Town of Walpole, Walpole, NH 03608
PLANNING BOARD WORK SESSION
May 27, 2008–7:00 pm
Town Hall Basement
MINUTES
Present: Jeff Miller, Bob Miller, Ben Daviss, Shane O’Keefe, Dave DeCoste, Fred Dill, Donn Lounsbury, Mel Schupack, Bob Jasse, Mary Lou Montgomery
Recording: Pamela Aslinger, Secretary
These minutes are unapproved and will be reviewed at the June 8, 2008 meeting for corrections.
Meeting opened at 7:10pm
Purpose of the meeting was to review final drafts of the goals and objectives and vision statement prepared over the last several months. The committee also reviewed for consideration into the Master Plan the “Comparative Land Values of Natural Resources for Walpole, NH 11/2007” and “Town-Wide Conservation Plan”, two documents prepared by SWRPC for the Conservation Commission. And to review a “Final map and flyer” prepared by the Community Conservation Partnership with the Monadnock Conservancy.
Mr. Bob Jasse announced that Alyson’s Orchard has been picked Best of NH 2008 by NH magazine’s editor for best Agricultural Experience. He praised the Town for the opportunities he has been given to develop his much cherished and successful endeavors. He stressed the need by the Master Planners to preserve Walpole’s character, to keep restrictions in balance, favoring creative and innovative land uses helping to promote Walpole but at the same time protecting it’s unique character. He has great hopes that what he has created will continue to contribute to Walpole for many years to come and can remain as a viable agricultural business. Attendees appreciate Mr. Jasse’s contributions adding to the face of Walpole as well as his comments and participation in the planning process.
Jeff Miller and Ben Daviss called for comments on the goals and objectives with Mr. Daviss compiling the notes for the final draft to be reviewed by SWRPC.
- Goal #1 add prior 2000 wording to #8 in order to reflect the survey wants. (pg. 26 Goal 4, #5)
- Discussed 4,5,6,7, 11 as being forms of cluster housing, all agreeing to eliminate 7 and 11 but leaving the rest in order to comply with State Law initiatives to address affordable housing, innovative land use and conserve natural features while allowing for future density based development initiatives.
- Goal #2 discussed defining “sprawl”, add “and home based businesses” to #5.
- Goal #3, #4, #5 no changes.
- Implementation and Administration - delete last two, they are duplicated.
- Discussion about Public Hearing timeframe for the July meeting once SWRPC has made their comments and review. Final revision needs to be presented to the Planning Board. Once adopted both Goals and Objectives and Vision Statement will be added to the Master Plan as amendments 2008. It was suggested SWRPC draft a new land use section based on these two committee documents. Mr. Daviss will set up a meeting with them in a week or so.
The Vision Statement was lightly gone over since it had been the focus at the prior work session.
- Ben presented the final revisions and asked for help on how to address (without sounding negative) - the impact of special exceptions in the rural agricultural districts that are residentially or agriculturally based. Attendees discussed several areas in Town that could be reconsidered for zoning changes to reflect an influx of industrial or commercial uses that have changed their character away from rural agricultural especially if they have the infrastructure such as highways, power, sewer and water. Also how to protect rural agriculturally used lands from inappropriate
industrial and commercial uses by incorporating certain wording into the vision statement. A suggestion was made to review all past and present special exceptions and variances to glean a pattern of development, placing the task of doing so in the “Implementation” section and to place certain standards on special exceptions, such as whether infrastructure is present to allow for a large-scale impact industrial operation. Also to implement a frequent review, every 2-3 years to monitor sites for non-compliance with the need for stronger enforcement, such as a Town Administrator that would oversee projects. Consider wording to the effect of “allowed by special exception if it conforms with specifically the land use section of the Master Plan” to amend the zoning ordinance.
- Discussed the changing face of agriculture from animal based to horticultural based, due to New England climate vs. southeastern states.
- Discussed importance of variable density allowances to prevent farms from being carved up and sold as house lots as well as other large tracts of land.
- Discussed concept of keeping Walpole’s small town character by not growing it to more than 3500 persons.
- Discussed making provisions for future generations to be able to live and work in Walpole by economic diversity and less expensive housing.
Attendees reviewed copies of the two Conservation Commission’s reports agreeing to set a public hearing in July for their adoption. The Monadnock Conservancy project was tabled until it can be completed at the suggestion of Mary Lou. Mel will ask Peter Palmiotto if he can make a brief presentation at the Public Hearing, as Jeff suggested. And Mel reminded everyone about the Conservation Commission’s Old Home Days booth, to stop by for a look at newly updated maps and materials.
Meeting closed at 8:45pm
cc: PB, MP, WCC, ZBA, Town Offices
Posted: Town Hall, Lobby, Burdick’s Market, www.thewalpolean.com, www.walpoleplanningboard.org