TOWN OF WILTON

PLANNING BOARD MEETING

DRAFT

 

DATE:            April 16, 2008

TIME:            7:30 P.M.

PLACE:          Wilton Town Hall Courtroom

PRESENT:     Wilton Planning Board Members: Chairman Jeff Kandt, Alec MacMartin, Matt Fish, Brian Sullivan, Neil Faiman, Michael Cooley, Alternate Walter Zuber, Board of Selectman Representative Bill Condra, Recorder Heather Loewy Nichols.

 

The agenda was amended as follows:

1.)                  Minutes

-          March 19, 2008

-          April 3, 2008

2.)                  First Light Farm – Cluster Subdivision

3.)                  Perham Woods- Cluster Subdivision

4.)                  Lindquist – Subdivision Application

5.)                  Hillside of Wilton, LLC – Subdivision

6.)                  Gary & Betty Raymond – Subdivision Application

7.)                  Cadrain & LusheerLot Line Adjustment

8.)                  Donald Slowik – Subdivision

9.)                  New Sparton Properties – Excavation Permit Renewal

10.)               Leighton A. White – Excavation Permit Renewal

11.)               Pike Industries- Sign Application

12.)               Phil Heald’s Trust – Pre Application

13.)               Dennis Slocumb – Pre Application

14.)               Other Business

15.)               Adjournment

 

Jeff Kandt opened the meeting at 7:36 p.m.

 

1.       Minutes

-         March 19, 2008

A MOTION was made by Neil Faiman and SECONDED by Matt Fish to approve the minutes of March 19, 2008 with the following amendments:

-         Page 2, Line 24; change “Dick Rockwood” to “Bill Condra”

-         Page 5, Line 47; change “Hill Rod” to Hill Road

Voting:  8 ayes; motion carried.

-         April 3, 2008

A MOTION was made by Alec MacMartin and SECONDED by Neil Faiman to approve the minutes of April 3, 2008 as written.

Voting: 6 ayes; motion carried (with Matt Fish and Brian Sullivan abstaining as they were not at the meeting)

 

Continuations:

2.       Cluster Subdivision – First Light Farm, LLC Lots F-095-02,03,07,13,14 and 15 on Isaac Frye Highway in the Residential/Agricultural district. Applicant is proposing 22-unit cluster subdivision.

 

Ray Shea, from Sanford Survey, appeared before the Board and stated that they have been working on revisions in reply to Dennis LaBombard’s comments and have submitted the new plans to Mr. LaBombard for his further comment. He explained that most of the revisions address Mr. LaBombard’s comments. He also noted that he prepared a separate lot line consolidation page and the lot line adjustment with the other lot owned by First Light Farm in order to allow the road. He further noted that they have added pavement and other engineering details, including drainage work. In response to a question from Alec MacMartin, Ray Shea stated that the plan went through the NHDES water system review and they had to move the wells out back. He stated that the plan has been resubmitted for further NHDES review. He also noted that they have added the pond and hydrants that meet the Fire Chief’s specifications and straightened the second access road. Matt Fish stated that he prefers new location of the road as it is less visible for Issac Frye Road now. In response to a question from Alec MacMartin, Ray Shea stated that there is no increase in storm drainage to the two and ten year flood amounts but there is a small amount of increase over the huge watershed to the 25 year flood amount.

 

A MOTION was made by Matt Fish and SECONDED by Brian Sullivan to continue the application to May 21, 2008.

Voting: 8 ayes; motion carried.

 

3.       Cluster Subdivision - Perham Woods – Lots B-020 on Dale Street in the Residential & Agricultural, Wetlands and Flood Plain District.  Applicant is proposing a 29 unit cluster subdivision.

