April 24, 2014 Minutes

These minutes were posted by the Zoning.

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
TOWN HALL, 85 MAIN STREET
PITTSFIELD, NH 03263
MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING

DATE: THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2014

ITEM 1. Call to Order at 7:02 P.M. by Carole Dodge, Chairman

ITEM 2. Roll Call

Members Present:

Carole Dodge (CD), Chairman, Denis Beaudoin (DB), Paul Metcalf, Sr. (PM), John (Pat) Heffernan (PH), and Delores Fritz, Recording Secretary.

Members Absent:

Albert Douglas (AD), Alternate

ITEM 3. Approval of Minutes of January 9, 2014

(PH) Motion to approve Minutes of January 9, 2014.
(PM) Second. Carried 3-0. (DB) Abstain.

(PH) Motion to approve Minutes of March 20, 2014.
(PM) Second. Carried 3-0. (DB) Abstain.

ITEM 6. New Business

c. Signage

(CD) We have been requested to offer our opinion on sign which is being replaced/modified/raised for Robert Tarantino. I have looked at and I see no issue at all. It will be illuminated during certain periods of the day. It sits back.

(PH) It is on a pole and does not obstruct any views. I see no problem with it.

Mrs. Tarantino: It is pretty much now what it was before but bigger and will have an illuminated edge. It will be on a couple of hours in the morning and evening.

(CD) It notes in the Ordinances, “…..provided that any such signs do not constitute a nuisance, in the opinion of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, by emitting an unreasonable amount of light or noise and are compatible with the surrounding area.”

(CD) So, it is okay to go ahead as planned with sign. We will send our opinion to the Building Inspector, Jesse Pacheco.

ITEM 4. Public Hearing with respect to an application for a Special
Exception filed by Robert Wharem, 277 Webster Mills Road,
Pittsfield, NH 03263 for a combination Bingo Hall, Function
Hall, Consignment Shop and Auction Gallery located at 55
Barnstead Road, Pittsfield, NH 03263 (Tax Map R15, Lot 7)
and owned by 55 Barnstead Road LLC, (David Dillon, Jr.)
The property is located in the LIGHT INDUSTRIAL/
COMMERCIAL ZONE.

ITEM 5. Public Hearing with respect to an application for a Variance filed by Robert Wharem, 277 Webster Mills Road, Pittsfield, NH 03263 for an agricultural farmers market located at 55 Barnstead Road, Pittsfield, NH 03263 (Tax Map R15, Lot 7) and owned by 55 Barnstead Road LLC, (David Dillon, Jr.) The property is located in the LIGHT INDUSTRIAL/
COMMERCIAL Zone.

Robert Wharem explained his plans to utilize a now vacant structure and bring people into the community. He noted that he has been a resident of Pittsfield for about 16 years and since December 2013 is a licensed auctioneer. He noted that there would also be other auctioneers utilizing the space once or twice a week.

There is a sprinkler system, fire alarm, with proper egress sites. He noted it is already zoned for a flea market and for the auctions there would be seating for about 150 people. I want to contribute to the community and conduct a business. The farmer’s market would be for local farmers.

(CD) Before we proceed further, I will note that there are four members present tonight and you are entitled to have five in attendance.
Robert Wharem: We can proceed with hearing; I am fine with this.

(PH) Motion to approve acceptance of applications.
(PM) Second. Carried 4-0.

Variance – Farmers Market

CRITERIA:

Applicant went through the Criteria with the Board.

Robert Wharem noted that 1. There would be no parking on the side of the street but rather in the back. 2. It is already zoned for a flea market. 3. It would revitalize the downtown area. 4. It is not a permanent flea market and be well presented. 5. There are no conflicts. This would bring people into Town and especially the downtown area which would allow the public to walk to the facility. B. Hopefully, this will draw individuals.

(PH) I think it is a good idea. Robert Wharem: There is about 8,000 sq. ft. of the full area. There will be about one or two auctions a week. The facility will be leased to other auctioneers when not in use.

Public Input

Heidi Knight: I am not against this but would like to know the hours of operation. Robert Wharem: Most of the auctions will be indoors and conducted from about 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Bingo will be on Saturday nights from about 6:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. There will be no excessive noise. The only time an auction might be outside if it would be for some type of excavation equipment. Heidi Knight: What about lighting?
Robert Wharem: That would be up to the owner. The lights in the parking lot would face the other way.

Mark Riel: Lighting would be really necessary because of the location and it is pitch black at night. Robert Wharem: There would be no overhead lighting; possibly some generator lights and facility would be open till about 10:00 P.M. Mark Riel: The flea market, where will it be? Robert Wharem: Either on the back or side of the building. The cars would be on two sides. The biggest concern is parking maybe for the future. Mark Riel: It is the right area and the right venue. Robert Wharem: It will be geared to activity in the wintertime.

Mark Riel: What about the consignment shop hours? Robert Wharem: I have one now on Route 28 and one here. It depends on the group.

Close Public Input

(PH) Will the Bingo be in conflict with the church Bingo? Robert Wharem: Non-profits will be coming in and doing it.

(PM) Motion to grant Variance for Robert Wharem for Farmers Market located at 55 Barnstead Road, Pittsfield, NH 03263 (Tax Map R15, Lot 7) and owned by 55 Barnstead Road, Pittsfield, NH (David Dillon, Jr.)
(DB) Second. Carried 4-0.

(CD) advised applicant of thirty (30) day appeal process.

Special Exception – Bingo Hall/Function Hall/Consignment Shop/Auction Gallery – CRITERIA

Board and applicant reviewed each of the Criteria. Applicant noted that the water, bathroom facilities and everything else has been upgraded when it was a factory.

Public Input

None.

Close Public Input

(PH) Motion to approve Special Exception for Robert Wharem for a combination Bingo Hall/Function Hall/Consignment Shop/Auction Gallery for property located at 55 Barnstead Road, Pittsfield, NH (Tax Map R15,
Lot 7) property owned by 55 Barnstead Road LLC (David Dillon, Jr.) (PM) Second. Carried 4-0.

(CD) explained the thirty (30) days appeal process.

Robert Wharem left meeting at 7:43 P.M.

ITEM 6. – Continued

a. Election of Vice Chair

(PH) Motion to approve Carole Dodge as Chair.
(PM) Second. Carried 3-0. (CD) Abstain.

(PM) Motion to approve Pat Heffernan as Vice-Chair.
(DB) Second. Carried 3-0. (PH) Abstain.

b. Elected vs. Appointed Board Procedure

(CD) As of next year, the Board will be an elected Board as opposed to an appointed Board. Zoning Board can appoint Alternates. We will be our own working Board and will take care of ourselves.

Board discussed the possible procedure to address being an elected board with a staggered vote. It was noted that two individuals should be three year terms.

6. Welcome New Member

(CD) Welcome to Denis Beaudoin as a new member of the Zoning Board.

ITEM 7. Members Concerns

None.

ITEM 8. Public Input

Jim Pritchard: The selection of members should be researched back to original appointments to the Zoning Board as to terms.

ITEM 9. Adjournment

(PM) Motion to adjourn. (PH) Second. Carried 4-0.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 P.M.

Approved: April 8, 2014

_________________________ ____________________
Carole Dodge, Chairman Date

I hereby certify that these Minutes were recorded by me on April 24, 2014, transcribed and publicly posted on April 30, 2014.

____________________________________
Delores A. Fritz, Recording Secretary

No Attachments
Olympus 59.33