Conservation Commission

CITY OF LACONIA CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES July 10th, 2017 6:00 PM, CITY HALL, ROOM 200B SECOND FLOOR OF CITY HALL 45 BEACON STREET EAST Call to Order (Roll Call) (6:00 PM) Commission Members: Lisa Morin, Dick Christopher, Deb Williams, Marnie Schulz, and Staff Evan Rathburn Guests: Karen Barker, Vahe Apelian, Ethan Wood. D. Williams informs those present that the Commission will wait until later in the meeting to go over the minutes. Karen Barker gives a presentation about what she has for information about the State School property. L. Morin would like to draft a letter to send to the state for the State School property and why they should sell the property to Laconia to deal with the waste and stewardship of the land. L. Morin will contact Bill Carpenter about the language for the donation of Ahern State Forest to the State’s ownership. K. Barker will review the letter to the State and give her input. L. Morin suggests that the Conservation Commission should participate more in the Laconia Farmers’ Market to disseminate information about the State School situation. Vahe Apelian and Ethan Wood give an overview where The Gardens project currently is and what their final design is going to be. They clarify to the Conservation Commission that the ordinance does indeed require a walking path. Technician Rathburn will inquire what the ordinance consists of for a trail and if sidewalks will count as trails. V. Apelian explains the phasing to D. Christopher and what their thought process behind the phasing. D. Christopher presents an alternative to the current outline of the walking path through the wetlands. The applicant states that the alternative path is agreeable to them and they will pursue that route since it keeps the path but also removes the footbridge that would be in the wetland. D. Christopher also inquires as to why they are not able to remove the houses on the island in the final phasing of the project? V. Apelian explains to D. Christopher that that the fire department needs the loop that the houses are located on and that they are not able to lose any more houses from the development. The commission inquires as to when construction for the development will start. V. Apelian states that they wanted to have a model home ready in August but now he estimates that they won’t be able to start construction till September.  D. Williams makes a motion to reiterate their former comments, that the Commission members present are in favor of the directional buffer, that the path amenities section of the ordinance be clarified with the planning department, and the elimination of the center section of the path which the applicant has agreed to. L. Morin seconds All “Aye” L. Morin makes a motion to accept the minutes with corrections. D. Christopher seconds. All “Aye” D. Christopher states that Master Gardeners will be starting presentations on Thursday at the Farmers’ Market on pollinators. L. Morin states that the Happy Tails Dog Park will be done by the end of the year hopefully. L. Morin makes a motion to adjourn. D. Williams seconds. All “Aye” Meeting adjourns at 8:05 PM.