Hardy for their effort and the effective way the process has been able to move forward.
Chairman Badger opened the public hearing at 7:41 p.m.
Rob Phillips of Rivermoor Landing thanked the Technical Review Committee. He asked whether the approval of the Special Use Permit allowed the project to move forward to Site Plan Review or whether this would approve the project. Town Planner Diane Hardy explained the approval of the Special Use Permit would approve the use for the property; the project application still needed to go through Site Plan review.
Rob Phillips asked if the Site Plan review process was the avenue to which concerns relative to circulation of traffic and pedestrians would be discussed. His concern was that the Special Use Permit not inhibit the Planning Board’s ability to review the application. He wanted the Board to know there are ongoing discussions with the developer, but he felt traffic circulation, as presented, will have obstacles to overcome. There is no agreement among Rivermoor Landing and the developer on the circulation plan as presented. Any plan that shows the majority of circulation flowing behind Rivermoor Landing will be problematic.
Sylvia von Aulock of 40 Elm Street apologized to the Planning Board if her comments from the previous meeting seemed over the top. This large development of 120 residential units and a potential grocery store raises a number of questions. She asked if the 120 residential units is a fixed number. The reason she asked was because of a question raised by an abutter for turning radius for delivery trucks as well as the parking below. There needs to be room for truck traffic. There are a number of improvements that need to be made. She asked if parking was reduced, does that indicate the number of residential units has also been reduced. Chairman Badger noted the truck radius and parking would be discussed as part of the Site Plan review. Town Planner Diane Hardy added the project is entitled 120 residential units under the ordinance.
Sylvia von Aulock referenced the public health criterion noting she has spoken with a number of residents of the development this developer has developed close by. There were reported rat and bat issues when that development was first developed. She asked whether this has been reviewed. She noted the age of the buildings and stated there are interesting basements and attics. Chairman Badger noted that would be part of the Site Plan review process and building permit process. Town Planner Diane Hardy noted Building Inspector Dan Vincent also doubles as the Town’s Health Officer, and will address any issues along those lines.
Sylvia von Aulock noted there is no phasing plan available. Considering the number of units and the traffic concerns, she asked why there was no phasing plan and why the developer was not planning on building out the first building to see the impacts before the second building was developed. She suggested the intersection by the library should be reviewed for safety. Town Planner Diane Hardy explained a phasing plan is not being proposed. The Planning Board cannot require a project to be phased. If this development was going to be done in phases, a phasing plan would then be reviewed.
George Willant noted the developer had explained the site infrastructure would be difficult to phase. The developer would do all the site work at once, finish the interior of building 1 and then work on the interior of building 2. Vice-Chairman Roy agreed stating the only phasing of the project would be that building 1 is fully developed into rental units. The units along the river are hoped to be condominiums and would be delayed somewhat but no time frame has been mentioned. The development of the units would be market driven. If the economy recovers faster than is expected building 2 will likely be built out at the same time. Both building exteriors will be finished at the same time. Val Shelton added the Planning Board needs to follow the Zoning Ordinance. Phasing a project is up to the applicant. If the applicant chooses to phase the project, the Planning Board then has to review the phasing plan. The developer for this application is not proposing a phased project.
Gerry O’Connell of 26 Grant Road and business owner of 90 Main Street noted he is also here on behalf of Jeremy and Brian Adams, fellow business owners along Main Street. From a business owner’s point of view he was concerned with the parking. There is two hour parking downtown currently. Business owners require employees to park elsewhere so the spaces along Main Street are available for customers. There are two municipal parking lots downtown; one is near the library and one is along the waterfront. There is currently permitted parking in the library parking lot along with free parking. He asked where business owners and employees would park once the parking lot is taken over by the developer. He noted he is not against the project but has concerns about the parking availability. Chairman Badger understood there have been a number of spaces allocated to the library; the developer has agreed to continue that arrangement. Parking would be discussed during Site Plan Review. Jeff Clifford answered there are 20 total spaces including the library spaces the developer will continue to segregate for the Town.
Town Planner Diane Hardy noted there are also 45 permitted parking spaces currently for overnight parking. She asked what the developer intended to do with these spaces. She had learned the current parking arrangement was not part of the developer’s proposal
Arlon Chaffee noted this would be part of the Site Plan review process. He explained there is a letter of agreement between the Town and NCDC requiring the developer to set aside 20 public parkng spaces. Newmarket Mills, LLC and NCDC have negotiated a lease purchase agreement, which he did not have available at that time but believed was a public document.
Town Planner Diane Hardy noted she has a copy of the lease, but has not read it yet. The lease agreement would be part of the Technical Review Committee review and Site Plan review process.
