Wilton Planning Board

Continued hearing from February 2006

and Work Session

March 8, 2006

Wilton Town Hall

 

Members present: Chairperson Matt Fish, Brian Sullivan, Neil Faiman, Alt. David Holder, Alec MacMartin and NRPC Rep. Steve Wagner.

 

Meeting called to order at 7:30pm by Chairperson Matt Fish.

 

Mr. Fish received two quotes from outside engineers for the Riverwalk project.

LaBombard came in at $2,550 while a quote of $3,000-3,200 from Normandeau Associates.  It was noted that LaBombard does engineering support for Hollis-Brookline.

 

New Spartan Properties, LLC

Riverwalk Lots F-122, F-121-3 and M-59

 

Dawn Tuomala and Tom Quinn, Sr. presented the case.

Ms. Tuomala didn’t send out the plans to PSNH because the plans are not finalized.  PSNH has the first set of plans and didn’t have a problem but has requested to have the pole numbers and other items completed.  They will receive the plans when finalized.

 

The Board questioned the slopes on page 2 and asked Ms. Tuomala to review 36c and 36e to determine if they were switched in regards to 15 and under and 15 and over slope.

 

Note 9 on page 2, has ammdd” for date of granted decision.

 

Mr. Holder inquired about where the sewer line ties in and where it is gravity flow.  Mr. Quinn showed him on the plan and also mentioned the pump will belong to the owner.

 

The Board reviewed General Regulations page C-2 to determine the density request.

 

2.a.4)  The Board requested that Ms. Tuomala ask the police department if there is expected to be coverage issues for this area.

 

5) Will be determined by an engineering review.

 

Have letter from sewer Department. 

 

7) Mr. Quinn stated a different town had their household stats as three people for a two bedroom house and four people living in a three bedroom house so the expected number of additional residents could be 42-64 people.

 

8) There is a conservation easement proposed for the river. Access and availability will need to discuss.  The Conservation Committee will meet next Monday and will report back to the Board.

 

Mr. Quinn noted that he and the residents of the area do not want snowmobiles up there but Mr. Quinn feels the Conservation Commission is pushing the issue.  Mr. Quinn said he does 2,000 miles a year on his snowmobile and also allows snowmobiles on four of his other parcels but feels this is not an area for it.  The Conservation Commission will comment after their next meeting.  Abutter Don King feels that this is a neighborhood area.  Corridor 13 will be discussed.  Abutters have signed a petition.

 

Mr. Quinn would like to accept the Conservation Commission’s request for a walk down to a fishing area, which is a steep 800 by 200 ft. area. 

 

Mr. Quinn would like to leave it up to the Homeowners Association to decide what to do with the 20 or so acres of common land.

 

Discussed if two acres to every unit is appropriate.

 

The Board wondered if this was not an excavation pit how 2.a.2) would come into play.

 

Reviewed lots 7-10 and expressed a concern of owners building into the hillside.

A building envelope will be added to the plan and state that owners can not dig into the hillside.

 

To do:

Note in conjunction with the building envelope.

 

#10 said the applicant has to meet five bonus criteria.  If the applicant does not meet the bonus they will be down to 14 units and if meet full bonus up to 16 units.

This is unique because the reclamation can make it meet its bonus.  Discussed item 9

 

C.b.1)  min. access points

 

3) There are no wetlands so discussed if absence of wetlands qualifies the applicant for a bonus.

 

4) To get #4 all the development has to be setback 104 feet all the way around.  This is met all sides but the conservation path going down to the river. (no)

 

6) No diversity (no)

 

7) Attractive design use of the terrain.  Abutter Mr. King was satisfied. Mr. Quinn felt it is an attractive use of the design.  The homes are set along the base of the slope and each unit has their own lot and can take care of their property.  Maintain sunset views off the high lot.  There will be a walking trail to the river while some lots have river views.  Lots 122-9 through 122-12 maintain the forest area. 

 

Mr. Fish felt they are starting from a void as a gravel pit with no trees or features.