 

Dawn Tuomala, of Monadnock Survey, appeared before the Board and stated that she is requesting a continuation as she has just received an escrow check for the review by LaBombard Engineering. She noted that she has spoken with the Board of Selectman and confirmed their agreement to pay outside improvements of $1,500 per lot which would be used to change the Dale Street intersection and any extra funds collected but not used for the intersection would be used to work on Dale Street itself. Matt Fish stated that he is opposed to the alignment of Dale Street and Route 31 and he would prefer that the offsite improvement funds be used to work solely on Dale Street as he thinks the cost of changing the intersection outweighs the benefits.  

 

Lynne Draper, of the Wilton Conservation Commission, stated that they have seen the wetland crossing plan and they have no objection to the culvert and the crossing but they do have concerns about the entire wetland complex as a whole and they suggest that a wetland biologist be asked to review the project. She explained that the Conservation Commission is not looking to redo the work that has already been done but rather make sure that nothing significant has been missed. Bill Mayer, of the Conservation Commission, submitted a list of questions and concerns to the Planning Board.  In response to a question from Lynne Draper, Dawn Tuomala stated that the last application had a different situation concerning the wells and the wells on this application need less of a radius because they are serving only one house each.  

 

The Board then entered into a discussion about what Matt Fish feels to be “several inconsistencies” between the wildlife report Mark West presented for this application and the presentation from Bob Prokup with regards to the Provost application. Dawn Tuomala and Neil Faiman explained that they were different because this site has a different kind of wetland than the Provost site especially considering that there are no vernal pools on it. Matt Fish stated that he thinks that all the wetlands on the Perham Woods site should be treated equally and since they abut the same prime wetland he thinks there should not be such a discrepancy in the reports. Neil Faiman stated that they do not abut the same wetland rather they run into the same flood control area. Alec MacMartin stated that he thinks that the Conservation Commission is asking the Board to take a step back and make sure they have covered all the bases.

 

The Board then discussed what the scope of work would be for a hired biologist. They decided that it would be best to have the same biologist work on both the Provost project and the Perham Woods project at the same time. After discussion it was suggested that the work on the Provost application would be more intensive then on the Perham Woods application. When Chairman Jeff Kandt questioned why this would be true, Alec MacMartin stated that it was due to one of the projects being further along than the other. Dawn Tuomala pointed out that the wildlife study she presented was the first of its kind to be presented to the Board and it was not asked for but rather put forth of the applicant’s free will.

 

Matt Fish stated that he has raised the concern previously about Beech Lane circulating the high importance wetland.

 

In response to a question from Dawn Tuomala, the Board stated that they felt that it was unnecessary for LaBombard Engineering to review the traffic study.  

 

A MOTION was made by Alec MacMartin and SECONDED by Bill Condra that the Board submit a letter to a biologist requesting a review of the wildlife study, plan, and proposed setbacks as well as taking a site walk of the Perham Woods site while visiting the Provost site.

Voting: 6 ayes, 2 nays (Sullivan, Faiman); motion carried.

 

A MOTION was made by Alec MacMartin and SECONDED by Brian Sullivan to continue the application to May 21, 2008.

Voting: 8 ayes; motion carried.

 

4.      Subdivision Application – Al Lindquist – for acceptance and approval of a lot line adjustment and creation of 3 new residential building lots (total 4) located on Lyndeborough Center Road on Map/Lots B-026 and B-027 in the Residential/Agricultural District. 

 

Joe Wichert appeared before the Board for the applicant and stated that last month the outstanding issues were the maintenance language requested by Town Counsel, which was submitted on Monday, and two changes on the plans. He explained that he added a label to the plan noting the proposed 50’ wide right of way, on sheet S-1 and S-2, and a note that states that the corners have been set. He explained that he has yet to sink the granite post at the town line but will give the Board an escrow check if they approve the application. The Board discussed the appropriate escrow amount.

 

A MOTION was made by Brian Sullivan and SECONDED by Alec MacMartin to conditionally approve the application contingent upon endorsement by Town Counsel of the additional maintenance language and receipt of  a bond in the amount of $200.

Voting: 8 ayes; motion carried.