William Zecker of 53 Main Street noted he is the sole commercial abutter. He has raised his concerns in the past relative to truck traffic access. He expressed his concern with these buildings, which have mainly been used for commercial use, will now be changed to predominantly residential use. This will affect how he conducts his business on a daily basis. This will be taken up during the site plan review phase.
Chairman Badger closed the public hearing at 8:00 p.m.
Action
Motion: Val Shelton made a motion to waive the following studies required under Section 2.01(B)(2)(b)5 “Impact Criteria for Granting a Special Use Permit” of the Newmarket Zoning Ordinance for the application by the Newmarket Community Development Commission/Newmarket Mills, LLC, Main Street, Tax Map U2, Lots 365, 366, 367, 55, 56C, 60A, 61, Zone M1 for a Special Use Permit for the adaptive reuse of the Newmarket mills, plus associated parking and public amenities to include 120 residential units within two mill buildings, over 25,000 sq. ft. of non-residential space, artist live/work space, and 4,500 sq. ft. of civic space with parking provided on-site and at lots on the west side of Main Street:
Preparation and review of a fiscal impact assessment based on satisfactory letters submitted by RKG Associates and Town Tax Assessor Andy Blais;
Preparation of a report on municipal service capacity based on satisfactory review letters from all applicable Town Department Heads;
Traffic impact assessment and on and off-site improvement plan for pedestrian and traffic safety and a public utility and infrastructure (water, sewer, storm water management, parking, access) report subject to the condition these assessments, plans and reports shall be submitted and reviewed in detail during the Site Plan Review Regulations application stage of the proposed project;
Environmental studies relating to lead paint, asbestos and other on-site hazardous materials and impacts on adjoining properties subject to the condition that lead paint, asbestos and other on-site hazardous materials and unreasonable impacts from light, noise, or vibration shall be addressed at the Site Plan Review Regulations application stage of the proposed project.
Seconded: Vice-Chairman Roy
Vote: All in favor
Action
Motion: Val Shelton made a motion to approve the application by the Newmarket Community Development Corporation/Newmarket Mills, LLC, Main Street, Tax Map U2, Lots 365, 366, 367, 55, 56C, 60A, 61, Zone M1 for a Special Use Permit under the provisions of Section 2.01 of the M-1 District of the Newmarket Zoning Ordinance for the adaptive reuse of the Newmarket mills, plus associated parking and public amenities to include 120 residential units within two mill buildings, over 25,000 sq. ft. of non-residential space, artist live/work space, and 4,500 sq. ft. of civic space with parking provided on-site and at lots on the west side of Main Street based on the following:
The Planning Board has authority to grant a Special Use Permit under Section 1.09(A) of the Ordinance;
Upon the Board’s thorough review of the application and the Ordinance and upon due consideration of additional information submitted by the Applicant, reports from Town Department Heads and consulting engineers, and comments from the public:
The project meets the purpose of the M-1 District as defined in 2.01(A) and under 2.01(B)(2) is suitable for the location proposed and would not cause significant adverse impacts;
The proposed use is in compliance with 2.01(B)(2)(b)…
There is a mixture of complementary commercial and residential uses based on the master site development plan which will be fiscally beneficial to the Town, provide efficient use of public services, make opportunities for commercial, public, and multi-family dwelling units which will enhance the quality of the downtown, the riverfront and the historic nature of the district;
Uses are permitted by right in a Mixed Use Redevelopment;
The project involves the rehabilitation of existing mill structures;
The project meets the 70% residential and 30% non-residential use restrictions as adjusted by the residential bonuses which increase the allocation to a maximum of 82% residential and minimum of 18% non-residential uses based on the developable gross building area;
The project includes a minimum of 5% Artist Live/Work Space Units;
The Master Site Development Plan includes all items required;
The Applicant has demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Board that the criteria has been met or that submission of specific studies have been waived or certain studies will be addressed during the Site Plan Regulation Review application stage of the proposed development;
The proposed use meets the Dimensional Requirements of the ordinance including an additional bonus of 12% for residential units and square footage based on the application including at least 2% of the gross developable building area for interior public community and cultural space as well as public exterior amenities which include a courtyard, a park, formal urban space, and a fishing or waterfront viewing pier, together with landscaping and pedestrian-oriented amenities which integrate the mill redevelopment with the Main Street, the planned public river walk and adjacent public spaces and private properties.
This motion to approve is conditioned on the Applicant meeting the General Requirements of the Ordinance under Section 2.01(B)(2)(b)7 and subsequent approval of the proposed project under Site Plan Review Regulations.
Seconded: Vice-Chairman Roy
Vote: All in favor
Applicants: Newmarket Community Development Corporation/Fraternal Order of Eagles/Town of Newmarket/Newmarket Mills, LLC
Location: Main Street, Tax Map U2, Lots 365, 266, 367, M1 Zone and Tax Map U2, Lots 56C, 60A, 60B, 61, B1 Zone.