Mr. MacMartin felt that the attractiveness is in the design.  This is trying to push that development together.  Mr. Faiman felt it is semi-cluster, not the 2 acre lots. Mr. Wagner felt it could be an open space development.  This is layout that best suits the land as presented. 

 

8) Yes, this is a low impact.

 

Mr. Wagner felt that they should get three. 

 

Mr. King feels it is nicely hidden and does not have a concern.  “It is better than an open pit and seems nice”, he added.

 

Mr. Quinn does not plan to sell the lots to a developer and his son Tom Jr. will be the future developer.  They expect to build 10 or less units in the first year and maybe 5-6 the second year, but most likely be 2-3.  They selected 2,000 sq. foot homes including the garage in case the economy goes bad the homes can be downsize.

 

Discussed lot 16 that stands alone.  The Board had trouble agreeing to a full bonus with lot 16 by itself and felt the land is useless to use as common land.  Mr. Sullivan commented the other house up there is the most visible eyesore from Rt. 101.   Mr. Brookes said as a resident to be able to drive up Abbot Hill Road and see the sunset is important.

 

Mr. Faiman felt it shaves the value points and his reaction is to move lot 16 down and put it with the other lots.

 

VOTE: Mr. MacMartin made a motion to under c.2.b to enter a finding in accordance with subsection 10 that the applicant with moving lot F-122-16 down onto Richfield Way and showing building development envelopes on the lots so they don’t intrude on existing slopes meet the following factors that they meet the bonus factors to be entitled to a 25% density bonus.  Those factors are 1, min access points on access road; 2, no development greater than 15%; 7 attractive design; 8 low impact offsite; 9 absence of development of frontage lots.  Mr. Faiman seconded the motion. Mr. Sullivan voted no.  Motion passed.

 

Mr. Sullivan commented to look at the points and if you look at 10 you get 25% and if you meet less you get less.

 

Mr. Tuomala will provide the fire chief’s letter at the next meeting.

 

Mr. Quinn is concerned that Mr. King wanted to tie into the sewer line and now that lot 16 is moved he asked if he can still run the line up to Mr. King’s home.  The Board responded that that would disturb the green space and it would affect the density bonus.  Mr. Quinn asked if they had a problem if he still run it and he was advised that it would take a maintenance agreement and other issues and that if he does run the line the issue has to be revisited in this Board.  (Mr. King left the meeting before the vote was taken)

 

VOTE: Mr. Sullivan moved to continue to the regular March 15 meeting.  Mr. Faiman seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

New Spartan Properties, LLC and Mike Davidson

Bond renewal for lots F-173 and E-23.

The site plan was not available for the meeting.

 

Permit to excavate – Abbot Hill Road, Lot F-122 and M-59

Permit renewal form

New note #11 was added and read outloud.  “Grading shown as….town will release bond after two winter seasons.”

All conditions are met and plans were signed.

 

Mr. Sullivan made a visit to inspect the pit.  Mr. Sullivan signed the papers.

 

Other Business

COMPUTER

The Board has $1,000 for a laptop to be used by the secretary.  Discussed who is willing to investigate the purchase.

 

MASTER PLAN/CIP

Mr. Fish announced that they are not funded for a Master Plan review but are funded for a CIP so that project will need to start.  It was suggested to invite the Budget Committee to assist.

 

PIKE

Larry Majors from Pike Industries said they released the two ponds, one a beaver dam, between the pits and that caused a large amount of sediment to be released.  They are working on solving the problem.

 

CIRCUIT RIDER

The selectmen will sign the Circuit Rider’s contract after town meeting.

 

MAP FOR GRAVEL DISTRICT

Steve Wagner designed a map of the gravel district overlay for the ballot.  The town’s Zoning Map will be the other display.

 

Tom said that E-29 is only partly in the Industrial District and is not certain that E-22 is Industrial District.

 

Discussed a layman’s explanation for the ballot. 

 

Asked Mr. Wagner if he can provide a map of just the white area in conjuction with the whole town and show how big the effected area is.

 

VOTE: Mr. Sullivan made a motion to adjourn.  Mr. Faiman seconded the motion.  Motion passed at 10pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Kathleen Humphreys

 

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