Planning Board

Laconia Planning Board Minutes March 4, 2014 Approved April 1, 2014 Present: W. Hutchins, Chairman; J. Mailloux, Secretary; D. Richards, G. Denio, L. Guild, C. Smith, B. Baer, D. Bownes Absent: W. Contardo, J. Tivnan, D. Vachon Staff: S. Saunders, B. Loughlin I. Call to Order W. Hutchins called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. He introduced the new members from the City Council, David Bownes and alternate Brenda Baer. II. Presentation Luke Powell to give presentation on City Stormwater Project The presentation ended at 7:05 pm. W. Hutchins seated C. Smith in W. Contardo’s absence. III. Public Hearings W. Appl#PL2014-0016CUP (wetland buffer) 46 Lucerne Ave MBL 155-254-18 Proposal to install driveway for a separate entrance into the property (Application will be continued per applicant request) No vote was needed. 2. Sign Ordinance revision to the City Zoning Ordinance section 235-51, the purpose is to amend the ordinance to keep up with new sign technology (Recommendation to Council) S. Saunders explained the procedure. The Zoning Task Force (ZTF) has been working on several projects in the ordinance: PUD, chicken, floodplain and the sign ordinance. The ZTF put together a draft for the signs which includes the table of permitted signs. Per state statute, a public hearing has to occur at the Planning Board level. The Board’s job is to hear input from the public and change things, if any are needed, then recommend the revisions to City Council. Council can adopt the revisions or have another public hearing. S. Perley walked through the changes for the Board. S. Perley said the ZTF made a difference between on-premise and off-premise signs. An example of the off-premise would be a billboard. Some things that were revised was to extend the time limit of temporary signs after a holiday or an event, extension of election signs, allowing a different copy on either side of a sign instead of the same copy on each side, clarification of the wall sign language, language was added to regulate off premise signs, and just a few word changes. New language is proposed to be added on lighting orientation and illumination 1  Laconia Planning Board Minutes March 4, 2014 Approved April 1, 2014 standards and electronic signs. The definitions were updated to be clearer. Two additions were added to the table of sign regulations were electronic changeable copy and electronic message center. Electronic changeable copy would not be allowed in residential areas and electronic message center would be allowed with a special exception. S. Saunders said the revisions would only apply to new signs or replacement of signs. D. Bownes asked in terms of the sign ordinance now, who it applies to and S. Saunders said any existing sign would be grandfathered. Only new or changes would be affected. There had been many complaints about the brightness and safety issues to traffic and the revisions should tone that down to a certain level. The changes will not create anymore work or take extra time for the Zoning Technician when applications are received, it might take less time. The fees wouldn’t go up. S. Perley said she and K. Snow met with one sign supplier and found that most of the new signs are computer generated and programmable from a desk. There are 3 sign manufactures of the electronic signs in the US. A company called Watchfire handles the northeast and most companies deal with them. These signs are not cheap. Pubic: Jeff Flanders, business owner of Byse Agency on Union Ave, said they are in process of improving their signage and originally, their proposal was to have electronic changeable copy as a second phase of the sign process. They are in the Professional Zone and electronic changeable copy is not allowed. Down the road, in the other zones, electronic changeable copy is allowed. Randy Brough, a taxpayer and the Public Library Director, said it will be a welcomed change to be able to have a sign. A lot goes on in the library and they advertise every possible way. He thinks it would be nice to have a sign to highlight programs going on that day. He likes the Taylor Home’s sign and would like one similar. He hopes the changes pass. John Moriarty spoke as the Vice Chair of the Public Library, President of Laconia Main Street Initiative, a tax payer and a Zoning Task Force member, thinks this is moving in the right direction. This area was a bit of question with the Zoning Task Force. He is eager to say Laconia a thriving economy. Look at the size of Laconia and compare it to other towns in the area. Laconia has substantial economy. He encouraged the three “villages” to be looked at as connected groups of borrows instead. If the business doesn’t have the tools needed to compete, the vitality would be taken away. Laconia will not look like Las Vegas. A changing sign vs static sign: if the change is within 15 or so seconds, it will still be a static sign when being looked at. The open neon signs he believes are prohibited and asked what else is prohibited and still allowed to be in windows. S. Saunders said the time to change is one minute and that was changed to was once an hour and before that it was once every 5 minutes. J. Mailloux thinks the sign for the library needs to be as good as the library books. S. Saunders noted that we can’t tread on freedom of speech but can restrict inflammatory language. We can look at the size, shape and placement of sign. S. Perley said they get a