TOWN
OF EPPING , NEW
HAMPSHIRE
PLANNING BOARD MEETING
THURSDAY APRIL 23, 2009
PRESENT – Greg Tillman, Mike Morasco, Tom Dwyer, Jr.; Alternate Dave Crowell; Selectmen’s Representative Karen Sott; Planner Clay Mitchell, Secretary Phyllis McDonough.
CALL TO ORDER – Vice Chairman Morasco called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., and appointed Crowell to sit in for Colby. Vice Chair Morasco wished Colby a speedy recovery.
PUBLIC HEARING: Site Plan architectural information
Owner/Developer: Waterstone Retail Development
Location:
Vice Chairman Morasco read notice for a Site Plan application. There were no abutters present.
Mitchell explained this is a vested approval with some changes. He stated the applicant is before the Board to bring the application up to date in terms of what will be going on the site as versus to what’s already been approve.
Morrill explained the access drive has stayed the same as the original layout with a center turn lane so vehicles can get into a left turn lane. Morrill explained the design is more of a courtyard style development with concrete sidewalks and vertical granite curbs. Morrill explained there are three, twelve foot lanes to allow for continuous flow of traffic. Morrill showed the directional signs on the plan to direct people to the retail uses.
Selectman Sott asked Mitchell when he reviewed the changes in access and egress if he addressed the problems that happened at WalMart at Christmas. Mitchell explained the signage and the pass through lanes will help, and to also have the applicant sit with the fire and police to go over that issue to suggest having a detail officer on site during those busy times of the year.
Dwyer asked about the stop sign and the pedestrian access
way to the site.
Chairman Tillman joined the meeting.
Morasco reiterated Dwyer on the adequate pedestrian access to the site.
Selectman Jim McGeough came before the Board and congratulated the members for all their hard work on this project stating it is a big plus for the Town and noted that the board has done an excellent job and extended his appreciation to Clay Mitchell for all his hard work and dedication to the Town. The audience applauded.
Selectman Rene Archambault also congratulated the Board on all their hard work and a job well down on the project. Selectman Archambault noted that this project enhances a positive image of Epping, and also thanked Mitchell the Town’s Planner for all his hard work.
Chairman Tillman questioned the entrance way extends from
the entry to the last curb cut and asked how far that extends.
Morasco questioned how many cars can cue at Burger King. Morrill noted three or four. Morrill explained there is a second entrance being put in the back of Burger King.
Chairman Tillman asked Mitchell if there were any issues on the traffic flow. Mitchell explained there is an area in the front of the site, although noted with signage it will help. Morrill noted the cars coming out have a stop control.
Morasco explained there is a site in town where there is a
problem with a stop control and asked that this issue be looked at.
Chairman Tillman asked
After a discussion on traffic flow Mitchell asked
Mitchell advised to allow the first tenant to go in with the understanding that the applicant come back before the Board because the Board then will know if the site is going to function. Mitchell explained if the site is not functioning properly, the applicant will comply with new configuration and also based on fire and police input.
Chairman Tillman asked about the materials that will be
used.
The Board agreed the main building needs more architecture
on the brick part of that building.
Selectman Sott reminded the board of the problem with the trees in the island dying at the WalMart site due to the snow plowing. Mitchell explained the trees will be clumped more together and the islands are wider at this site and should not be a problem.
Morrill briefly discussed pedestrian access to the
site. Dwyer suggested to have the
sidewalk to the north access go across to the retail and to take the sidewalk
from 125 to the entire building.
Chairman Tillman asked how much of the layout approval is
needed to move forward.
Morasco asked about dumpster placement.
Morasco moved, Dwyer seconded the motion to accept the plan. The motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Tillman moved, Morasco seconded the motion to approve the architecture, footprint of the larger buildings, the main parking area of the larger buildings; with the layout of the roads, and detail of traffic flow to be reviewed at a later time, before other tenants come in and subject to a review by police and fire. The motion carried unanimously.
