TOWN OF BRADFORD
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
December 10, 2019
The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm.
Members Present: Pam Bruss (Chair), Claire James (Vice Chair), Michael James (Selectmen),
Carol Meise (attended until 8:15pm), Carol Troy, Laurie Colburn and Planning Board Secretary, Katie Olohan.
Members Absent: Tom Dunne, Alternates Steve Chase, Doug Troy and Marlene Freyler.
To Do:
- The Board reviewed the minutes from November 26th, 2019.
Motion: Claire James
Second: Laurie Colburn
Decision: 6-0 in favor, Michael James abstained.
Appearances:
- The Board conducted a preliminary consult for Map 6/Lot 103. Pam read the initial communication, received via email, from Steve Kelly in to record. Shay Kelly of Littleton, NH and Kyle Kelly of Hillsboro NH, the operators of North Country Lumber Inc. were present to discuss a proposed continuation of an auto repair shop on the property and looking for direction for their intentions to open a heavy-duty inspection station and parts depot. Shay Kelly and Kyle Kelly also inquired about information regarding signage. When asked by Laurie Colburn what type of parts depot, the Kelly’s specified that it would be a NAPA store. The Kelly’s intention is to make more use of the building while maintaining logging and trucking equipment. The previous business was used for Fire Truck maintenance and would therefor remain essentially the same use, except for the NAPA retail parts store. Shay Kelly expressed that the overhead garage door of the building would be modified into a store front. Pam Bruss informed the Kelly’s that this would require a Site Plan Revision. In order to move forward with a Site Plan Revision the Kelly’s would need approval from the owner of the property. This could be supplied in person or via written documentation. Claire James inquired about the logging trailers that are present on the lot. Shay Kelly stated that the loaded trailers stay on the site for later pick up and that no logging processing is happening on site. Carol Troy wanted to clarify if the trailers were being stored on the premises. If so, they would need their own parking spaces in addition to customer parking. Pam was able to go over a survey with the Kelly’s and as well as the site plan application and specified what the board would need for the application. A topographical survey including lines where the buildings are located, septic, signage, egress as well as parking was requested. Matt Monahan, from Central New Hampshire Regional Planning, provided some direction outlining that if the Kelly’s needed information about the septic, the owner or the state should have a copy. Claire sent an email with the sign ordinances information to the email address provided by the Kelly’s.
- Matt Monahan from Central New Hampshire Regional Planning reviewed the Land Use and Housing objectives to finalize the chapters for the Master Plan update. In the Housing chapter: 8.15 studies and analysis changed the word could to will locate in the 2nd and 3rd bulletin. Housing and Land Use chapters will be complete with these edits.
- The Board, along with Matt Monahan, reviewed a collection of goals and objectives from all the draft Master Plan chapters. The Board identified long- and short-term recommendations for the Master Plan and identified their top 10+/- objectives for the Implementation Chapter. Matt expressed that in order topropose any changes in Zoning it should be identified in the Master Plan, as it will have more weight at Town Meeting.
- Master Plan edits are expected over the next
couple of weeks.
- A full draft will be provided with a review targeted for January 14th, 2020.
- A Public Hearing will be targeted for late January early February.
- Agricultural Zoning discussions will be placed on hold until after the Master Plan has been adopted to ensure there is alliance with the Master Plan.
- The Board agreed to move forward with submitting a Warrant Article to update the Accessory Dwelling Units Ordinance. This ordinance would propose specific criteria that would needed for an ADU, managed via the Building Permit process, for an attached or detached unit. The Board will hold a Public Hearing on January 14th, 2020 to review the proposed Ordinance.
- A preliminary review of the Sign Ordinance indicated there may be potential to make revisions that would provide greater to support to businesses however additional review is needed to ensure any proposed amendments support the objectives of the Town. Time constraints limit the ability to review, draft and hold a Public Hearing, in preparation for Town Meeting. The Board agreed that additional diligence was needed and there was no desire to rush through the process. The Board will continue to work on reviewing the Sign Ordinance to determine if any changes should be proposed.
- Formalized communication flow with the Zoning Board was discussed, outlining a formalized Board to Board correspondence process that is documented.
- A review of the Site Plan Process Flow Checklist was tabled until mid-winter and will be added after the Master Plan is adopted.
Planning Board Communications:
- The next Planning Board meeting will be January 14th, 2020 at 7:00pm
Motion: Carol Troy motioned to adjourn at 9:38pm.
Second: Claire James
Decision: 5-0 in favor
Minutes submitted by Katie Olohan, Planning Board Secretary