lot of signs at the ZBA level and have the authority to restrict them there. S. Saunders said only strict zone is Downtown Riverfront. Steve Weeks Sr, a business owner and on the Zoning Task Force, has a concern with the time limit change and thinks the changeable and electronic signs should be the same amount of time to change. He feels need to be flexible that all signs in the commercial corridor should have a computer sign because of competition. The types of signs should be allowed to be the same in 2  Laconia Planning Board Minutes March 4, 2014 Approved April 1, 2014 the commercial corridor. H. McLean asked if there was a rationale and S. Saunders said yes the down town people don’t want the digital changeable signs and instead of leaving down town and be hit by electronic message center, it would be a gradual change. The time allowed to change is set high because it goes from nothing to flashing. S. Saunders thinks the struggle is that the average person doesn’t see the different zones but just a commercial corridor. H. McLean noted that a lot of businesses are grandfathered. W. Hutchins said having been in the restaurant business for many years, signage is big. He feels that too much is being put on a sign and the signs can’t be read. The Trustworthy sign is extremely effective and safe. Paul Goodwin, of Watermark Marine, said the flaw in the concept, encouraging people to have electronic and not changeable copy. S. Saunders agreed and said that will change. Brian gilbert, of Gilbert Block, thinks a solution to the hard to read signs would be to allow the business to have bigger print about an event and allow movable copy or a scroll. Currently, the property is in the “I” zone and would be able to have that. S. Saunders noted that if the chart changes, it would be changed in that zone to not be allowed. B Gilbert said the road is long and straight. There are scrolling letters on the highway and 106 where the speed is much higher. S. Perley said the attention needs to be focused on the sign to show longer. W. Hutchins will consider that. B. Gilbert has had no accidents in front of his place. He thinks signs regulations hold back the ability to advertise. Jeff Flanders appreciated the Board’s interest in the matter. John Moriarty said the library sits on the corner where 3 zones of allowance converge but not on the library property. He agrees with Mr. Weeks about the ability for the businesses to compete. The library wants to build a structure with a changeable component, to convey both written and non-written messages. W. Hutchins closed the public hearing. Not that many major changes request and could move the process along. S. Saunders said the change of the n to a p would be ok to recommend with changes but to change the time limits will need further public hearing. Motion: L. Guild made the motion to recommend the sign ordinance with the revisions to the City Council and D. Richards seconded the motion. D. Bownes thinks that with the discussion about the time allowance, he would suggest looking further into it and bring it back to the Board before going to the Council. L. Guild said a lot of time has been put into the time signs should change and he thinks this is the best the Zoning Task Force came up with. J. Mailloux said the decisions will always be challenged to do more. He would amend to change the e in the electronic message center to the p zones. S. Saunders hears the will of the people but cautioned the Board to not turn Laconia into Tilton or Las Vegas. Technology is changing and we need to make sure to keep up but also need to think long term. The New England style should be kept. 3  Laconia Planning Board Minutes March 4, 2014 Approved April 1, 2014 W. Hutchins supports the comment that the ZBA is competent. L. Guild amended his motion to make the revisions and then bring that back to the Planning Board. D. Bownes abstained. The motion passed. The public hearings ended at 8:16 pm IV. Extensions 1. Appl# PL2012-0002SP, PL2012-0003CUP(marina), PL2012-004CUP(parking), PL2012- 0014CUP(long term boat storage) and PL2012-0015CUP (water body buffer), 1218 Union Ave, Map/Lot 325-220-3, Watermark Marine is requesting an extension for the completion date. a. Plan revisions: done b. Site Improvement Security: done c. Mylar Final Plans: done d. Completion: March 5, 2013, ext to March 4, 2014, new request March 3, 2015 Applicant: Paul Goodwin represented the application. He is seeking one year for the completion. He said he has had every challenge thrown at him. Last year there was the lawsuit about the docks and it was sort of a successful win. He has been real busy and accomplished a few things. The landscaping along Union Ave was finished and the sign has been put in. The Façade is almost done. He has a building permit to put in a temporary wall up inside the structure. There was a major crack in the foundation and a new foundation may need to be put in. He also has a building permit to block off that corner and deal with it. He is hoping to pour concrete next week to make the floor even and level. He has an electrical permit and hoping to be in by Memorial Day. He has to. S. Saunders had no issues with approval of the extension. Motion: D. Richards made the motion to approve the extensions with the dates stated and L. Guild seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Appl# 2013-0096SU, 0097CUP (wetland buffer), 640 Elms St MBL 309-71-2, is requesting an extension