October 2, 2008 Planning Board Minutes
Chairman Mike Ouellet called the meeting to order at 7 pm. Board members present were Kevin McKinnon, Sandra Riendeau, Irene Bean and Selectman Roland Cotnoir.
Others present were John Forbes, Marie and Dan Beloin, Dana Masson, Dennis Boudle, Edward Smith, Karen Ladd and Sheila Beauchemin.
Building Permits:
Marie Josee Vaillant – Slab to support a windmill to be placed at 158 Angels Road (R6 Lot 2). David Belanger explained that there would be three slabs, 24” x 24”, to support three windmills with a height of 30 feet. The design is vertical rotors rather than the customary blades and would generate noise under 45 decibels. Sandra Riendeau made a motion to approve the permit, conditional on receiving payment; Kevin McKinnon seconded and all present agreed. CONDITIONAL APPROVAL - #2008-74
Tim Jandreau – 300 square foot addition (fourth bedroom) to their residence at 59 Bridge Street (106-11). It was noted the residence is served by town water and sewer. Kevin McKinnon made a motion to approve the permit; Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed. APPROVED - #2008-75
Jay & Christie Weir – Place a roof over the existing deck at 719 East Colebrook Road (R12 Lot 118A). Kevin McKinnon made a motion to approve the permit; Roland Cotnoir seconded and all present agreed. APPROVED - #2008-76
Craig Jewett – 5’ x 5’ foundation for windmill on his property at 50 Shallow Road. Kevin McKinnon made a motion to approve the permit; Irene Bean seconded and all present agreed. APPROVED - #2008-77
Kevin McKinnon – 19’ x 48’ sawmill shed to be placed on his property at 50 South Hill Road. Roland Cotnoir made a motion to approve the permit; Irene Bean seconded. There were three votes in favor and one abstention (KM). APPROVED - #2008-78
Philip & Bridget Freudenberger – 20’ x 32’ barn to be placed on their property at 40 Brandy Lee Lane. It was noted that there is no zoning in Colebrook, therefore an agricultural endeavor may be included in a residential area. Roland Cotnoir made a motion to approve the permit; Irene Bean seconded and all present agreed. APPROVED - #2008-79
Edward C. Smith – 10’ x 10’ bathroom addition to the residence at 16 Susan’ Way. Kevin McKinnon made a motion to approve the permit; Roland Cotnoir seconded and all present agreed. APPROVED - #2008-80
N.H. Electric Coop – 10’ x 40’ pole shed inside the fence at their business located at 71 Trooper Les Lord Memorial Highway. Kevin McKinnon made a motion to approve the permit; Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed. APPROVED - #2008-81
James & Vicki Salonia – 24’ x 32’ garage to be placed on their property at 794 Reed Road. Roland Cotnoir made a motion to approve the permit; Kevin McKinnon seconded and all present agreed. APPROVED - #2008-82
Robinson’s Repairs – 60’ x 80’ commercial garage to replace the garage that burned at 37 Airport Road (110-19). Roland Cotnoir made a motion to approve the permit; Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed. Sandra Riendeau made a motion to waive the fee; Irene Bean seconded and all present agreed. APPROVED - #2008-83
Sign Permit:
John Forbes – 10” x 30” non-illuminated sign, stating “North Country Realty Services & Justice of the Peace”, to be placed on the porch posts at 127 Main Street. Landowners permission was attached. Kevin McKinnon made a motion to approve the permit; Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed. APPROVED - #2008-84
Kevin McKinnon – 2’ x 4’ non-illuminated sign, stating “Ledgewater Lumber” on both sides, to be placed beside the driveway to the barn at 37 South Hill Road. Sandra Riendeau made a motion to approve the permit and Irene Bean seconded. The vote was three in the affirmative, with one abstention (KM). APPROVED - #2008-85
Waiver of Site Plan Regulations:
Michael Robinson - Request for a waiver of site plan regulations for the use of the property located at 109 Colby Street. Mr. Robinson proposed to establish an auto repair and vehicle sales at this site. His grounds for a waiver were that the building had been used for auto repair just recently. It was explained this is just a short time venture while the new garage is being built to replace the burned one, and gives him a physical address to keep his dealership status. It was understood the area would be used for office and storage space; however, no cars would be stored on site. It was noted no batteries could be stored on site either. A time limit of 90 days was set; if more time was needed, the matter would need to come before the Board for further review. A letter of
permission from the landowner would be secured. Roland Cotnoir made a motion to approve the waiver; Kevin McKinnon seconded and all present agreed. Sandra Riendeau made a motion to waive the fee; Kevin McKinnon seconded and all present agreed. Mr. Robinson will be advised that the waiver is granted for 90 days from October 7, 2008, and should there be a problem regarding this site in the future, the Planning Board had the right to ask for a full site plan review and public hearing. APPROVED
Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital - Request for a waiver of site plan regulations for the use of the property located at 183 Corliss Lane. The hospital proposed to lease the trailer currently located in the field on the side of the UCVH facility to the 45th Parallel EMS for use as a EMS facility until theirs can be constructed. The grounds for a waiver were that the building had been, until this time, used as a conference room. The 45th Parallel EMS will use it as office space, conference space and sleeping quarters. No water or sewer hook-up will be necessary as the staff will use the UCVH facilities. Irene Bean made a motion to approve the waiver as presented; Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed. The hospital will be advised that, should there be a problem
regarding this site in the future, the Planning Board has the right to ask for a full site plan review and public hearing. APPROVED
Voluntary Merger:
George & Judith Jacques – Merge lots 33 & 34 on Tax Map 214, located at 12 Stevens Hill Road. As this merger does not create a violation of current ordinances or regulations, Irene Bean made a motion to approve the voluntary merger as presented; Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed. It was understood by Mr. & Mrs. Jacques that no such merged parcel shall be separately transferred without subdivision approval.
