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

DATE: MAY 15, 2008

ITEM 1. Call to Order at 6:56 P.M. by Rich Hunsberger, Chairman

ITEM 2. Roll Call

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

Members Absent:

None.

ITEM 4. Approval of Minutes of May 1, 2008

(LK) Motion to approve Minutes of May 1, 2008. (RE) Second.
Carried 8-0. (DG) Abstain.

ITEM 3. Work Session

All members of the Planning Board were seated to revise Zoning Ordinances.

(RH) “You all got a copy of the new Zoning Ordinances.” I made a list of suggested setbacks for fences and other setbacks when we get to that section for structure setbacks.

Board continued with proposed changes to Use Table I of the Zoning Ordinances (which is revised and indicated below).
(LK) It was suggested that when we do this, we go by zones. (RE) related, “You have to do it both ways to be accurate.” (LK) I reviewed each section and saw more that we could put in. Board members discussed different zones and the potential uses reviewing what was suggested at last meeting.

(RE) explained that where it is left blank or an “E” is indicated, that it is necessary that applicant go before both Zoning and Planning Boards. Where a “Y” is indicated, then it is necessary that they only go before the
Planning Board. (RH) Where an “E” is indicated, we can add criteria for that particular zone. (RE) We can make something an allowance but in the definition put in parameters and/or conditions around it. Board continued to review suggested changes they had made at last meeting. (FH) Regarding Automobile Dealers or Auto Shop in Suburban, I am against that. People like to live quietly. (RH) noted that in actuality, the car dealership that was approved by the Zoning Board across the street, really should go before the Planning Board for a Site Plan Review. (RH) On Boarding Stable, we would want to add criteria. Dan, what is needed for each individual horse? (DG) Each horse should have one-half to one acre and there has to be room to move about. (RH) We would need to have minimum requirements.

Board discussed requiring Department Heads time limits for approvals or disapprovals. (RE) We could write into the Ordinances that Department Heads are required to have certain time limits. It was agreed that the Uses Table would be modified extensively but with criteria attached to many of the uses.

Board agreed:
Executive & Administrative Office for Business, Govt. or Professional
Use – Deleted completely.

Forestry – Deleted completely.

Light Industrial – Deleted completely.

Manufactured Housing Park – Deleted completely.

No. 18 – Flea Market: Board noted that it is a business venture.
(GL) related that definition could be changed. (RH) noted that many times yard sales become daily/weekly events and Board could have hours of limitation. Parking criteria for yard sales would not be necessary though would be for flea markets.

No. 19 – Fuel Storage (Oil & Propane): (RH) We are not talking about home propane tanks. Some of these would be grandfathered. We could write criteria that it has to be on Route 28. (GL) Or only individuals with welding shops.

Recess 8:17 P.M. Resume 8:21 P.M.

No. 22 – Health Club/Indoor Sports Facility: It was noted that the same criteria as No. 5 could be used for this.

No. 23 – Home Occupation: (MR) Could your Urban Zone “grow out?” (RH) “I could see the Urban Zone becoming part of the Suburban Zone with water and sewer.

No. 25 – In-Law Apartments: (RH) I think that there should be criteria in some zones in existing homes but if you build one, it would be different.

No. 26 – Junk Yards: (DG) We can be as restrictive as we want.
(RH) suggested that lots be larger and that there be excessive buffer zones. I would not think we would want it in a housing area. We need to write Criteria for that also. It is better to allow something with Criteria than not allow it within the zone at all. We also could note within the Criteria a decimal noise level for businesses.

(RH) This ends the first page of the Table of Uses. (RE) If it is not listed than a Variance would be required. (RH) Next meeting, we can start thinking about residential uses. Duplexes make a lot of sense.

End of Work Session

ITEM 6. Selectman’s Report

(LK) noted that there was really nothing to report. He requested (RH) comprise a letter notifying the individuals with the proposed car dealership on Main Street that they would have to apply for a Site Plan Review.
(RH) noted that he would do this.

ITEM 7. Building Inspector Report

None.

ITEM 8. Members Concerns

None.

ITEM 9. Public Input

None.

ITEM 5. New Business

(RH) It was briefly noted that the CNHRPC has requested that the Board suggest someone as member. Tom Hitchcock is presently on the Committee, would you like to continue? (TH) noted he wouldn’t mind but that anyone can come to the meetings. (GL) volunteered to be representative.