 

5.      Subdivision – Hillside of Wilton, LLC Lot D-084 on Pead Hill Road in the Residential/Agriculture District.  Applicant is proposing to subdivide said lot into seven (7) lot subdivision.

 

Alec MacMartin and Neil Faiman left the Board as voting members at 8:37 p.m.

 

Chairman Kandt stated that after the last meeting he felt that they Board may have mislead the applicant because last month he had the impression that the Board should not accept the plan with a disputed easement but really Town Counsel recommended that the Board not accept the plan with a note which says that easements exist that can not be located. Silas Little, Town Counsel, appeared before the Board and explained that survey standards require that the surveyor state that he has found all the existing easements. Chairman Kandt explained that if a note is included in which the surveyor attests that they have found and noted the easements then any dispute becomes a private matter. After further discussion, David O’Hara stated that based on further research he will attest that there are no easement rights on this piece of land except for the public rights on Old Stage Road.  

 

Steve Wagner questioned whether the Board would like a wildlife study on this application.

 

In response to a question, Chairman Kandt explained that it is the understanding of the Board that they will accept a licensed surveyor’s opinion and if there is a dispute with his opinion then it becomes the responsibility of the abutter to take up the issue as a private matter.  

 

Silas Little explained that generally the surveyor determines whether the road is a town road or has been decommissioned and includes a note stating such on the plan. In response to a question from Chairman Kandt, Silas Little stated that this determination is a required checklist item. After discussion, the Board determined that a lot can have a town road running through it.

 

After discussion, the Board decided to have a site walk on Saturday April 19th at 8:00 a.m. and meet at Pead Hill Road. Chairman Kandt noted that site walks are considered public meetings.

 

A MOTION was made by Brian Sullivan and SECONDED by Michael Cooley to continue the application to May 21, 2008.

Voting: 6 ayes; motion carried.  

 

Alec MacMartin and Neil Faiman returned to the Board as voting members at 8:59 pm.

 

6.       Subdivision Application – Gary & Betty Raymond - Lot E10-2, 789 Gibbons Highway – Applicant is proposing converting an existing duplex into a condex.  

 

The Board explained that the applicant has requested a continuance.

 

A MOTION was made by Bill Condra and SECONDED by Matt Fish to continue the application to May 21, 2008.

Voting: 8 ayes; motion carried.

 

7.       Lot Line Adjustment – Kenneth Cadrain and Victor LushearApplicants are proposing that 0.105 acre be annexed from Lot D106-3, on Seagroves Street and Burns Hill Road, to Lot L05, on Seagroves Street. A variance was granted (Case #10/9/07-4) on October 2007, with conditions.

 

Dawn Tuomala appeared before the Board for the applicant and stated that last month the question came up as to whether the lot had any frontage on Seagroves Street. She explained that on April 8th she went to the Zoning Board regarding this matter and the Zoning Board found that a variance was not necessary as the frontage requirement had already been waived by the 1979 variance and she added Note 10 regarding the decision.  She gave the Board what history she could determine about Seagroves Street and stated that she could not determine whether it is a private of Class VI road. Steve Wagner noted that the road status will only matter if the ZBA decision is challenged.

 

Brian Sullivan noted that the lot shape is not preferable.

 

Chairman Kandt asked for public comment and saw none.

 

Alec MacMartin explained that generally when the Board deals with private roads they insure that maintenance covenants are in place so whoever buys the lot in the future will not have an issue. Kenneth Cadrain presented the Board with a copy of a driveway maintenance agreement which another Seagroves Street resident needed to create in order to purchase their lot. In response to a question from the Board, Sam Procter stated that this agreement was not part of the house sale and that when he lived on the street the town plowed it even though it was not a town road.  After discussion, Dawn Tuomala suggested that she could submit a maintenance agreement that had been approved by Town Counsel for a previous application.

 

Dawn Tuomala submitted a signed letter approving the proposed water and sewer. In response to a question from Chairman Kandt, Dawn Tuomala stated that the Fire Chief did receive the plans and knows that the building is going to be a residence.