DISCUSSION: Lowe’s Update
Parties: Carey Oak
Location:
Carey Oak came before the Board to revisit the plan brought before the Board in October 2008 and at that meeting it was approved to have items under the canopy and in the garden center. Oak explained they will be moving the sheds away from the building out into the parking lot and will include highway trailers. She explained they would like to take 16 parking spots for the area in question from now until October and trailers will be moved into the garden center during the winter. Chairman Tillman asked if the area will be roped off. Oak explained they will not be roped off but will be in an alcove area, off to the side of the building. Oak explained there will be sheds, with the trailers in an angle in front of the sheds and an area for pedestrian traffic to view the displays.
Morasco asked if these are half or full sized sheds. Oak explained they are half sized sheds at the moment but would go to full sized sheds if approved. Morasco stated he would like the area checked out by the fire department if more of an area is needed.
Chairman Tillman stated it looks like the center area is being used. Oak explained it is which is the reason she called for Kramer to go to the site and walk with her to make sure everything is being done according to the site plan.
Chairman Tillman questioned if area E has already been approved. Dwyer noted this area was discussed and approved at the last meeting when Lowe’s came before the Board.
Chairman Tillman asked Oak to explain the area she would like approval on. Oak explained it is area E is approved for sheds and trailers. Oak explained the coral would go up on a Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00 pm in the E area, which is approved where the highway trailers are to go.
Morasco explained the 16 space area can be played with at this time. He stated that Areas A, B, and C are approved until June 1.
The Chairman advised that Lowe’s needs to come back before the Board for a public hearing on any further site changes.
PUBLIC HEARING: Site Plan – Al & Joelle Case (Al’s Painting)
Owner: Alice Lavoie
Location:
Chairman Tillman
read a letter from Will Ralph, authorized person to speak on behalf of the
property owner Alice Lavoie. Ralph
explained they will be closing off the Elm Street access; replace cement
barriers with a fence, large landscape stones or shrubs, a crushed rock parking
area for Cases’s vehicles, remove the unregistered van, and remove construction
debris.
Selectman Sott
informed Case that any removal of the jersey barriers is a Selectmen issue and
advised Case to make an appointment to meet with the Selectmen. Selectman Sott asked where the large trailer
will be put. Al Case explained it will
be moved to the left hand side near the fireworks store and has not yet because
of the ground being too soft.
Morasco asked
where the dumpster is. Case explained it
is out back but they have a hard time getting to it.
Crowell asked
about the unregistered vehicle on the site and when it would be removed. Case’s business partner stated he will have
it moved in a week.
Mitchell informed
the Board he met with the electrician and gave him two options regarding the
signage lights.
Chairman Tillman
asked about the type of fence. Al Case
explained it will be a white vinyl privacy fence out by dumpster. Chairman Tillman stated he does not want to
see a chain link fence.
Chairman Tillman
stated there are to be no unregistered vehicle kept on site, and all company
vehicles parked as far from road as possible on the new parking area.
Kramer noted the
front of this site there area artificial flowers and cranes that look
tacky. Case responded that Kramer should
take a ride down Route 125 and look at some of those sites. Case noted he finds Kramer’s opinion bias.
Morasco thanked
Kramer for all his input on this site and for being the fore front on this
site. Morasco also thanked Case for his
business in Town.
Dwyer moved, Crowell
seconded the motion to approve the shrubs or stones along
PUBLIC HEARING:
Owner/Developer: Pearson Way Development Co., LLC
Location:
Chairman Tillman read notice for the Site Plan Condo Building Phasing.
Lou Sera came before the Board and explained he is looking for permission to do phasing for the construction at Pearson Way Condos which were approved in 2007, in order to obtain financing on condo’s 50 percent occupancy is needed and if he is able to phase he does have 50 percent. Sera explained the first building is already occupied and the second building is almost built.
Mitchell explained this is a reasonable request and helps home owners. When this was approved there was no need to phase although had concerns on the finishing of the final pavement. Sera explained he is hoping by the end of the year he will have all four buildings up and noted there is no risk on the road as the binding coat is good forever and explained he will do the final pavement when the heavy equipment is out of the way.
Abutter Lee asked if the fence in the back could be removed. Sera noted he would look into that and does not see a problem.
