MONT VERNON PLANNING BOARD

Mont Vernon, NH 03057

MEETING MINUTES – TUESDAY MAY 26, 2009

AGENDA

7:00 PM Julie Whitcomb – preliminary discussion regarding a new location for the Mont Vernon General Store and building a small eatery off Francistown Turnpike.

7:15 PM Mail and Announcements

Review of April 14, 2009 minutes

Review of May 12, 2009 minutes

7:30 PM Private versus Public Road Discussion

8:30 PM Review map from NRPC

9:00 PM Adjournment

Seated: Vicky Arico, Annette Immorlica and Chip Spalding, chairperson

Selectmen’s Representative: John Quinlan

Absent: Jim Bird and Don Gunter

7:00 PM Julie Whitcomb – preliminary discussion regarding a new location for the Mont Vernon General Store and building a small eatery off Francistown Turnpike. Julie Whitcomb and Matt Gelbwaks were present. Julie Whitcomb stated that she and Matt Gelbwaks own the Mont Vernon General Store and they would like to offer more but can not at the current location. Whitcomb stated that they would like to incorporate a café and the General Store together at a new location, 7 Francistown Turnpike.

Rolf Biggers, of BMA Architectural, was present as well. Biggers stated that the new store and café will be located at the Francistown Turnpike and Rte.13 intersection. Biggers stated that the café will have approximately 20 seats. Biggers stated that the small barn, which will house the café, and the store will be built close to the existing house.

Spalding stated that they will need to apply for a Non-Residential Site Plan Review. Spalding also pointed out that this is a new proposed commercial use in a residential area and they will need to go to the Zoning Board of Adjustments (ZBA) for a special exception. Immorlica pointed out that it is a non-conforming lot and they will also need a variance. Immorlica stated that the present house is within the setbacks and they may need to talk to the ZBA about that as well. Immorlica stated that there is usually a large wet area at the proposed store site and that they should take the drainage issues into account. Immorlica suggested that they consider the flow of traffic because Beech Hill Road is not a good road. Immorlica asked if the state said they could not go out onto Rte.13. Biggers stated that they have not asked the state yet.

Ken Clinton, of Meridian Land Services, was present as well. Clinton asked the board if, at the first official meeting, they would be able to give the applicant some level of direction that they can take to the ZBA. Spalding stated that anything the planning board says can be overthrown by the ZBA because the ZBA first needs to grant the special exception. Immorlica pointed out that the planning board needs to accept the application first before sending them to the ZBA. Arico stated that, at the first meeting, they need to address the non-conformities for the ZBA and suggested that the planning board could invite someone from the ZBA to the planning board meeting. Quinlan stated that they should have a ZBA member at the first meeting and then decide jointly what the next step should be.

7:30 PM Review of Minutes Arico motioned to accept the minutes of May 12, 2009 as written. Immorlica seconded. Arico, Immorlica and Spalding were in favor. Quinlan abstained. The motion passed. Immorlica motioned to accept the minutes of April 14, 2009 as written. Arico seconded. Immorlica and Spalding were in favor. Arico and Quinlan abstained. The motion passed.

Spalding stated that Wes Sonner interested in the planning board and Paul Apple invited him to the meeting. Wes Sonner introduced himself. Sonner stated that he has lived in town for three years and would like to get involved in town. Sonner thought the planning board would be a good way to get involved. Immorlica pointed out that there are several trainings available to new members. Spalding stated that, if he is interested, Sonner needs to make his intent known to the Selectmen.

7:40 PM Quinlan left the meeting. Spalding stated that they should postpone the private versus public road discussion since Paul Apple was not present. Immorlica stated that she called the Office of Energy and Planning (OEP) and spoke with Chris Northrop regarding the existence of all public roads in any NH towns. Northrop stated that you can not legislate all public roads because the town votes on the road in March. Northrop stated that you can tell the developer to build the road to town specifications and then see if the town accepts it. Spalding asked if any towns require that roads be built to town specifications. Immorlica stated that yes most towns do and that most towns have different levels based on the number of houses on the road. Immorlica stated that they also need to discuss cul-de-sacs versus hammerheads and common driveways. Spalding stated that it seems Immorlica is proposing a stronger definition for driveways. Immorlica stated that they have no definitions driveway and common drive. Spalding stated that they need to get the Selectmen issues and then they can tack these issues on as well and discuss everything together.

7:55 PM Review of NRPC maps The board reviewed the map from NRCP and noted any inaccuracies that need to be changed.

8:35 PM Immorlica moved to adjourn the meeting. Arico seconded. All were in favor. The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Angela Wilson, Administrative Assistant