Pittsfield Planning Board
Town Hall, 85 Main Street
Pittsfield, NH 03263
Minutes of Public Meeting

DATE: April 3, 2008

ITEM 1. Call to Order at 7:00 P.M. by Rich Hunsberger, Chairman

ITEM 2. Roll Call

Members Present: Rich Hunsberger (RH), Chairman, Gerard Leduc (GL), Vice-Chairman, Larry Konopka (LK), Selectman Ex-Officio, Fred Hast (FH), Marilyn Roberts (MR), Daniel Greene (DG), Robert Elliott (RE), Daniel Schroth (DS), Tom Hitchcock (TH), and Delores Fritz, Recording Secretary.

Members Absent:

None.

ITEM 3. A Public Hearing for application for a Boundary Line
Adjustment filed and owned by Steven and Donna Keeley,
256 True Road, Pittsfield, NH 03263 (Tax Map R-06, Lots 10A and16). The Boundary Line Adjustment would increase the
existing residential lot (Tax Map R-06, Lot 16) by 0.886 acres. These properties are located in the RURAL Zone. Boundary
Line Adjustment Plan prepared by Brown Engineering,
14 Leavitt Road, Pittsfield, NH 03263.

(LK) Motion to approve application. (DG) Second. Carried 7-0.

Discussion:

Dennis Brown appeared as representative for Steven and Donna Keeley. Mr. Brown noted that a map had been submitted to the Board, which better illustrates what is and what will be. (DG) Is there currently a home on the property? Mr. Brown noted, “Yes.” Right now we would like to make the existing lot a conforming lot. (RH) “Do you propose to build a barn? Part of the land is in current use.” (GL) There are several wells on the property. Are you using that part of the property (indicating a specific area)? Mr. Keeley indicated that they were not. That is where the original barn was; it was hit by lightning and burned. We intend to build a barn, setting it into the hillside so one could drive into it with a 50 ft. setback. (GL) noted that he liked the idea that they were making it into a conforming lot. Mr. Keeley explained a little of the history of the property.

(GL) Motion to approve Boundary Line Adjustment as presented.
(BE) Second. Carried 7-0.

(RH) The thirty-day appeal process was explained to applicants. When the building permits are issued, it will be necessary that you also pay the current use penalty.

ITEM 4. Building Inspector Report

Michael McLaughlin, BI, indicated that concerning 12 Broadway, that on Monday, April 7th, the property would be inspected by Fire Chief, Fire Marshall and himself concerning the pallets and other matters now that litigation is complete.

He also noted that he had left some printed matter for the Board regarding Elderly Housing from several Towns and (DS) also has one from Chichester.

(FH) questioned exactly what they would be inspecting at 12 Broadway? Are you going to do a walk-in inspection referring back to the original site plan approval? BI explained that this would be “a whole new plan, as he is in violation of Site Plan.” He related that Town would like to do now what we could not before because our hands were “tied” due to litigation.

ITEM 5. Approval of Minutes of March 20, 2008

(FH) Motion to approve Minutes of March 20, 2008. (BE) Second.
After discussion and some corrected dialogue: Carried 7-0.

ITEM 6. Selectman Report

(LK) noted that all is going well, the Board is adjusting and are encouraging you guys to keep up the good work.

ITEM 7. New Business

(LK) related that he would like to encourage Board to start working on CIP.
(RH) noted that he is not “up on that yet” but understands members concerns. He noted that he would like to re-vamp the applications and have four separate applications for Major Sub-division, Minor Sub-division, Boundary Line Adjustment, and Voluntary Lot Line Adjustment. He related that he would work with Mike on updating these applications.

ITEM 8. Members Concerns

(TH) related that there was an article in New Hampshire Business
Magazine about “Zoning Out.” It indicates that there is no consistency in New Hampshire. The long and short of it notes that there are places where no zoning exists and then many small towns where it goes overboard. Many towns are trying to keep developers out. Pittsfield needs to set a new precedent for development. Central New Hampshire Planning Board talks about doing a “build-out” which can be a reference for new developers. We should look at Pittsfield and get something going.

(RH) related a short story about his tenure on zoning board in another town. Another thing that I have noted going into the Heights, that zone is called a Gateway Zone. If Route 28 corridor was a gateway zone, it would be good for Pittsfield.

(TH) noted that New Hampshire is the second fastest growing state, second to Florida.

ITEM 9. Public Input

James Theodore questioned the Board if there were any plans on bringing businesses into Town?

(RH) noted that he had discussed this with Leon Kenison, T/A who had discussed with economic developer who would like to assist in attracting businesses into Town. We have two years to make revisions for the Town.

Jim Pritchard noted that if you read the article as noted by (TH) that Manchester has model zoning ordinances.

(TH) questioned how things were going with CNHRPC and if they could assist Town in getting developers. (RH) “Leon notes that they are open to assisting us in pursuing some avenues.” (MR) noted that the gentlemen Rich is referring to is from the CNHRPC and pending approval, will start assisting us in doing something with development.

Mr. Theodore questioned whether the Board could assist in putting a sign on Route 28 for people to “come into Town.” (LK) noted that we do have a meeting with the Zoning Board of Adjustment on April 17th and the Economic Development Committee on May 1st and then maybe we can have a joint meeting. Mr. Theodore related that this sounded good and he would be coming back to additional meetings.

Close Public Input

OTHER

(FH) noted that at another Board meeting, he had asked to be on HSA Committee. He noted that there were some comments because of conflict with his wife also being on that Committee. “I would like to step away from that. I would be willing to be the Planning Board representative for Conservation.”

(MR) Motion to approve Fred Hast as Conservation Committee representative. (BE) Second. Carried 7-0.

(GL) Motion to approve Bill Elliott as representative to HSA and accept Fred Hast resignation from that Committee. (LK) Second. Carried 7-0.

(RH) indicated that he would like to say a few things. “I feel we need to go over the Zoning Regulations. We could do so many pages at a time. My idea is to start with say Pages 1-7, which would get us through our uses. We need a lot more uses.”

(RE) related that if Board was going to do this, that about four years ago when Tom Hitchcock and I were on committee together, we had made some changes and it might be helpful to resurrect those. I sat on Zoning Board for six years and perhaps, those suggestions could be added. (RH) “I would suggest doing it again.” (TH) “Sometimes it helps to go back to go forward.” I would suggest that all of you read this article. Builders are very frustrated.

Second Open Public Input

Mr. Pritchard related, “Mr. Hunsberger, in the past you had some specific objections to the Citizen Petition Zoning Ordinances Amendments and I would like to have you make some specific comments regarding your objections. (RH) noted that he had no plans to address that. I believe this should be coming from the Planning Board. We should be starting with small changes. I do not recommend the Citizen Petition. Mr. Pritchard again questioned (RH) in regard to his specific objections. (RH) noted that he did not like the road frontages and the definition of sub-division regulations. Mr. Pritchard, “Could you tell me the reason why not?”
(RH) noted because it had to be on a 20-acre plot. Mr. Pritchard related that he would like to discuss this with him. (RH) noted that he did not plan on doing that. I plan on making some good recommendations. (TH) noted that the citizens of Pittsfield elected the Planning Board, and Board members should be allowed to do their job.

Close Second Public Input

ITEM 10. Adjournment

(LK) Motion to adjourn. (DG) Second. Carried 7-0.

Meeting adjourned at 7:30 P.M.

Approved: April 17, 2008

_____________________________ _________________________
Rich Hunsberger, Chairman Date