 

Alec MacMartin stated that he does not like the spike shape of the lot and that he is concerned about Regulation #6.74.41 and he would like to get Town Counsel’s opinion as to whether a note is necessary.

 

The Board discussed the need for a note stating that the structure is non-conforming, since the structure extends beyond the setback line, and therefore any changes would require a variance.  

 

The Board discussed the requested waivers and stated that they are not inclined to object to any of them if Dawn Tuomala brings them back to the Board with the regulation numbers included.

 

The Board and the applicant discussed the new Shoreline Protection Act regulations and Steve Wagner stated that he will determine whether it is applicable.

 

A MOTION was made by Brian Sullivan and SECONDED by Alec MacMartin to  continue the application to May 21, 2008.

Voting: 8 ayes; motion carried.

 

8.       Subdivision – Donald SlowikApplicant is proposing to subdivide Lot B 31-3, located on Pead Hill Rod, into three single family lots.

 

Tom Car, of Meridian Land Services, appeared before the Board for the applicant, and apologized for not showing the Board the three lot subdivision versus a four lot subdivision at the last meeting. He showed the Board a four conforming lot plan and noted that the applicant would rather go with the alternative three lot plan as it would reduce density and preserve view qualities and the orchard. He handed out pictures of views from abutters’ land and explained that the reduced frontage lots would enhance the view because abutters would be able to see the mountains better.

 

Don Slowik stated that he spoke with members of the Wilton Camera Club, who often take pictures from the ridge, and he was told that the house in the back would not bother them since the trees would hide it. He stated that one will be able to see the house in the winter when the trees are bare but in the summer one will not be able to see much.

 

Jean Pratt stated that one can equate view with the value of her home and her house value is going to go down. She questioned whether the seller of the property will have any control of what can be built on the land with respect to height. Matt Fish stated that there is a height restriction of 35’ in Wilton.

 

Tom Car stated that he has spoken to the Fire Chief and he has made it clear that he will require that a culvert be put in but before the applicant goes forward with the necessary special exception the applicant needs to know about the reduced frontage lot. Jean Pratt stated that she agrees that three lots better serves the neighborhood then four. In response to a question from Jean Pratt, Tom Car explained that the design will be completed, then presented to the Conservation Commission, then presented to the state and the ZBA, and then a site walk will be held. Chairman Jeff Kandt noted that this would be the first house on the ridge away from the road and in his opinion three lots are better than four.

 

The Board then discussed the wetlands and Matt Fish stated that the wetland drains down below Leo Page’s house to a bog and then into the flood dam below Perham Woods. In response to a question from Steve Wagner, Tom Car stated that the wetland crossing is one of the best he has ever seen although it does not contain a definitive culvert. The Board and Tom Car discussed what areas should be marked as wetlands and what should not.  

 

A MOTION was made by Neil Faiman and SECONDED by Bill Condra that the Board find that a conventional subdivision would permit four lots including two lots on the ridge line and, therefore, an unconventional subdivision which allows only one lot on the ridge line is advantageous to the neighborhood.

 

The Board discussed whether it is premature to vote on the reduced frontage lot before the Conservation Commission has time to consider the appropriate setbacks. It was noted that no matter what the setbacks are they will not make a fourth lot more appealing. They also discussed whether they could appropriately require more than 50’ setbacks as stated in the regulations. Tom Car stated that, in his professional opinion, there is nothing exemplarily about these wetlands, and he thinks that the applicant could put in 100’ setbacks without affecting the project. In response to a concern from Alec MacMartin, Neil Faiman stated that he thinks that the applicant understands that if subsequent Conservation Commission discussion proves that something on the plan needs to be changed then the applicant will need to adjust the plan.

 

Voting: 6 ayes, 1 nay (MacMartin), 1 abstention (Fish); motion carried.

 

The Board discussed the applicant’s waiver requests.

 

Jean Pratt stated that the applicant is welcome to sit on her front porch for the purpose of determining her view.