for site security. a. Plan Revisions: December 3, 2013 – complete b. Site improvement security: January 7, 2013, ext to March 4, 2014, new request December 2, 2014 c. Mylar, Final plan: January 7, 2013, ext to March 4, 2014 d. Completion: December 2, 2014 Applicant: Jon Rokeh was present and stated that they are knocking things off as they go. The only thing left is the site security. They received the shoreland permit, AOT is all set, and the final plans are done and submitted. Everything is in line and they are waiting to close on the property. The project will not take long, only a month or so to build it out, so the completion date should be ok. 4  Laconia Planning Board Minutes March 4, 2014 Approved April 1, 2014 S. Saunders had no issues with approval of the extension. Motion: D. Richards made the motion to approve the extension with the dates stated and G. Denio seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Appl# PL2013-0121SP, 12 Veteran’s Sq MBL 432-225-3, The Holy Grail, is requesting an extension for plan revisions, site security and final plans. a. Plan Revision: December 3, 2013, ext to Feb 7, 2014; new request Dec 2, 2014 b. Site Improvement Security: Jan 7, 2014, ext to March7, 2014; new request Dec 2, 2014 c. Mylar, final plans: Jan 7, 2014, ext to March 7, 2014; new request Dec 2, 2014 d. Completion: December 2014 Applicant: S. Saunders spoke to the request because the applicants were unable to come. They are still working through the final closings and only need the lighting detail. A mylar will not be required because it is a site plan. The dumpster will be in the parking lot and access would be through the church. Motion: D. Richards made the motion to approve the extension with the dates stated and G. Denio seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. V. Application Acceptance None VI. New Business Shanna Saunders to give presentation on the Veterans Square redesign concept – S. Saunders gave a brief history of the area. This section was in the Master Plan and the EPA reports as proposed for a mini traffic roundabout. The area was identified by 2 groups during the architectural engineering design. The area has a confusing intersection. When 12 Veteran’s Square proposal came in and the church wanting a new driveway, she thought it would be a good time to look at the intersection. The water line is being extended so the road will be pulled up anyway. TEC did the 2-way traffic design already so they had the data and layers. The amount ended up to be $575.00. S. Saunders met with several in the area, like the WOW people, Veteran’s Square, DOT and the bank. Police and Public Works comments were put into the rendition that she went to council with. They are looking to make the navigation easier for those that aren’t familiar with the area. The plan reduces the amount of pavement so pedestrian crossing will end up where the shortest points are. C. Smith was disappointed that the plan got kicked to the back burner. He works at the bank and walks it every day. He said there is no crosswalk across New Salem Street. With the snow you can’t see what is coming along the corner. S. Saunders said the traffic consultant recommended the spaces next to the flower shop be removed. The spaces are on private property and the owners didn’t want them removed. The new church design will give some parking back to the city along the back, so there will be no loss 5  Laconia Planning Board Minutes March 4, 2014 Approved April 1, 2014 of spaces. Council asked for a public hearing to be scheduled. D. Richards asked if there were any pedestrian lighting for crossing and was told no. D. Richards would put more emphasis on signage because cars will back up with stop signs. J. Mailloux thinks the shorter pavement will make the area safer. D. Richards thinks with the street being open, it would be a time to put in a signal. C. Smith said that people have been hit there. D. Richards said there are lots of handicap and elderly in the downtown area. S. Saunders will bring up that concern. D. Richards looking at safety for both vehicles and pedestrians. S. Saunders did look at stop signs but traffic already backs up. H. McLean asked if this project moves forward, would the Highway Dept do the work or would it go out to bid and S. Saunders said the Highway Dept would do what they can and if needed to be then possibly would go out to bid. W. Hutchins said Frank Tilton called him about the plan because he saw the Council Meeting on TV. He pointed out that currently it is a natural round about. Franklin’s concern was to not lose the traffic flow on all sides. His opinion was that it was safer as it is. S. Saunders said it was not quite a traffic circle and she could ask the engineering company to do a sketch for a rotary. The plan would minimize the pavement and have the safest pedestrian crossing. D. Bownes asked if there is a statistical analysis and S. Saunders said the Police Dept has and she should have that for the public hearing next month. W. Hutchins believes it will eventually be 2-way and would preplan with that in mind, customer convenience. J. Mailloux would rather like to see a safer pedestrian way than wait for the 2-way traffic pattern. The bridge was going to determine the future of the 2-way and it is not 2-way compatible. The changes to down town are monumental. S. Saunders thinks it fair that the city agrees on the design concept and can hold on to it for future review