Subdivision Public Hearing:
Gaston & Sandra Riendeau – Chairman Ouellet read the application for a proposed two-lot subdivision of the property located on Piper Hill Road owned by Gaston and Sandra Riendeau and Edward Smith. Kevin McKinnon made a motion, seconded by Roland Cotnoir, to approve the application as presented. The vote was three in the affirmative and one abstention (SR).
The proposed subdivision would remove four (4) acres from Gaston and Sandra Riendeau’s property (R6 Lot 36) and add it to Edward Smith’s property (R6 Lot 45). After careful review, it was determined the newly created lot for Mr. Smith would not violate the 4:1 ratio in the Town of Colebrook’s Subdivision Regulations. Kevin McKinnon made a motion to approve the subdivision plan as presented; Irene Bean seconded the motion. The vote was in the affirmative with one abstention (SR). #668
Excavation Permit:
Sheldon Gray – Mr. Gray submitted an application to close the excavation gravel pit located off Fish Hatchery Road at 19 Grayson Road (227-2). The site has been depleted with the slopes graded (2:1; 3:1 and 4:1) and mulched. Grading and planting of vegetation has been completed to control erosion. The area is now in a state of natural repose. Kevin McKinnon made a motion to accept the remediation and closure plan as presented; Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed.
Conceptual:
Marie Beloin – Mrs. Beloin and her son, Dan, appeared to question if her property on Corliss Lane could be subdivided. It appeared that the new lot would have a frontage less than 150 feet; therefore, it was explained that the Planning Board would have no option but to deny this subdivision if presented as it would violate the Zoning Ordinance for the Town of Colebrook. It was explained, however, that it would always be possible, after the Planning Board’s review and denial, to appeal the decision to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a variance.
Dennis Boudle – Mr. Boudle approached the Board regarding expansion of the Boudle Trailer Park. Dennis explained that he would like to add ten new lots behind his father’s house. Sandra Riendeau questioned if this was a wetland area. Dennis stated he did not feel it was as this portion of the property sets higher than the current trailer park, and that the original pond was further down Park Street towards the center of town. Kevin McKinnon explained that the Comprehensive Shoreline Protection Act does not currently include Beaver Brook; however, more and more streams are being added. That would affect any proposed development. A review of the FEMA maps for Park Street appears to place the property in question within the floodplain. Also questioned was whether the new development
set-up would allow fire trucks to access all trailers. Dennis explained that he had included a cul-de-sac for that purpose.
Dennis was advised that he would need to bring in documentation regarding the floodplain status prior to any discussion of expansion.
Certificate of Occupancy Issue:
Kevin McKinnon explained that Fire Chief Brett Brooks had spoken to him regarding the amount of time that is spent to do the furnace and gas inspections now required by law, prior to the Planning Board approving and signing the certificate of occupancy. He has requested that a fee be included within the budget for reimbursement. The Board questioned if it should be a flat fee, determined by the Board, and passed on to the homeowner. It was also questioned if payment for services might create more liability issues for the Town. This issue will be looked into further.
New Business:
The following certificates of occupancy were presented and signed: Walter Neuman and Neil Couture.
Howard Day – Kevin McKinnon informed the Board that Howard Day had questioned recently if it would be possible to place a trailer on a vacant lot owned by a private individual but within the Windsor Park Estates Trailer park. He also questioned if the trailer could be connected to town water and sewer. Kevin explained that, even though the land is privately owned, the water and sewer lines within the trailer park belong to Castmin Realty and it would be Castmin Realty that would have to give permission for the trailer to be connected to those lines. The placement of a trailer would not be a problem as long as it complied with the current zoning regulations for setbacks; and a letter of approval from the trailer park owner to connect to the water and sewer line was obtained.
Roland Cotnoir made a motion to approve payment of the $40 invoice from the News & Sentinel. Sandra Riendeau seconded and all present agreed.
In response on how to handle a Notice of Decision when a site plan is approved conditionally, it was decided to wait until the conditions had been met before sending it.
The Board was advised of the North Country Council meetings on October 28th and November 5th regarding community planning, outreach programs, and how to run effective meetings. Chairman Ouellet will attend both meetings.
The letter sent to Shawn and Laurie Keezer regarding the construction of two additional accesses without a written permit was reviewed. They were instructed to remove the additional accesses and restore the roadside to its original condition due to the unsafe nature. The public works director will review the area prior to the next meeting.
Sandra Riendeau made a motion to approve the September 2, 2008 minutes as written. Kevin McKinnon seconded and all present agreed.
The meeting was adjourned at 9 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheila M. Beauchemin
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