 

In response to question from Don Slowik regarding wetland setbacks, Alec MacMartin stated that they would be based on recommendations from the Conservation Commission and the Board would have to make a determination that what the applicant is proposing is not a detriment.  

 

A MOTION was made by Alec MacMartin and SECONDED by Matt Fish to deny the waiver request.

Voting: 8 ayes; motion carried.

 

A MOTION was made by Alec MacMartin and SECONDED by Bill Condra to continue the application to May 21, 2008.

Voting: 8 ayes; motion carried.

 

New Applications:

9.       Excavation Renewals- New Spartan Properties, LLC – Applicant is proposing renewal of Excavation Permits for Lot F-122, M-059 off Abbot Hill Road and Map/Lot F-173, E-022, E-023, E-017 and E-021 off Route 31 South

 

Matt Fish stated that he did a full inspection and there is a disagreement as to the appropriate barrier that it necessary. After discussion between Tom Quinn and Matt Fish, Chairman Kandt stated that the Board needs to do some research including pulling the pertinent minutes and speaking to Dennis LaBombard.

 

A MOTION was made by Neil Faiman and SECONDED by Bill Condra to continue the application to May 30, 2008.

Voting: 8 ayes; motion carried.

 

10.   Excavation Permit Renewal – Leighton A. White – Applicant is proposing renewal of Excavation Permit Number 646 for Lot E017.

 

Matt Fish stated that he went to the pit and only 10 to 15 loads have been removed and he saw no problems.

 

A MOTION was made by Matt Fish and SECONDED by Alec MacMartin to renew the Excavation Permit for Lot E-017 for a year after the original approval date of the permit.

Voting: 8 ayes; motion carried.

 

11.   Sign Permit – Pike Industries – Applicant is proposing placing a non-illuminated, 15 SF sign on the corner of Route 31 and Stoney Brook underneath the existing PEP Direct sign.

 

Tom Rugg appeared before the Board and explained that the sign which was approved last year was not put up because Pike Industries was unhappy with the provisions, however since then they have gotten Pep Direct to agree to allow them to place a sign on their property. After discussion and inspection of the paperwork provided the Board agreed that the applicant should have gone to the Zoning Board prior to appearing before the Planning Board.

 

A MOTION was made by Bill Condra and SECONDED by Alec MacMartin to continue the application to May 21, 2008.

Voting: 8 ayes; motion carried.

 

Pre-Applications:

12.   Will Sullivan – Phil Heald’s Trust

Will Sullivan appeared before the Board and explained that Phil Heald died late last year and in all probability 500 acres are going to be given to the New Hampshire Forestry. He explained that they will need to cut out Phil Heald’s house and 40 acres from the lot noting that the deed will have a covenant that it is to be a one house lot only. He explained that he would like to come back to the Board with a survey of the 40 acres but not the other 500 acres as there are 55 deeds involved. He noted that Phil Heald has already given 1,000 acres to New Hampshire Forestry and a survey of this acreage would be immensely expensive. He also noted that the only abutter besides the New Hampshire Forestry is a lot across the street. The board stated that they would be inclined to allow Will Sullivan’s request.

13.   Dawn Tuomala - Dennis Slocomb industrial site plan

Dawn Tuomala stated that this proposal would be for a 60’x 80’ building. She explained that the applicant runs a transport business that hauls recycled products. She noted that the hauled products do not come to the property. Also she noted that some of the vehicles have trailers that stay attached and others do not. Alec MacMartin stated that the applicant would need to make sure that any runoff or vehicle fluids do not get into the ground.

14.   Other Business

The Board gave Planning Board Clerk Heather Nichols direction on two outstanding issues.

 

15.   Adjournment

A MOTION was made to Bill Condra and SECONDED by Brian Sullivan to adjourn.

 Voting: 8 ayes; motion carried.

 

Chairman Jeff Kandt declared the meeting adjourned at 11:21 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Heather Loewy Nichols

Wilton Planning Board Clerk

 

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