or funding if no one wants to do it now. The water line will come up from Main Street to halfway up the Veteran’s Square proposal. S. Saunders asked the board if the liked the concept or if it should be changed and asked if they liked the rotary concept instead. D. Richards asked how much it would be to have the rotary designed and was told maybe around $300.00. She asked for the board to vote to get the design done and then bring the proposal back again for a public hearing in May. D. Bownes asked what good a round-about proposal will do because it will have traffic from 2 directions and J. Mailloux agreed. S. Saunders said they would take what is functioning and design it better for cars and pedestrians. The lanes would be tightened up and it will be more aesthetically pleasing and pedestrian crosswalks would be added. There would be different curb lines and bump outs. D. Richards thinks others will ask about the roundabout and thought it be a good idea to be looked at. The board agreed. VII. Old Business 1. Appl# PL2011-0024SP, PL2011-0026CUP (steep slope), PL2011-0027CUP (wetlands) 553 Weirs Blvd Map/Lot 216-248-12, 13 Brady Sullivan Langley Cove Update on the proposal to build a 291 unit condominium development with the secondary access through the Paugus Woods Development off White Oaks Road. 6  Laconia Planning Board Minutes March 4, 2014 Approved April 1, 2014 S. Saunders said the Langley Cove folks are meeting with the ConCom tomorrow night about open space on the parcel. ConCom does not want hunting on the property. The ConCom will come up with recommendations for the Planning Board. VIII. Reports A. Planning Department Report: S. Saunders Main Street Bridge is moving forward for a March 10 start date, weather permitting. If there are any questions on the detour plans, she asked the Board to let her know. She is in process of getting all that on a website. She is working with the FW Webb folks to come up with easement language on the Riverwalk. Move forward in the spring with cons and maybe some Brownsfields grants. There was coal ash found on the property. LRPC received Brownsfields grants from the EPA and the Community Action Program in concord as well received grants. The hope is to have cleanup money from both. L. Guild asked where the coal would have come from because they didn’t heat with coal and S. Saunders said it was being looked into. Washington Street: The impact fee was assess for 3 duplex and reassessed for the 2 new ones because there was already one existing on the property. The project is completed, except for landscaping and the patio. The Council approved the PUD language and the floodplain ordinance language. FEMA should be close to closing us out. S. Saunders signed off on The North Lodges project. The foundation is in and the structure should be done by the end of the season. The Hathaway house agreed to stall the demolition of the structure and there is a meeting tomorrow. The NH preservation alliance did an assessment and will be able to discuss what the price would be to move the building, to see if that would be a reality or not. The village visioning process is finishing up for architecture. The last meeting had 8 in-person participants but online had over 100 participants. She wants to move forward on the Master Plan and really needs input from the public and for them to get involved. There needs to be a better turn out. J. Mailloux asked if the extensions could be at the beginning of the agenda and S. Saunders will look into it. D. Bownes said when the Veteran’s Square was before Council, it got a low priority vote. W. Hutchins thinks it was wise to ask for a public hearing on the Veteran’s Square project. IX. Liaison Reports A. Lakes Region Planning Commission: W. Hutchins said the Commission is focused on the regional plan that is due in June. The Senator is having a Lakes Region Transportation meeting at LRCC Friday. The roads and bridges are desperately in need of repair. Half of them are owned by State and half owned by the municipalities. B. Conservation Commission: W. Contardo was absent. S. Saunders gave a report. April 19 is an Earth Day event at the transfer station. The Black Brook RFQ was finalized. New open space easements are moving forward. The work on Langley Cove open space preservation is in process. A recruiting event is being scheduled for the spring. Additional Publicity for the Emerald Ash Borer is in process. The natural resource area map that shows the high priority protection areas is finished. W. Hutchins asked D. Richards how the park was coming about and was told well. The theater is almost done. Everything is on time and on schedule. The State is coming through with a grant for the playground equipment. 7  Laconia Planning Board Minutes March 4, 2014 Approved April 1, 2014 C. City Council: D. Bownes had nothing to report. C. Smith reminded the Board that Election Day is coming up for Executive Council on Tuesday. J. Mailloux thanked the council for attending. D. Bownes was shocked as well that no one had been representing the Council for the past few years. X. Other Business XI. Minutes Approval of the minutes from February 4 Motion: J. Mailloux made the motion to approve the minutes and D. Bownes seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. XII. Adjournment Motion: D. Richards made the motion to adjourn and G. Denio seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 9:28 pm. Respectfully, K. Graham` 8