TOWN OF EPPING, NEW HAMPSHIRE
PLANNING BOARD MEETING

 

THURSDAY March 20, 2008

 

PRESENT Greg Tillman, Mike Morasco, Selectmen’s Representative Karen Sott; Planner Clay Mitchell; Alternate Steve Colby; Secretary Phyllis McDonough.

 

CALL TO ORDER – Chairman Tillman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., appointed Colby to sit in for Dwyer.

 

Chairman Tillman introduced newly elected Selectman Karen Sott.  The Chairman explained Selectman Sott will be a non voting representative for the meeting until there is an appointment by the Selectmen for a representative to sit on the Planning Board.

                       

REORGANIZATION – Chairman Tillman announced the reorganization will be held at the April 3, 2008 meeting.

 

CORRESPONDENCE FROM STEVE COLBY -- re: Vacancy on Board, RSA 673:12. I.

The Board will discuss the correspondence from Steve Colby at the April 3, 2008 meeting.

 

Notice of Decision:     Site Plan, and Conditional Use Permit

Owner/Developer:      Industrial Communications
Location:                     Map 004, Lot 011.   103 High Road

 

The Notice of Decision regarding Industrial Communications will be addressed at the April 3, 2008 meeting.

 

Notice of Decision:     Site Plan

Owner/Developer:      Lorraine & Jack Lavoie, Trustee, Dearborn Properties

Location:                     Map 29 Lot 13 & 22.   69 St. Laurent Street

 

The notice of Decision regarding Lorraine & Jack Lavoie, Trustee, Dearborn Properties will be addressed at the April 3, 2008 meeting.

 

DISCUSSION:                        Conceptual review and discussion of the proposed Hartford property `                              Subdivision

Parties:                       Penny Lewis

Location:                     Map 035, Lot 001.  Beede Road

 

Penny Lewis representing her father Howard Hartford came before the Board with proposals on the Beede Road site.  She explained the proposal is to subdivide at Map 035, Lot 1 on Beede Road.  She presented a plan to the board showing a six lot subdivision, two of the lots are oversized for duplex which shows an eight lot subdivision, and is ready for a road.  Lewis showed the next proposal eliminating the 8 lot subdivision substituting it with a 3 lot subdivision with restrictions on the lots as non subdividable, with the first portion of the driveway being a shared drive and individual driveways from that driveway.  She stated she felt this proposal would be more beneficial in terms of costs to the Town.

 

Chairman Tillman explained the old Epping Master Plan talks about a connection from Beede Road to Shirking Road informing Lewis if she went for the roadway it would have to be figured in the connection.  The Chairman informed Lewis on the other proposal it would need a frontage variance.

 

Colby asked Lewis if she had an idea where houses will go due to the fact that there are poorly drained soils and seasonal flooding.  Lewis explained her engineer is familiar with spring conditions and the wetlands scientist is from West Environmental.  Colby informed Lewis the Board would need that information. 

 

Colby also suggested that Lewis record in the deed that there is an easement on the driveways for both parties.  Lewis explained she is looking at a short three family shared drive and the proposed locations for the dwellings are further apart.

 

Selectman Sott stated her concern is that the short easement is deeded and concurred with Colby on the poorly drained soils.  Selectman Sott explained she does like the three lot plan which agreed it would be less impact to the town.

 

Lewis asked if it is the Planning Board would do the permitting for.  Chairman Tillman explained the plan would need a variance for the frontage and explained she would need to speak with Mitchell or McDonough on her application procedures.  The Chairman stated when the plan comes before the Board for Subdivision approval as part of the approval the Board would require notes on plan for easements on driveways.

 

Selectman Sott asked if the deeds will show a covenant on how the shared driveways will be maintained.  Chairman Tillman explained that would be looked at during the subdivision review.

 

Lewis thanked the Board and left the meeting.

 

DISCUSSION:                        Sigarms Update

Parties:                       Deborah Roberts, abutter

Location:                     Map 038, Lot 003.  Exeter Road

 

Deborah Roberts came before the Board and referred to the Planning Board meeting that was held on March 6, 2008 informing the board she missed the end of the meeting due to the fact of the tape went dead on ETV.  Chairman Tillman explained there were things not clear on the August meeting so the Board reviewed the minutes of August 2, 2007 and amended the minutes with clarification.  Roberts explained she has the amendments with the hours attached and asked if the hours are in effect.  Chairman Tillman explained they are, subject to the approval.  Roberts explained it is her understanding that none of the hours take effect until the berm and wall are taken care of.

