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

DATE: Thursday, DECEMBER 18, 2008

ITEM 1. Call to Order at 7:00 P.M. by Gerard Leduc, Vice-Chairman

ITEM 2. Roll Call

Members Present: Gerard Leduc (GL), Vice-Chairman, Marilyn Roberts (MR), Daniel Greene (DG), Larry Konopka (LK), Selectman Ex-Officio, Dan Schroth (DS), Alternate, Tom Hitchcock (TH), Alternate (Arrival at 7:18 P.M.) and Delores Fritz, Recording Secretary.

Members Absent:

Rich Hunsberger, (RH), Chairman, Robert Elliott (RE), and Fred Hast (FH).

Dan Schroth (DS), Alternate was seated on the Board.

ITEM 3. A Public Hearing for application for a Site Plan Review filed by Russell Downing Quality Homes, LLC, 63 Pineo Road, Barnstead, NH 03225 to add enclosed storage 122 ft. x 6 ft. across the front of the property known as Maxfields Ace Hardware located at 1002 Upper City Road, Pittsfield, NH 03263, Tax Map R21, Lot 12. The property is owned by Demes Investments LLC, 49 Pilgrim Street, Bedford, NH 03110. This property is located in the Light Industrial/Commercial Zone.

(LK) Motion to approve application as completed for Russell Downing Quality Homes, LLC to add enclosed storage in front of the property known as Maxfields Ace Hardware. (DG) Second. Carried 5-0.

Mr. Downing reviewed plans for the enclosed storage area. He related that the storage area would be utilized for storage of palletized storage items. Concrete has already been poured in that particular area as we took the three planters out that were located there. Board related that the only concerns were from the Fire Chief, which dealt with the interior of the structure, which will be addressed at the time the Building Permit is issued.

(DS) Motion to approve Site Plan Review for enclosed storage across the front of the property known as Maxfields Ace Hardware. (MR) Second. Carried 5-0.

(GL) A member of the audience arrived and was questioned whether he was here to address the Site Plan Review. He noted that he was not.

ITEM 4. Approval of Minutes of December 4, 2008.

(DG) Motion to approve Minutes of December 4, 2008. (DS) Second. Carried 5-0.

ITEM 5. New Business
1. Petition – Zoning Ordinance Amendments

(GL) We have received a citizen Petition for Zoning Ordinances Amendments. I have requested that all Board members receive a copy of this Petition for review. (DS) suggested that Board have a joint hearing on same night for the citizen petition and the Planning Board proposed amendments. Board agreed that it would be prudent to have these hearing on separate nights.

Public Hearing will be scheduled on January 8, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. at Town Hall. Notice for this hearing will be posted on Monday, December 22nd.

Public Hearing will be scheduled for January 15, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. at Town Hall for Planning Board Proposed Zoning Ordinances Amendments.

(GL) Short Break. 7:12 P.M. Board resumed at 7:17 P.M.

Tom Hitchcock arrived and was seated on the Board (7:18 P.M.)

2. Work Session – Proposed Zoning Ordinances Amendments

(GL) It has been suggested that rather than presenting the proposed changes as originally presented, that Board center on ten items, which they feel, would be most beneficial. We need to make sure this Board is in total agreement on voting whether to go with just ten items or the entire proposed changes as originally presented.

(LK), (MR), (TH), (DG), and (GL) all agreed that only ten proposed changes should be before the public. (DS) noted that the original entire Proposed Zoning Ordinances should go forward. Majority agrees Board will choose the ten most important items to present.

(DS) “I have one thing to say. In the last ten years, what has the Planning Board done for job creations in Pittsfield? Can we keep this in the back of our minds?”

(GL) This Board is in major agreement that we go forward with ten items. We need to vote on this. We need to be prepared to explain our position at the Public Hearing.

(LK) Motion to present ten items or less of proposed Zoning Ordinances Amendments. (MR) Second. Carried 4-1 (DS). (GL) Abstain.

Short Break 7:30 P.M. Board resumed at 7:35 P.M.

(GL) After the Public Hearing (ITEM 3) for the Site Plan Review, no Public Hearing was asked for, so I am asking that the Motion/Second be withdrawn and we then have Public Input prior to the Motion/Second.

(DG) Withdraw Motion. (MR) Withdraw Second.

Tom Hitchcock will be recusing himself since he was not present during the original presentation. (TH) was seated in the audience.

PUBLIC INPUT

Jim Pritchard noted, “This is illegal. You already voted.”

(GL) Since there is no other public input,

Close Public Input

(DG) Motion to approve Site Plan Review for enclosed storage across the front of the property known as Maxfields Ace Hardware. (MR) Second. Carried 5-0.

(TH) returned and was seated on the Board

Board resumed Work Session

Board reviewed the entire list of Table l – Zoning Districts and Uses and approved the following be included as proposed changes to the Zoning Ordinances:

Agriculture – Commercial 6-0
Bakery 6-0
Cluster Development 6-0
Greenhouse 6-0
Restaurant 5-1 (DS)
Truck, Heavy Equipment &
Trailer Repair 6-0
Two-Family Dwelling 6-0
Delete Manufacturing Housing Pk. 5-1 (DS)

Board agreed 6-0 to include definition of Frontage in Article 3 – Definitions.

The addition of Density and Size pertaining to Cluster Developments will be included as noted.

Structures Exempt from Setbacks will read as follows:

Fences, driveway, flagpoles, light poles, electric and phone boxes, signs, sidewalks and curbing.

(LK) encouraged all members of the Board to be prepared for any and all questions posed during the Public Hearing.

ITEM 6. Selectman’s Report – Fred Hast, Selectman Ex Officio

(LK) Fred is not present tonight but he is the new Selectman and will carry out John Lenaerts terms and will be the Board of Selectman representative.

This Board did a lot of good work presenting what we proposed.

ITEM 7. Building Inspector Report

Kyle Parker noted that he had reviewed the proposed Zoning Ordinances Amendments. “I think cutting it down is a good idea. It contains too much to put in front of the public to vote on.”

Building Inspector noted that Conservation is concerned how the Pittsfield Self Storage site is being developed. They are not complying with the Site Plan. There are two separate lots out there and they are cutting down a lot of the trees. (MR) noted she thought they might be starting to cut into their buffer zone. (LK) suggested BI contact LGC regarding a Site Walk of the property. Permission is required by property owner for a Site Walk. Perhaps, someone from Conservation could accompany us. You can tell by the plans what wetlands have been violated. I would suggest calling and getting some legal advice on this matter. Kyle Parker, Building Inspector, to do.

ITEM 8. Members Concerns

(DG) What about Intent to Cut (Pittsfield Self Storage)? (LK) We need to check to see if Intent to Cut has been requested and approved.

(LK) suggested Vice-Chair contact LGC regarding protocol concerning Public Input after the Site Plan Review vote. (GL) to do.

ITEM 9. Public Input

Mr. Pritchard noted, “When you call LGC, tell them you took Public Input after the vote.”

Close Public Input

ITEM 10. Adjournment

(MR) Motion to Adjourn. (LK) Second. Carried 6-0.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M.

Approved: January 22, 2009

____________________________ _________________________
Gerard Leduc, Vice-Chairman Date

II Tapes