Dwyer moved, Selectman Sott seconded the motion that building 1 and 2 be part of the first phase, building 3 part of second phase, and building 4 part of third phase. The motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING: Site Plan & Special (Conditional) Use Permit
Owner/Developer: Seacoast United Soccer Club for additional parking & outdoor pavilion.
Location: Shirking Road, Map 035 – Lots 28 & 27.3
Chairman Tillman explained the Board received correspondence
from the Town of
Christian Smith explained the proposal is to add additional
stalls, to erect a 40 x 84 open air pavilion and to expand the parking lot in
the area of the existing parking lot.
Smith explained this is to insure that no vehicles ever park on
Chairman Tillman asked Mitchell if he has any concerns. Mitchell stated he has no concerns with the additional parking and pavilion as this is what has been requested of the applicant.
Dwyer referred to the end of the parking lot and asked that those few spaces be removed so that traffic flows easier and no one gets trapped at that end of the parking lot.
A brief discussion ensued on lighting of the pavilion. Willis informed the Board that the lights on the site will light up the pavilion.
Chairman Tillman referred to the letter and explained he does not want to diminish the concerns of the Fremont Planning Board and noted that he does not feel that ordinary traffic of cars is not a significant wear and tear factor on a well constructed road. He stated there is increased traffic on the road and there are heavy oil trucks that travel the road, and does not feel this can be reasonably assessed by Epping.
Mitchell explained the Board does not have the authority to assess any off site impact fees, although can advise the applicant to meet with the Fremont Planning Board.
Dwyer moved, Selectman Sott seconded the motion to accept the plan. The motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Tillman noted that the Conservation Commission did see the wetlands permit and were satisfied.
Chairman Tillman moved, Dwyer seconded the motion to give an after-the-fact approval of the Conditional Use permit based on the lack of objection from the Conservation Commission with the minor nature of the wetlands. The motion carried unanimously.
Dwyer moved, Morasco seconded the motion to approve the plan for the open air pavilion 40 x 84 with a concrete floor and the additional parking to be configured with the traffic flow. The motion carried unanimously.
MINUTES OF 3/26/09 FOR APPROVAL – The minutes of 3/26/09 will be reviewed at the May 28th meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE FROM APPLEDORE ENGINEERING – The Board agreed to invite the associate, Jennifer Viarengo to the next meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE RE: THIBEAULT PROPERTIES & INVESTMENTS – Mitchell explained Thibeault is acknowledging the support they have given to the Town and have asked that it be a substitution for further infusions of cash into the accounts which leaves a total due of $10,000. Mitchell explained he spoke with Mark Nickerson to try and have a dry hydrant put in on the first loop of the Orchards, and Thibeault can work with Orchards to have it put in then everything will be complete.
Chairman Tillman moved, Dwyer seconded the motion to confirm the amount as being paid and accept the contribution as specified. The motion carried unanimously.
Mitchell explained he would contact Jones & Beach about his conversation with Mark Nickerson regarding the dry hydrant, and stated if there are any disagreements he will bring it back next month.
Chairman Tillman moved, Morasco seconded the motion to have Mitchell check with Jones & Beach on this issue. The motion carried unanimously.
NH SOILS FOR A GRANT -- Dwyer moved, Selectman Sott seconded the motion to approve Mitchell filing with NH Soils for a grant to inventory public open spaces in Town. Motion carried unanimously.
SITE INSPECTIONS -- Mitchell informed the Board he went on two site inspections, one was fine the other was not. Mitchell explained he brought Kramer out to the site that had problems and Kramer was to follow up on this problem, and for Kramer to also communicate to the holder of the building permit that it is unacceptable and no further permits or inspections will be made.
WATERGATE APARTMENTS – Mitchell explained there is a water problem on site and will do a site walk. Dwyer and Selectman Sott asked to be included in this.
SELECTMAN SOTT noted that it’s a pleasure to see what’s going on behind Burger King, and stated the Boards need to all be kept in the loop to talk about their thoughts of what’s going on in town. She highly praised the Board and Mitchell for all their hard work.
ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Phyllis McDonough
Planning Board Secretary
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