ITEM 10. Adjournment

(RE) Motion to Adjourn. (TH) Second. Carried 8-0.

Meeting adjourned at 9:22 P.M.

Approved: June 5, 2008

____________________________ _________________________
Rich Hunsberger, Chairman Date

TABLE 1
ZONING DISTRICTS AND USES

(*DENOTES CRITERIA)

USES ZONING DISTRICTS URBAN SUBUR RURAL COMM LT.IND/COMM 1. Accessory Uses/Bldgs Y Y Y Y Y 2. Adult Business Establishment E 3. Agriculture Commercial Y Y Y Y 4. Airport/Helipad Y Y Y Y 5. Amusement (Indoor & Outdoor) E E* Y Y 6. Automobile Dealers (new & used) Y* Y* Y* Y 7. Auto Body Shop Y* Y* Y Y 8. Bakery Y Y* Y Y Y 9. Bed & Breakfast Established Inn Y Y Y Y Y 10. Boarding Stable Y* Y* Y 11. Business Office Y Y Y Y Y 12. Campground/RV Park Y* Y Y 13. Cemetery Y* Y* Y* 14. Church Y Y Y Y Y 15. Cluster Development E Y Y 16. Combined Dwelling/Business Y Y Y Y Y 17. Conservation Uses Y Y
TABLE 2
DIMENSIONAL REGULATIONS

18. Flea Market Y* Y* Y* Y* Y*

19. Fuel Storage (Oil & Propane) Y
20. Funeral Home Y* Y* Y* Y* Y*
21. Greenhouse Y Y Y Y
22. Health Club/Indoor Sports Facility Y* Y* Y* Y* Y*
23. Home Occupation Y Y Y Y Y
24. Hotel/Motel/Conference Center Y Y Y Y Y
25. In-Law Apartments Y* Y* Y* Y* Y*
26. Junk Yards Y* Y* Y*
27. Kennel E* E*

28. Lumber Yard Y Y Y
29. Manufactured Home Y Y Y

30. Marine Facilities Y* Y* Y* Y* Y*
31. Medical Center/Hospital Y Y Y Y Y

32. Multi-Family Dwelling
33. Nursery/Day Care Y Y Y Y Y
34. Nursing, Convalescent Facility Y Y Y Y Y
35. Park/Recreation Y Y Y Y Y
36. Parking Facility Y Y Y Y Y
37. Personal Service Y E Y Y
38. Plazas, Malls, Multiple Use Business Parks E Y
39. Repair Shop Y E Y Y
40. Research & Development Offices, Medical & Testing Laboratories E Y
41. Restaurant E E Y Y
42. Retail Sales Y Y E
43. Sawmill Y Y
44. Sawmill – Lumber mills
45. School E E E E E
46. Self Storage Facilities E E
47. Service Stations Y
48. Single Family Dwelling Y Y Y
49.Theater E Y Y
50. Truck, Heavy Equip & Trailer Repair E
51. Two Family Dwelling E Y Y
52. Veterinary Hospital E Y
53. Warehouse & Wholesale Marketing Y
Key: Y = Permitted Use, E= Special Exception (A blank space indicates that the use is not permitted and that a Variance would be required.)

Zones Lot Size Frontage Setbacks
Front Side Rear Height
Urban 1/4 Acre 50’ 10’ 10’ 10’ 35’
Suburban 1 Ac. (with municipal water & sewer) 150’ 25’ 25’ 25’ 35’
Suburban (cont.) 1-1/2 Ac. (without municipal
water & sewer) 150’ 25’ 25’ 25’ 35’
Rural 2 Acres 225’ 50’ 25’ 25’ 35’
Commercial 1/4 Acre 50’ 10’ 10’ 10’ 35’
Light Industrial/
Commercial 1 Acre 150’ 25’ 25’ 25’ 35’

TABLE 3
MINIMUM PARKING REQUIREMENTS

TYPE OF USE # OF DESIGNATED SPACES
Dwelling & Apartments 2 Per Dwelling Unit
Hotel, Motel, Tourist Home, or Lodging Houses 1 Per sleeping room plus one per 5 seats in ancillary restaurants and 1 per 500 sq ft of other areas
Dormitories, Fraternity & Sorority House 1 for every 2 beds
Elementary School, Junior High 1 per 500 sq ft gross floor area plus 1 for each teaching station
High Schools, Colleges 1 per 500 sq ft gross floor area plus 1 for each teaching station