SOUTH BERWICK PLANNING BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
February 5, 2008
7:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Dennis Smith (Chairman), Richard Clough, Mimi Demers, Brad Christo, Bruce Whitney and Jim Fisk (Planner).
Susie Scott (Administrative Assistant) was taking minutes.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Smith called the Planning Board meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
MINUTES APPROVAL
January 22, 2008 – Regular Meeting: Motion by Mr. Clough, 2nd by Mr. Whitney to accept minutes, passed unanimously.
PUBLIC AUDIENCE
Suzanne Roberge, Council Chair: Council Chair Roberge stated that the Council is in receipt of the Planning Board’s recommendation for parking amendments and would like to request a workshop between the Town Council and the Planning Board. The Planning Board discussed conducting a workshop on March 4th at 6:00 PM prior to their meeting.
The Planning Board later rescheduled the workshop for February 26th at 6:00 PM prior to their meeting and requested Ms. Scott coordinate with both the Council Chair and Roberta Orsini to confirm this date works for the Town Council.
John Kareckas, 15 Parent Street: Mr. Kareckas discussed the Planning Board’s review of Parking Standards and passed out material dated January 27, 2008. He noted he was troubled to hear about monetary requests from the Planning Board to applicants for parking. He stated that there were plenty of remedies for parking and read his memo into the record.
Mr. Christo responded that he agrees with the comments of Mr. Kareckas.
Mr. Clough stated he also agrees with Mr. Christo and Mr. Kareckas.
John Kareckas discussed the upcoming SMRPC hearing at Marshwood and Noble High Schools regarding LD 2003 and urged members to read the legislation and come prepared with questions. He noted that this would be an opportunity for citizens to speak out.
CORRESPONDENCE
1. MSP#06-08; Robie Enterprises, LLC, Map 28 Lot 171: Financial/Performance Guarantee – Town Manager letter received and distributed at meeting. Mr. Fisk noted that the applicant came in on the last day of her extension to keep her permit active. Applicant provided the Town a Cashier’s Check fulfilling a condition of her permit that assumes the removal of the Quonset hut.
OLD BUSINESS
1. MJS#07-02; Tamarack Hills (Charlotte Wilkins), Map 14, Lot 28 – 6-Lot Subdivision: Findings of Fact. Mr. Fisk stated that the applicant has reviewed the FOF.
Mr. Clough motioned to accept Findings of Fact, second by Mr. Whitney, passed with Ms. Demers in abstention.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Planning Board Meeting Schedule.
Motion by Ms. Demers to cancel the meeting on February 19, 2008 due to the holiday week, second by Mr. Christo, passed with Mr. Clough in opposition.
Mr. Clough stated concern over canceling Board meetings.
Mr. Christo had a calendar with the February 26, 2008 meeting date noted.
Motion by Ms. Demers to reconsider the cancellation of the meeting on February 19, 2008, second by Mr. Christo, passed unanimous.
Motion by Ms. Demers to reschedule the February 19th meeting for February 26th at 7:00 PM and opt for a 6:00 PM workshop with the Town Council, second by Mr. Christo, passed unanimous.
Ms. Scott will send email reminders to the Board regarding the meeting change and the workshop.
ORDINANCE UPDATES
1. Zoning Ordinance: Continued review – Table A.
Chairman Smith requested Mr. Fisk receive a master list or generic Table A from SMRPC or another municipality for comparison. The Chairman has previously requested this from SMRPC but they were hesitant to provide the information.
Mr. Clough stated that at the last Council meeting Table A was discussed, and there seemed to be confusion over what version of Table A was received and reviewed.
Mr. Fisk stated that the Planning Board has all the materials that were provided to the Council with the exception of the cover sheet that Mr. Fisk provided the Town Council. Mr. Fisk noted that as a cost savings measure, the Town prints the ordinance on a quarterly basis and there may be a number of versions of the Table that could have caused confusion.
Mr. Fisk is to provide the Planning Board with the cover sheet originally provided to the Council.
Mr. Christo requested that it be policy that any materials provided to the Town Council on behalf of the Planning Board be copied to the Planning Board.
The Planning Board reviewed the current, existing Table A for the following possible changes and/or deficiencies:
1. Hazardous Waste Material: Terms need to be defined.
2. Every land use should have a definition and general provisions. (Mr. Fisk stated he would provide list to Planning Board).
3. Aquaculture: Revise Zoning.
4. Automotive Repair/Service (Restoration/Collecting, etc.) – As it is related to a Home Occupation: Research conditional use for businesses to be inspected for chemical materials retention/storage/disposal with Automobile fluids plan.
5. Bed and Breakfasts: Allowable in R5.
6. Church: MSP in R5.
7. Community Living Facility vs. Arrangement: Clarify terms. Change “Arrangement” to “Facility”.
8. Congregate Housing: Elderly only. Facility with 9+ people. Consider servicing another population such as the handicap.
9. Create an Age Restricted Development: 55+ only. Provide definition and clarity.
10. Daycare Center: More than 12 children. Remain as not allowed in R5.
11. Essential Services: Amend definition.
12. Cell Phone/WIFI Towers: Language to provide for towers. Towers to remain unseen. Add state mandate.
13. Family Daycare: State regulated. Less than 12 children.
14. Multi-Family Dwellings: 3+ units. Keep New Construction and Existing Construction separate.
15. Variety Store: N – R5. Discuss revising to MSP to allow for a neighborhood store.
16. Professional Administrative Offices: N in most zones. To be reviewed.
17. Nursing Homes: Not allowed in most zones. Definition to be clarified. Review State definition.
18. Take-Out Restaurant: Clarify definition.
19. Transmission Towers: To be reviewed.
20. Vehicle Sales: Discuss allowing in R zones.
21. Veterinary Services: Allow in R1 and R2 zones. To be reviewed.
22. Wholesale Distribution: Currently not allowed. Need to review.
General MSP: Define requirements for R3 vs. R5. Develop more criteria.
OTHER
- none.
MEMBER COMMENTS
Mimi Demers: LID workshop overview. Ms. Demers discussed attending a LID workshop which was presented by Lamarr Cannon, NEMO. Ms. Demers would like to coordinate for Ms. Cannon to speak to the Planning Board. Presentation points included the use and management of stormwater instead of disposal of stormwater. The main goal was to reduce the volume of run off water and treat the water on site through the use of various water treatment techniques. Cost benefits through the use of these techniques can be significant. It would be best to have ordinances require certain techniques or at least allow techniques for Stormwater management including, for example, the allowance for shared driveways. Stormwater Management techniques are an important aspect in the Board’s ordinance review.
The Planning Board requested the Planner contact Lamarr Cannon for a future Planning Board presentation.
Dates & Times for Upcoming Meetings:
2/26/08 – 6:00 PM Town Council & Planning Board Workshop re: Parking Amendments
2/26/08 – 7:00 PM Planning Board Rescheduled Meeting [ ]
3/04/08 – 7:00 PM Planning Board Regular Meeting
Motion by Mr. Clough, second by Mr. Christo to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned without objection at 9:00 PM.
ATTESTED: ______________________
Susie Scott,
Assistant to the Director of Planning & Economic Development
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