City Council

Minutes were approved by the Government Operations & Ordinances Committee on May 22, 2024. CITY OF LACONIA - CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING Government Operations & Ordinances 2:00 P.M. 2/29/2024 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Councilor Haynes called the meeting to order at 2:07 PM 2. SALUTE TO THE FLAG Councilor Haynes led the salute to the flag. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Nancy Brown, Administrative Secretary 4. ROLL CALL Ms. Brown called the roll of the following committee members: Councilor Cheney, Councilor Haynes and Councilor Felch. All committee members were in attendance and a quorum was established. 5. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Kirk Beattie, City Manager 6. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 7. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ORDINANCES (Haynes, Felch, Cheney) 7.A. Election of a Chair for the Government Operations & Ordinances Subcommittee Councilor Felch nominated Councilor Haynes to be the Chair of the Government Operations & Ordinances Subcommittee, the nomination was seconded by Councilor Cheney. There was no further discussion. Councilor Haynes accepted the nomination. 7.B. Discussion of Historic District Overlay Chairman Haynes said at a Planning Board meeting he was attending, there was discussion of property in the Weirs are becoming scarce, and he is fearful that buildings that have historic significance are going to start disappearing if we do not create a district overlay for these buildings. He thought there was significant work already done on this subject but there were a few items within it that came up that needed clarification. He also thought there were questions from the council on what defines historical significance. There was a brief discussion about a property near the entrance to South Down and the property, the buildings on the parcel are very old one could argue that the property has significant historical significance. Director Mora said they are looking to demolish the buildings and subdivide the lot into 7 residential building lots. There are other areas in the City that need to be looked at on this subject as well.  There was a brief discussion about a property near the entrance to South Down and the property, the buildings on the parcel are very old one could argue that the property has significant historical significance. Director Mora said they are looking to demolish the buildings and subdivide the lot into 7 residential building lots. There are other areas in the City that need to be looked at on this subject as well. 7.C. Discussion of time limit for demolition permits Planning Director Rob Mora was present at the meeting for this topic. Chairman Haynes said he knew the prior planning director was working on this item. Chairman Haynes said he’d like to see demolition permits be the same as building permits when it comes to applying to extensions. Currently there is no limit to an extension on a demolition permit. Director Mora reviewed the various permits and extensions that go through between the Planning Department and the Code Department with the committee. Chairman Haynes would like to see an amendment made to the existing ordinance and brought forth to the Council. The committee voted to change the demolition permit ordinance adding a sunset clause of 1 year and the applicant would be able to apply for a one-time 6-month extension and Director Mora will make the changes and it will be presented to the full council. All committee members were in favor. 7.D. Review of items referred to the Government Operations and Ordinances Committee As noted on City Council agendas, following is a list of items that have been referred to the Government Operations and Ordinances Subcommittee for further review: - Review of Chapter 167, Noise and Chapter 161, Licensing as they pertain to outdoor sound equipment and loudspeakers Strike - Ordinance amending Chapter 221, Vehicles and Traffic/Parking on Sublawns Director Anderson was present for this item. Chairman Haynes would like to see areas that there is no grass growing to add crushed stone rather than hydroseeding. The committee agreed. Strike - Procedural review of grant applications Strike - Regulation of short-term residential rental businesses Keep - Proposed Historic Overlay District Keep - Scenic Road motorcycle noise petition  - Proposed Historic Overlay District Keep - Scenic Road motorcycle noise petition Signs have been placed in this area. Strike - Use of public property by for-profit entities Strike - Short term rentals Strike/ Duplicate as above. - Naming privileges to public areas Please note that removal of any items listed on the Council agenda under the “Committee Reports” section requires a vote of the full Council. Strike Councilor Felch made a motion to remove the items from the Council agenda as listed above, seconded by Councilor Cheney. The motion passed with all in favor. Add Property Maintenance Add Performance Zoning 8. CITIZENS REQUESTS TO COMMENT ON CURRENT AGENDA ITEMS 9. Any other business that may come before the Council Councilor Cheney said he spoke to Director Mora about Performance zoning, and he’d like to see this added to the list and he’d like to discuss code enforcement in the future. Manager Beattie stated he believes the Mayor already assigned performance zoning to a subcommittee, it may be this committee and if it is we should schedule a meeting about just Performance Zoning. Chairman Haynes agrees there are things within code enforcement that need to be tightened up. 10. ADJOURNMENT Chairman Haynes adjourned the meeting at 3:03 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Katie Gargano, City Clerk