Proposal: There will be a public hearing for an application for site plan. The proposal is for the redevelopment of the Newmarket mill buildings to include residential units at each of the two mill buildings, as well as space for public and non-residential uses. Parking will be provided on-site and at lots on the west side of Main Street. The complete application is available to view at the Newmarket Planning Office, 186 Main Street, Newmarket, NH, during business hours.
Status: Continued from the July Planning Board meeting.
Jeff Clifford from Altus Engineering noted he has recently reviewed the comments from the Town’s review engineer. The Technical Review Committee meeting from last week centered on the Special Use Permit. There is a lot of information that needs to be reviewed. The applicant has submitted a letter requesting a continuance of the Site Plan review portion of the application to the next meeting in order to allow time to review the comments and address changes. He noted he is prepared to address the list of items discussed at the site walk.
Town Planner Diane Hardy agreed she had received a letter from Eric Chinburg requesting a continuance to the September 8th meeting.
Action
Motion: George Willant made a motion to continue the public hearing for the Newmarket Community Development Corporation/Fraternal Order of the Eagles/Town of Newmarket/Newmarket Mills, LLC Site Plan review application to the September 8, 2009 Planning Board meeting.
Seconded: Eric Botterman
Vote: All in favor
Rob Phillips asked if this continuance would add constraints to the time frame the Board has to grant a decision. Town Planner Diane Hardy explained the Board has 65 days from the date of application acceptance. This application was accepted on July 14th. The applicant and Board can agree to extend this time frame through continuances. Val Shelton noted the Board has 65 days to render a decision unless both the applicant and Board agree to a continuance.
Sylvia von Aulock asked if the Technical Review Committee meeting has been scheduled yet. Chairman Badger noted the Technical Review Committee meeting has not been scheduled yet.
Jeff Clifford referred to the minutes of the site walk noting the outlined items including:
Pedestrian linkage of the south Riverdale sidewalk. The developer has agreed to install a sidewalk to connect the parking lot to Route 108. This will require negotiations for an easement.
Ten foot vegetative buffer along Spring Street. Plantings will be provided along Spring Street to buffer the parking lot from traffic and neighboring residents’ views. There will be internal islands within the parking lot. The wall along Elm Street will buffer headlights onto Elm Street from the parking lot.
Sidewalk which terminates at the library. He suggested the Highway Public Safety Committee could provide input on this item.
Town Planner Diane Hardy noted the Highway Public Safety Committee met two weeks ago; a recommendation will be presented to the Town Council shortly. They felt the section of sidewalk along the side of library on Main Street should be removed. She has asked VHB as part of their traffic review to review this issue and provide comments. Val Shelton noted the Technical Review Committee had felt this is a Town issue, not necessarily an applicant issue.
Jeff Clifford continued addressing issues discussed at the site walk.
Curbing. This project is located within two different districts; M-1 and B-1 zones. The M-1 requires granite curbing. The B-1 zone requires granite or concrete curbing. The applicant will be requesting a waiver to allow bituminous curbing for portions of the project. If the parking lot site is ever redeveloped it would make more sense not to build a tremendous amount of infrastructure. This would be well away from the viewing area along the road way. He suggested Cape Cod berm bituminous paving works well; plows can ride over them without any difficulty. The traffic islands will be built as part of the project.
Increase width of north driveway to 20 feet. During the site walk it was noted the driveway is not a full twenty feet. The developer has agreed to increase that to 20 feet.
Durham Book Exchange truck traffic. Eric Chinburg has agreed to provide reasonable space for truck access.
Viewing area along Main Street. There are a number of steps and many transitions from the Main Street level to the waterfront level. This area will be landscaped. He showed the rendering of levels and viewing areas prepared by the landscape architect. The existing stairs near the Eagles building will be replaced. There will be a terrace to provide a viewing area followed by more stairs to another terrace which will be landscaped. There will be a public outlook by the bridge as well as a viewing area by the waterfront.
Pedestrian safety in parking area behind Buildings J, K, L and M. A crosswalk will be provided from the stairs to the public access area.
Public waterfront access. There have been discussions about benches, a railing system, plantings and fishing access. Eric Chinburg has not decided how to address these issues yet.
Access width in the rear of Rivermoor Landing. Rivermoor Landing residents would like to see the rear access of Rivermoor Landing as two way traffic. He was not sure this was possible. Eric Chinburg has been working with the landscape architect on traffic calming measures and how pedestrians can safely move across the site.
