DUNBARTON PLANNING BOARD

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2002

TOWN OFFICES – 7:00 P.M.

A special informational workshop meeting was held at the above time, date and place with Chairman James Marcou presiding. The following members were present:

James Marcou, Chairman

Kenneth Swayze, Co-Chairman

Alison Vallieres, Secretary

Carter Higginbotham

Brian Nordle

Charles Graybill, Selectman

George Holt

Michael Poirier, Alternate

Michael Tardiff and Lucy St. John of the Central New Hampshire Regional Planning Commission were present to give input on particular issues for the Weston Proposed Subdivision.

At the beginning of the meeting, it was verified with the Secretary that the meeting had been posted in three public places throughout the Town according to State Statute and published on the web page for Dunbarton.

Lucy St. John presented a letter outlining her concerns re the Weston Proposed Subdivision. (Attached)

She stated that she wanted the Board to know that this was not a comprehensive review for compliance with all applicable town regulations or determining subdivision application completeness acceptance criteria. The intent is clearly to present some general observations relative to the overall design and general features outlined in the subdivision plan. The comments are based on review of the plans, a site visit was not conducted by CNHRPC.

General Issues as follows:

1. Wetland Issues (see letter)

2. Roadway Issues (see letter)

3. Possibility of groundwater contamination by Town Garage property.

4. Necessary State and Federal Permits i.e. Site Specific, Wetlands and State Subdivision Approvals.

5. Recommend Engineer Review with particular focus on wetland impacts of the development and roadway design, etc. (see letter)

6. 8% grade in a residential subdivision seems to be pretty great.

7. Need input from the Fire Department and Police Department (Letter attached from Police Chief)

8. Need to make sure you have the proper bonding for road, etc.

9. Easements to Town should be reviewed by Town Counsel.

10. Why didn’t the applicant consider a PRD Development instead of a standard subdivision.

11. Would recommend a through road for several reasons, one of which it promotes a neighborhood and in addition, in the Dunbarton Master Plan there was reference to problems with culdasacs, etc. Dead end roads create problems. It is a safety issue also.

12. Would like to see a buffer zone around the Town Garage. Garage has been there for 30 years. Presently are testing salt issues around the garage. How do we protect new abutters. Needs to be a landscape buffer with vegetation tall enough for fencing.

James Marcou – Noted there was quite a bit of acreage beyond this point. Will leave land isolated now. How do we tie it back in later. Having a through road is good planning. I don’t think it is a good approach to isolate land.

Brian Nordle – Stated that in some other towns, they require that roads be extended to the property lines.

Kenneth Swayze – Stated that in Bow they required that roads be extended to the Town in the case where his subdivision was at an intersection of three Towns.

David Breault – If I were a house holder on this road, I would not want a through road. Must respect the people’s wishes who live there now.

Brian Little – Stated that with regard to response time to emergencies, people respond from all areas of Town not necessarily the Center of Town. When Goffstown responds, it is shorter to come from Goffstown. Weare comes from their fire station. Our police officers respond from their homes I think.

Lucy St. Clair stated that she felt due to the wetlands, some of the lots were a little tight and questioned as to whether or not they would be able to receive State Subdivision approval. The Board would need to see State Subdivision approvals before final approval. Possibility of too many lots for this particular parcel.

Debra Foster – Stated she was concerned about affect on the existing water supply. Asked in the general planning, why hasn’t this been addressed.

The Board noted possibly the developer needs to do a water study.

The Board asked if they would have the right to deny this subdivision or any other subdivision on the basis of water studies.

It was noted that the planners knew of no towns that had denied subdivisions, etc. based on water issues at this time.

David Breault suggested that there be sidewalks for walking within this subdivision.

Mike Tarsa asked what a Major and Minor Road definitions were. He stated that the connecting road would have fourteen houses on it, therefore he felt it would be a major road. Stated that if this is considered a major road, the grade is too great.

George Holt asked the Central Regional Planning people what they felt the maximum density would be for a culdasac. They responded that every situation is different. Some towns do limit the length of a culdasac. It was noted there was no ideal number.

Board asked if they should consider having a stop sign at the end of the road onto Everett Road.

Lucy St. Clair stated the Board can request a change in the alignment of the road at this time making it less intrusive on the abutter (Zeller).

Mark Tarsa – Asked if Ms. St. Clair had actually driven into Dunbarton. We are talking about making a connecting road. Most of the people would be in favor of a culdasac instead of a connecting road.

Planners noted that a culdasac concentrates traffic into one way in and out.

Jon Wiggin, Fire Chief – He stated his concerns were public safety and fire issues. If they had to they could get into this, but we would have a lot less response time. In addition, there is 180 degree turn at Route 13 onto Mansion Road from the Center and it is very difficult for the fire truck to maneuver. This is strictly a public safety issue and a through road makes sense. Would accept a gate. Don’t see using Mansion Road as a short cut. I don’t see a lot of traffic on that road.

Diana Zeller Representative – Stated they were not in favor of having a through road. There are presently two houses on the road. There will be major traffice. Two cars can’t drive on the road right now, one has to pull over. I like it the way it is. I am unclear how this makes it more of a neighborhood.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Alison Vallieres, Secretary

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