Pittsfield Planning Board
Town Hall, 85 Main Street
Pittsfield, NH 03263
Minutes of Public Meeting
SEPTEMBER 20, 2007
ITEM 1. Call to Order at 7:04 P.M. by Eric Bahr, Chairman.
ITEM 2. Roll Call
Members Present: Eric Bahr (EB), Chairman, Bill Miskoe (BM), Vice-
Chairman, Fred Hast (FH), Rich Hunsberger (RH), Daniel Greene (DG), and
Delores Fritz, Recording Secretary.
Members Absent: Paul Metcalf, Jr. (PM), John Lenaerts (JL), Selectman Ex
Officio, Peter Newell (PN), Alternate, Chris Conlon (CC), Alternate.
ITEM 3. Approval of Minutes July 5, 2007, August 2, 2007 and
August 16, 2007
(RH) Motion to approve Minutes of July 5, 2007. (FH) Second.
Carried 3-0.
(BM) Motion to approve Minutes of August 2, 2007. (RH) Second.
Carried 3-0.
(BM) Motion to approve Minutes of August 16, 2007. (RH) Second.
Carried 3-0.
ITEM 4. Work Session
(EB) noted that he had paper copies of disc of proposed Zoning Ordinances
changes prepared for Board members and distributed them to those present.
He noted that the text is color coded as follows:
Blue: As the Zoning Ordinance currently exists;
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Black: Proposed; and
Red: Commentary in reference to the definition/text.
Since we are in the process of revising the Zoning Ordinances, we can
compare them and note any proposed changes. During the last Work
Session, we decided we would cover definitions tonight.
As you know, there was no meeting on September 6th and other than the
scheduled Work Sessions for October, November and December, if there ar e
no public hearings scheduled for the other meeting dates, we will hold a
Work Session for those dates also. If there is nothing scheduled other than
the one Public Hearing for the Pittsfield Youth Baseball Association on
October 4th, we can continue that meeting as an additional Work Session.
We have a great deal to do.
(EB) deferred to (BM) who he related had spent time working on these.
(BM) Let us begin on Page 35.
Members of the Board reviewed the following various definitions and
though not in their final form, tentatively approved them. Board members
agreed that they would tentatively suffice until the final draft.
The following definitions were accepted as printed in the text:
Accessory Apartment Accessory Building
Accessory Structure Accessory Use
Adult Business Establishment Airport/Heliport
Amusements Apartment
Bakery Building Accessory
Building, Predominant Cemetery
Condominium Conforming Lot
Conservation restriction Contiguous
The following definitions were deleted completely:
Conditional Use Conference Center
Executive and Administrative Office for Business, Govt., Professional Use
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The following definitions were reviewed and revised:
Abutter Agriculture
Apartment Building Auto Repair Shop
Automobile Dealer Bed and Breakfast
Building Business Office
Campground Church
Combined Dwelling/Business Density
A complete new definition for Hotel/Motel/Conference was devised.
(BM) felt that any definitions more than two paragraphs long would be too
long and should be condensed. Because of the possible changes, it will be
necessary to change our Table of Uses as well.
(RH) felt that the sequence is wrong for Special Exception with the Zoning
Board. (BM) noted that the only mechanism is the Zoning Board. (EB)
related that possibly we can change how the Special Exception process
works. (RH) noted that we could write Special Exception criteria, if they
meet it, they get it. (EB) Regardless, we need to check to see what can be
done about modifying the Special Exception process.
Board agreed that they would like to add a definition for Pet Cemetery and
allowed usage areas. However, that would be dealt with at a future Work
Session.
Break at 8:35 P.M. Return at 8:48 P.M.
(EB) Since Cluster is a lengthy definition, we can dig into it at a later date
rather than tonight after members have had a chance to review it as printed.
ITEM 5. Selectman’s Report
None.
ITEM 6. Members Concerns
None.
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ITEM 7. Public Input
Mr. Pritchard related that he had been taking some notes during the course
of the meeting. He related to Board that in this process of accepting
definitions, there are rules that must be followed and not just looking at a
definition. He related that the definitions are governed by the Statutes, Case
Law and finally by Webster’s Dictionary. “You have done a few thing that
will come back to haunt you.” I came tonight to answer any questions since I
am “one” with this presentation. The Special Exception is under the
jurisdiction of the Zoning Board and is governed by Statute.
(EB) related that Board had a lengthy input and discussion of the various
definitions. Once all is completed, we can review it and will be able to
comment more fully.
ITEM 7. Adjournment
(BM) Motion to Adjourn. (DG) Second. Carried 3-0.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M.
Approved: October 18, 2007
_____________________________ ____________________
Eric Bahr, Chairman Date