MONT VERNON PLANNING BOARD

Mont Vernon, NH 03057

MEETING MINUTES – TUESDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2009

AGENDA

7:00 PM Proposed Zoning Amendment to Section I-305.3(g) of Mont Vernon Zoning Regulations – Public Hearing

8:00 PM Discussion regarding private versus public roads

9:00 PM Adjournment

Seated: Vicky Arico, Mark Bolinsky, Don Gunter and Annette Immorlica, chairperson

Selectmen's Representative: John Quinlan

Absent: Jim Bird

7:00 PM Proposed Zoning Amendment to Section I-305.3(g) of Mont Vernon Zoning Regulations – Public Hearing Immorlica called the meeting to order. Dave Hall Sr., a member of the public, stated that it would be in the planning board's interest to have private roads as they see fit. Hall stated that it is a valuable planning tool for the board and requiring a town road may make a developer max out the density of the property. Hall stated that he has found that one of the biggest differentiations is whether the private roads are paved or not. Hall added that it usually decreases the problem if the road is paved. Gunter asked, if it is a private road, how do you make sure the road is passable for fire and police. Hall stated that, on the last private road he developed, the fire chief had a lot of input. Immorlica asked if putting pavement on the private road makes is more expensive. Hall stated that the specifications for the town roads is what makes it more expensive. Hall added that a lot depends on how many houses the road serves. Hall stated that the difficult thing with town roads is the cul-de-sac at the end.

Immorlica stated that, based on the fact that there was little public input and that Hall would like to see private roads still available, she would like to see the proposed ordinance withdrawn. Immorlica stated that the board needs to spend the next year addressing the issue. Quinlan stated that the Selectmen have already withdrawn the proposal. Hall asked any new specifications for roads would be put in the subdivision regulations. Chip Spalding, seated in the audience, stated that he felt the appropriate place would be the subdivision regulations. Spalding asked Hall if he had ever heard of private drives having condo association type structures. Hall stated that he has heard of it typically for larger roads as a homeowners association. Hall added that typically he has found the homeowners get together and figure it out for themselves. Immorlica stated that if they had a homeowners association, anyone buying the home will immediately be aware of that and know they have to pay fees. Quinlan stated that the main problem is that people can not get along and a homeowners association will not fix that.

Spalding stated that the only leverage the town has regarding road completion is if the road has been bonded. Hall stated that they should be careful about how they word the bonding issue. Hall added that, with town roads, building permits are not issued until the bonding has been put in place with the Selectmen. Hall stated that the Dutton Circle covenants have language regarding the private road as does the plan. Immorlica stated that the ideas they have discussed thus far are rigorous covenants and homeowners associations. Immorlica asked Spalding to call other towns and ask them how they maintain private roads, the number of houses they allow on private roads and any other questions he felt were necessary.

Arico stated that they should approach the problem from a different angle. Arico asked why the town can not plow all roads regardless of whether they are private or public. Immorlica stated that it costs more money. Arico stated that she does not care if it costs the town more money. Gunter stated that if the homeowners on the private roads are paying the same tax rate then they are entitled to the same services. Immorlica asked Arico to call the town of Temple and ask them why and how they plow all roads. Immorlica asked Bolinsky to call other towns and see how they have defined private roads, common driveways, co-located driveways and if they have a driveway ordinance. Gunter stated that he would gather the information from Amherst.

Immorlica asked if the Selectmen want the planning board to do the research for a driveway ordinance. Quinlan replied yes. The board briefly discussed the Master Plan.

7:55 PM Quinlan moved to adjourn the meeting. Bolinsky seconded. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Angela Wilson, Administrative Assistant

Action Items

Arico – Call town of Temple and ask how and why they plow all roads, private and public.

Bolinsky – Call surrounding towns and ask how they define private roads, common driveways, co-located driveways and if they have a driveway ordinance.

Gunter - Gather the above information from Amherst.

Spalding – Call surrounding towns and ask how they maintain private road and the number of houses they allow on private roads.