Tuftonboro Planning Board

Minutes- October 18, 2007- Approved

Board members present: Rick Friend, Sue Weeks, Dan Derby, Wilson Stewart, Jack Parsons, Tony Lyon

Minutes

Sept. 27 amended and approved. Stewart moved, Weeks second.

October 4 amended and approved. Stewart moved, Weeks second.

Discussion on LRPC membership

The LRPC is asking $3,523 for membership. The Board questioned whether this amount would cover all costs for the Town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan. Derby moved, Friend second, to join LRPC providing the whole plan would be covered.

Budget

Discussion tabled until the November 1 meeting.

Master Plan

Friend suggested that future public meetings on the Master Plan be preceded by substantial publicity, including media release.

7:30pm public meeting

Hertel subdivision

Wilson moved, Dan second to accept app. as complete. Rick read the list of abutters, several of whom were present. Don Voltz from Lindon Design Associates presented a plan for a 66.8 ac. lot and 1.05 ac. lot to be merged into subdivision, creating 19 lots ranging from 1.05 ac to 3.7 ac. The remaining 36.9 ac. back area would be left alone, as a single lot, partly due to the sensitivity of the soil there; however, some subdivision of this lot is possible.

Soil type is Gloucester sandy loam, with groundwater table in excess of 4’ deep. Topography shows slopes NE to SW; maps show drainage patterns and wetlands. There would be four wetlands impacts, totaling 8000 sq.ft.

The plan would create a new 2350’ rd. off Federal Corner Rd., an 18’ wide asphalt road with gravel shoulders with a maximum grade of 8%. The proposed road features a steep entrance. The Fire Chief wants turnouts every 600’ for emergency vehicles, and suggested and gave specifics on a 30,000 gallon cistern at the 2^nd turnout, 1300’ in. Weeks suggested putting it closer to the first lots to be developed, because cisterns are required for subdivisions of 5 or more lots.

Voltz presented a stormwater runoff plan. He stated that DES prefers smaller areas to detain and retain water; the plan features seven small detention ponds (2’ deep depressions), to allow water to be absorbed back into soil. Test pits show deep soil, with gravel bottom.

Each lot has 150’ minimum road frontage, and a minimum of 1 ac. contiguous non-wetland. A two phase project is proposed, beginning with 6 lots. Phase 1 includes an 800’ road. The road would be finished up to that point, and the rest finished when funds become available.

Lots have not yet been monumented.

Friend went through the checklist, and Weeks suggested the Town might want to have an engineer review it.

Friend asked for comments from abutters, at which point Dave Haeger inspected the map, questioning the location of the new road.

It was suggested that bonding be required for the whole road; when first part is done, the bond on that would be released. When the first part of the subdivision pays for itself, the remainder would be finished.

The Cul-de-sac has been okayed by the Fire Chief, since there are turnouts and cistern. Utilities will be on poles, not underground, then underground from poles to houses.

The Town will be asked to accept the road as a town road.

Lot 19 is also a lot line adjustment, but does not need to be a separate application.

The Board asked if there will be slope easements. Voltz said he can do that if necessary.

The Board has concerns that the detention ponds will be on private property. They will need to be maintained if the town is to maintain the road. Whose responsibility will it be? Weeks said it needs to be clear who maintains drainage. Voltz will create a small easement everyplace there is a drainage area; so each lot owner is aware that town may work there. He has applied for site specific, wetlands, and subdivision permits.

The Board would like the centerline of the road flagged, as well as corners of lots, so they can do a site walk.

Stewart reviewed the drainage report. The post-development phase will see increase (doubled) along one boundary line of runoff; Voltz claims it won’t have an effect on abutting property. Weeks and Stewart would like to have another engineer, probably HEB, take a look at this. The Board requested that Voltz submit a construction costs estimate, as well as a letter from PSNH re: powerlines.

Stewart pointed out that the Federal Corner Rd. culvert doesn’t appear on the plan, and that an engineering firm reviewing this will want to see the culvert on plans. Voltz says he couldn’t find it, although he noticed water seeping out. The culvert needs to be cleared out.

The Board questioned if it is necessary to provide notice to the school district, as abutters, and whether there will there be an impact on schools.

Derby suggested that the school be given a summary of total lots, or projected lots.

Weeks moved that the development will not have regional impact, Tony second, Board agreed.

Stewart asked if there will be enough lots to warrant a traffic study. Stewart so moved, Lyon second, Board agreed. The Board also expressed concerns about the steepness of the road’s entry, and safety issues. Stewart suggested that the lots be required to have predesigned driveways; this will be discussed during the site walk.

The date of the site visit will be Nov. 1, 7:30 am. Checklist #3 will be reviewed after the site visit. The hearing on this development was continued to the November 15 meeting, when it will be first on the agenda; Weeks moved, Friend second.

Terry Mitchell- Mountain Road- Group home- preliminary

Mitchell and his wife presented a concept for a group home in the Low Density Residential district on Mountain Road. The Board advised that the Mitchells consult the ZBA and retain legal counsel for advice.

Bill Holmes of Leavitt Lane- preliminary

Holmes appeared before the Board to discuss storage of vehicles on his property. The Board offered suggestions as to how to resolve the problem.

Meeting adjourned at 9:45; Derby so moved, Friend second.

Vicki Kinnaman

Planning Board, Secretary