 

Morasco explained the Board had to look at what was being done on the site and that the new hours are not in effect on most ranges until the Board revisits the application.

 

Chairman Tillman explained if the conditions of approval were met on each range the hours would be as written, as it would not be fair to the applicant to make them do all the changes and inform them they may or may not get the hours requested.

 

Morasco explained the board separated the site into different ranges on site and there would be different criteria to be met.

 

Roberts explained when she left the August meeting, Rob Graham stated that there would be no changes until all conditions were met.  Roberts explained there was an agreement that Sigarms would send all abutters schedules for the January to December schedule of the two Saturday’s they would shoot and the two Wednesday’s to run in conjunction with New England Dragway.  Roberts stated she has not received those letters that were supposed to be sent explaining all the dates for shooting for the whole year.  She explained the agreement was so the abutters could adjust their lives during the time of the shooting.

 

Roberts stated she would like another site plan scheduled with abutters.

 

Chairman Tillman explained there are two approved areas that do not require any further work which are area 51 and the rifle range, and so the new hours for those ranges are in effect.

 

George Harris from Sigarms explained area 51 and the rifle range are good to go with the hours as written.  He explained as far as upper deck, until the fence is erected Sigarms is under the same guidelines as they have been in the past.  Harris explained the Engineering Range berm work has been done.  Harris explained they propose to have the fence plan for TRC, once approved they will erect the fence and finish up with everything else. 

 

Chairman Tillman TRC said has changed and the plans for all sound mitigation fences and berms that are required will have to go before the full board for approval before they are built.

 

Harris explained the annual letter was designed to designate the two Saturdays.  He stated when the minutes were approved last year, they felt that they could shoot somewhere on the property on any Saturday would void the letter that was sent to the abutters.

 

Roberts asked the Board to review the tape of the August 2, 2007 meeting where it states there would be no changes to anything on the property until the berms were taken care of.  Morasco explained he understands that hours have not changed to the upper deck as they are waiting for spring to complete any work.  Morasco explained the engineering berm is in place the part around the berm that was an extra has not been done, and the hours for that range have not changed at this point.

 

Colby stated he recalls that the hours for each section were attached to each section.

 

Roberts asked that someone please listen to the tape of August 2, 2007 and get back to her with her concerns.

 

Chairman Tillman advised Harris to do a letter to advise when the shooting will happen and copy the Board of Selectmen, until new hours go into effect on the Upper Deck range.

 

Chairman Tillman explained there will be much less time spent on Technical Review and most review will be in front of the Board.  He stated the Planning Board has never been responsible for enforcement and explained those duties will be handed off to the Code Enforcement Officer.

 

Harris explained that once fence is completed on the upper deck the letters will cease but until then they will send out letters.

 

DISCUSSION:                        WalMart Seasonal Plans

Parties                         Barbara Stewart & WalMart Management

Location:                     Map 029, Lot 283. Fresh River Road

 

Barbara Stewart explained WalMart had a permit for a tent last year in their lawn and garden area and would like to have another tent this year, and stated she would like the town involved in the grand opening of lawn and garden.  She explained she would like to provide flowers to the town and involve recreation into this.  She explained the tent is a seasonal area for three months with a restriction, and asked if WalMart could venture into an agreement with a corral. 

 

Stewart explained the tent was 40 x 60 and on the side of the building last year.   Stewart explained the tent went up in April and down in August and stated the intent would be the same with a corral.  Stewart explained a corral is easy access for a customer allows for purchase at the register and heavy outdoor items are lifted into the customer’s car by and attendant.

 

Sott explained she found the corrals to be esthetically very well kept as she’s seen at the Plaistow store and stated it is portable and is temporary.  Chairman Sott explained it makes it easier for the customer.

 

Stewart explained she would like it more visible this year.  In front of second gate there is an island with a strip of a parking lot which she feels would be the ideal spot.  Stewart stated the tent was not visible to the public.  Stewart explained she would like the tent in the front and would like the corral on the side.

 

Morasco asked if security was a problem last year.  Stewart explained there was no problem as there is always someone in the store in that area.  Morasco spoke about the islands in the parking lot and asked Stewart if there was a plan for bringing them back with plantings.  Stewart explained there was a problem with the sprinkling and suggested to use all mulch.  She explained there will be trees replaced but not all as it is costly.  Morasco explained the trees have to be done as it’s on the site plan.