Throughway access of Rivermoor Landing and pedestrian safety. A 16 foot throughway will still allow two-way traffic around Rivermoor Landing and would also provide more protection for pedestrians due to the slower speeds. There will be stamped paving and lined crosswalks which will alert traffic to the oncoming pedestrians. The existing width of the entrance to Rivermoor Landing from Route 108 will remain the same. The access will taper to 16 feet as the road winds behind Rivermoor Landing.
ADA access. An ADA access point to the buildings will be provided.
Jeff Clifford explained the trees at the Riverdale lot will be kept if possible. Some drainage will need to be changed in order to accomplish this goal. Electrical improvements have been dealt with as part of the downtown revitalization project. He discussed some of the Technical Review Committee supplemental discussions including discussions about grease traps, propane tanks, the sign in front of the library, close end retaining wall, traffic islands, setback lines, ADA parking spaces, oil water separators, catch basins and smart sponges, utility plans. He noted there was a concern the sewer pipe behind Rivermoor Landing is old. Eric Chinburg has engaged an inspection company to inspect it; the pipe appears to be in good shape and the sewer department has agreed it does not need to be replaced.
Chairman Badger thanked the Technical Review Committee and Town Planner Diane Hardy for their effort on the Special Use Permit portion of this project and asked them to continue on for this portion of the application. All members agreed.
Town Planner Diane Hardy noted she would like to get the response from the Traffic Engineer before setting up the Technical Review Committee meeting, but tentatively set the meeting for Monday, August 24, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
Val Shelton asked about the size of the last parking space behind Rivermoor Landing in comparison to the parking spaces along Main Street. Jeff Clifford believed the parking spaces along Main Street to be eight feet. He discussed the parking space sizes proposed for this project.
Rob Phillips noted with the amount of traffic that will be generated from this property he did not understand why there are no-left turns onto Main Street at the northerly exit. Diane Hardy indicated the State Department of Transportation had determined this as part of their review because this is a difficult intersection. Jeff Clifford noted there are written responses from DOT that can be shared. The final permit has not been received, but DOT had indicated their desire to see no left turn out and no right turn in.
Rob Phillips expressed his interest with the discussions on improving the north exit. With the improvements, the traffic may use that access way more often which would alleviate traffic congestion behind Rivermoor Landing. Town Planner Diane Hardy noted if the state required the intersection to be a certain way, the Planning Board is unable to change that. Chairman Badger noted if the DOT remarks are in writing, he would be provided a copy.
New/Old Business
Town Planner Diane Hardy noted she has received the draft of the updated Water Resource Management Plan from the Strafford Regional Planning Commission. Some editorial changes still need to be made so tables are properly referenced. She hoped to have the final draft out to Planning Board members by the end of the week for review of the document for the September 8, 2009 Public Hearing.
Val Shelton asked for two copies for the Conservation Commission. George Willant noted he would bring a copy to the Open Space Commission.
Eric Weston asked if it is possible to get studies on how aquifers are determined. Town Planner Diane Hardy noted there are studies that have been done by CEI she can provide.
Chairman Badger asked for Planning Board members who represent other committees to provide an update.
Rick McMenimen noted the Strafford Regional Planning Commission held their Executive Committee meeting about a month ago and went over finances. They reviewed projects they are doing including rivers management and trying to commercialize Pease Air Force Base. They will be meeting again next Friday, but he will be unable to attend.
Chairman Badger noted the Black Bear TIF has sent the developer a letter stating the Town’s recommended position relative to the financial circumstances surrounding the infrastructure. The developer has received the letter and is expected to respond by Friday. There have been many discussions on the railroad crossing, water, sewer, a road and switch.
Vice-Chairman Roy expressed the frustration the CIP Committee is experiencing due to department heads not submitting their prioritized lists ahead of schedule. The CIP Committee is actively trying to be proactive. In order to comply with the regulations, the CIP Committee needs to have their budget recommendations to the Town Council by December.
Val Shelton noted the Conservation Commission is hoping the work being done to Schanda Park and Water Street will be completed in time for the Heritage Festival. The Commission holds boat tours of the Lamprey River during this festival. The Tree Ordinance was handed to Jim Bergeron. He would be following up with the Urban Forester from the NH Department of Resources and Development (DRED) and then would resubmit the ordinance to the Town Council.
Town Planner Diane Hardy noted the NH Office of Energy and Planning is holding their annual workshop on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at Loon Mountain. There are funds within the Planning Budget for Planning Board members to attend this conference. She felt it would be worthwhile to attend especially for new Planning Board members.
Rick McMenimen noted the Town of Newmarket received the 2009 Planning Award from the Strafford Regional Planning Commission. This award is now hanging on the wall in Council chambers for viewing.
Adjournment
Action
Motion: Janice Rosa made a motion to adjourn at 8:54 p.m.
