TOWN OF STODDARD
PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD September 7, 2010
MEETING CONVENED AT 7:00 PM
Members attending included: Ruth Ward, Terry McMahon, Arnie Stymest, Robert Fee and Harry Power, alternate. Excused were Beverly Gay and George Preston. Absent was Dale Smith. Harry Power was asked to step in for George Preston.
Correspondence: Email from Elizabeth McCormack re: Todd Amelang plans to apply to ZBA; Shoreland Impact Application and Permit for Robert & Denise Swan on tax map# 136, parcel # 11 on Island Pond; NHDES Shoreland Application by Mark & Sherri Hodgson on tax map# 124 parcel # 8; Dredge and Fill Application by the State of NH for bridge maintenance at the narrow "stone & Twin Culvert" bridge at the Rt. 123 N corner by Highland Lake; email from George Preston re: absence from meeting; phone call from Beverly Gay - can not attend meeting; certified mail from Town of Troy re: Cell Tower hearing; email from Terry McMahon re: discussion material on CPO; notice from LGC re: law lecture series.
Minutes of previous meeting: Ruth Ward moved and Robert Fee seconded to accept the minutes of the August 3, 2010 meeting as presented, the board approved.
Public rudimentary questions: None
Old business: Concerning the part of Robert Fee's letter, referring to town liability on Private Roads, is not accurate. Harry Power said that he has researched the subject and the town is not liable for any event that occurs on a Private Road. The example Robert Fee referred to, on Marlow Hill in Marlow, was on a Class VI Highway, not a Private Road.
The board held a detailed discussion on the 5 questions that board members presented at the last board meeting. Terry McMahon's submittal sheet was shortened to 6 survey questions that the board felt would likely be answered and returned. One of the issues Terry McMahon presented was a requirement that any "lot size averaging" program would need to include the balance of the parcel to be "forever" prevented from further subdivision. Robert Fee noted that if an owner wanted to challenge that "forever" condition, there would surely be a way found to circumvent the condition.
The following questions were agreed upon:
1. What attracted you to move to Stoddard?
2. What would be the major reason for you to leave Stoddard?
3. What is the ideal size of a lot in Stoddard, to allow the town to retain its rural character?
4. The Stoddard Village Area (along route 123) is restricted to allow only in-home businesses, which do not permit in and out, foot traffic. Would you be in favor of relaxing that restriction to allow for light retail businesses which would allow for visits by customers and their parking i.e. a bake shop, craft shop, beauty/barbershop, shoe repair business?
5. As you are aware, Stoddard has a vast amount of land that is open to diverse recreational activities. What would you like to see the Planning Board do to keep those opportunities available?
6. What recreational improvement/enhancements would you like to see in Stoddard?
New business: None
Subdivision applications: None
Site Plan Review: None
Other business: Terry McMahon relayed that the LGC workshops and annual conference are very informative and he urged all members to attend as money well spent.
Harry Power reported that he has checked with an attorney at the LGC about commercial enterprises that were in existence prior to Site Plan Review and Zoning. He asked the attorney if a building permit could be issued, for instance, for a shed, garage, etc without obtaining Site Plan Review. The resultant advice was that a Site Plan Review is required for any such expansion of the facilities.
Secretary’s Cumulative Hours: 24
Adjourned: Harry Power moved and Robert Fee seconded to adjourn at 8:50 PM, the board agreed.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia E. Putnam
Secretary