 

Morasco stated parking would have to be looked at.  Stewart asked what taking up parking would hinder.  Morasco explained it was part of the initial site plan.

 

Chairman Tillman explained he would like to address the corral at the next meeting.  He stated he has no problem with tent and would like a sketch with tent and corral.  Stewart stated she will drop a sketch off at the Planning office. 

 

Stewart will be back at the April 3 meeting to address the issue.  Morasco and Stewart agreed to a site walk. 

 

DISCUSSION:                        Car Dealership

Parties:                       David Gleason, Hurlbert Toyota

Location:                     Map 030, Lot 078.  14 Railroad Ave

 

Dave Gleason representing Hurlbert Toyota explained the proposal is on 14 Railroad Ave. for an automotive business.  He explained this site is in Highway Commercial Zone and the permitted use is automotive.  Gleason showed the site at 6,000 square feet with a 3,000 square foot building and parking that is mostly gravel.  Gleason explained there will be a clean up of vegetation.  Gleason showed customer parking areas, display areas, and employee parking in back.  Gleason explained the landscaping will be finished off and the proposal it to keep the building as is.

 

Chairman Tillman explained there is a 2,000 foot restriction on auto sales and the applicant will need to seek a variance.  The Chairman explained known auto businesses are Brown’s Garage and Jack Murray’s business on Railroad Ave. 

 

Chairman Tillman stated he would like to see architectural improvements on building.  As this is a residential road he does not want any impact abutters and explained the board will be looking at landscaping, buffers, hours of operation, lighting, traffic in and out, and will have Mitchell look at parking.  Gleason explained there would be approximately 21 cars outside.

 

Chairman Tillman asked if the applicant is looking at antiques.  Gleason stated they would be classic and used cars.  Tillman asked where repairs would be done.  Gleason stated repairs will be inside.

 

Chairman Tillman informed Gleason he will have to present a sign application also.  Gleason stated there are two pylons out front that will be used for a sign for the business.

 

PUBLIC HEARING: Sign Waiver Request, Section 29 and Article 19

Owner/Developer:      David Just, Domino’s Pizza, prospective tenant Knightly Plaza

Location:                     Map 005 Lot 012. 629 Calef Highway (Rt. 125 & 155)

 

Dave Just came before the Board with an update on the site at Calef Highway.  Just presented photos showing different views of the site where the request for a Domino’s sign is proposed, as he explained there is a “lack of visibility” of the business.

 

Chairman Tillman stated he felt the consensus of the Board was to work with existing sign pillars which were approved with the initial site plan.  Chairman Tillman explained he feels within the architecture and aesthesis should work with what is already there at the site.

The Chairman explained he is not inclined to include support any waivers until the trucks are moved to the back of the building.

 

Morasco asked about the angling of the lights in back.  Just stated he spoke with Mr. Knightly and Mr. Ronan and explained Ronan was going to address that issue immediately.  Morasco stated, for this site, the lack of noticeable signage for Domino’s use; he did search out other Dominoes and stated he would not go for the Domino’s he saw on those sites.  Morasco mentioned keeping the sign inside placard on the bottom.  Morasco noted the issue with the trucks and asked Just to make sure that was taken care of.

 

Just informed the Board he would e-mail them more photos of the site with the sign.  As there were no further questions the Chairman called for a motion to continue.

 

Morasco moved, Colby seconded the motion to continue the hearing to April 3.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES – TOWN OF EPPING & MG PLANNING, LLC, for signature -- Morasco moved, Colby seconded the motion with the amendment on page 2, #4 from $2,500 to $3,000, and on page 8 back to $3,000.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Mitchell’s contract will be signed with the amendments on April 3, 2008.

 

Mitchell explained he would like to have more issues go before the Board than to him.  Mitchell explained he is going to focus on the Master Plan.  Chairman Tillman explained Mitchell will not be on site doing planning work but will be available on Thursdays if someone needs to meet with him. 

 

Chairman Tillman informed the Board at the next meeting they will discuss meeting on one Thursday a month to deal with hearings and the other Thursday for workshops.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

 

MINUTES OF 03/06/08 FOR APPROVAL – The minutes will be discussed for approval at the April 3, 2008 meeting.

 

DISCUSS MEETING START/END TIME – This will be discussed at the April 3, 2008 meeting.

 

ADJOURNMENT – The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Phyllis McDonough,

Planning Board Secretary

 

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