Planning Board

CITY OF LACONIA PLANNING BOARD 6:30 PM City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc Council Chamber Draft Minutes 12/5/2023 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER Charlie St Clair Called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM 2. ROLL CALL Scott Pelchat Gave Roll Call in attendance Amy Lovisek , Rob Mora , Tyler Carmichael , Bruce Cheney, Rich MacNeill, Mike DellaVechia, Charlie St. Clair , Louis Joseph , Scott McWilliam , Stacy Soucy. Absent was Gail Ober. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Scott Pelchat 4. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Kalena Graham , Scott Pelchat 5. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS Minutes were accepted as written 5.I. Nov 6 6. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS, CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE VOTE Note: The purpose of this agenda section is for the Board to continue the Public Hearing for the applicant and the public to provide input. The Board may also deliberate the application, decide and conduct a final vote at this time. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS, POSSIBLE CONSIDERATION AND VOTE Note: The purpose of this agenda section is publicize that a Planning Board application has been submitted and for the Planning Board to determine if the application is complete enough to begin the review process. If the application is accepted as complete, the Planning Board may have a presentation from the applicant and open a public hearing for public to provide input. The board may also deliberate the application, decide and conduct a final vote at this time 7.I. PL2023-0116CUP (waterbody); 144 Lake Street unit 5; Proposal for reconstruction of unit within the waterbody buffer Charlie asked for PL2023-0116CUP 144 lake ST unit 5 motion to accept this application Louis Joseph made the motion and this was seconded by Amy Lovisek and was unanimous. The applicant spoke regarding this CUP buffer Katherine Sheehan and Brian Harney looking to construct a two-story structure where a single story currently exists. Charlie asked if other boards had been involved Katherine said yes as they had been to the zoning board as well as the conservation commission. Katherine gave the additional layout information for the other properties in this association. Scott McWilliams asked about the deck and measurement thereof. Stacy Soucy inquired which building was theirs and what the heights are, and Katherine provided the answer to her. Katherine also handed out some photos of the buildings there currently. Stacy inquired on if views would be impacted also if landscaping would remain unchanged and it would remain. The applicant stated that during construction a portable toilet would be on site. Stacy stated that silt socks should be used at the site for potential screening from disturbance. Katherine spoke about getting a contractor and that it has been a struggle to acquire one Charlie  McWilliams asked about the deck and measurement thereof. Stacy Soucy inquired which building was theirs and what the heights are, and Katherine provided the answer to her. Katherine also handed out some photos of the buildings there currently. Stacy inquired on if views would be impacted also if landscaping would remain unchanged and it would remain. The applicant stated that during construction a portable toilet would be on site. Stacy stated that silt socks should be used at the site for potential screening from disturbance. Katherine spoke about getting a contractor and that it has been a struggle to acquire one Charlie Opened for public discussion at 6:40PM and it was closed to the public at 6:41PM and the comments from staff were best management practices, Stacy and Charlie asked for the silt socks to be part of the approval Rob Mora asked where the city does not have a conservation tech at this time but would site visits be made part of the approval also Rob advised due to contractor availabilities could the completion date be extended and it was until 2025 instead of 2024 to allow for a completion. Amy checked with staff again on the completions from other boards and they had been. Michael DellaVecchia motioned to allow for this construction using the finding of fact that it is authorized with a conditional use permit public safety and health will not be affected the structure will be larger for better enjoyment housing values will not be diminished because the new unit will look better than the old one and will stay within the footprint and no other resources shall be affected. And the applicant will be given the extended date to 2025. Thia was seconded by Louis Joseph and was unanimous. 7.II. PL2023-0119SP; 11 Jameson St; Proposal to convert single family residence to multifamily within existing structure ~ request for 60% reduction of impact fees for affordable housing PL2023-0119SP 11 Jameson St application to convert from a single family to a multifamily as well as a 60% reduction in impact fees for affordable housing. Charlie asked if the application was ready to be accepted and Kaleena stated yes. Tyler Carmichael motioned to accept, and it was seconded by Rich MacNeill and was unanimous. The applicant Carmen Lorentz Lakes region community developers also Becky Bryant President and CEO of Lakes Region community services. Also, Peter Stewart architect. 11 Jameson Street is a single-family home as well as having four bedrooms. The subject property is near the hospital and is also in a neighborhood where Lake’s region community developers own other properties. Smaller lot in size with one driveway surrounded by other multifamily houses. The Goal was to convert to a three-unit supportive housing unit each unit would have an occupancy of one adult only. None of the residents would have drivers’ licenses which was the reason for the parking variance. They would enter into a thirty-year land use restriction agreement. There would be no changes to the site other than interior renovations plus a new roof and new siding. New doors as well. The zoning objectives are met better with this style of housing over a conventional rental situation. There is a six-yard dumpster that is located at the intersection of Locust St and Jameson St and tenants and staff will remove trash accordingly. Becky Bryant spoke thanking the board for allowing the presentation. Lake’s region community services combined with lakes region community housing has a large demand for this kind of housing. Becky talked more about options for new renters and what that looks like for the tenant. Becky continued describing the structure of how the rental works in comparison to the renter and what that looks like. Becky emphasized where the differences between supportive housing and other types of housing exist. Becky and Carmen asked the board questions. Charlie St Clair asked the distance from 11 Jameson to the dumpster. Carmen answered that it was about 100 feet in distance. Charlie asked who takes care of the private road Carmen stated it was being maintained by the city. Stacy asked about the trash, and will staff be assisting them, and the answer was yes. Stacy inquired as well regarding sprinklers for the building, and it was found that this property would have sprinklers. Carmen also remarked that Variances were granted for the multifamily as well as a parking variance. Scott McWilliam asked about renting and how that is structured, and Becky and Carmen answered that. Charlie Opened to public discussion at 7:12 PM Carol DeVito read a letter of support from the mayor’s housing task force. Please see video minutes for full letter of support. Staff had no issues regarding this proposal and Kalena stated that the Planning Director Kathy Menici was in support of the waiver of up to 60%. Charlie discussed the impact fees with the board to find the number that would be suitable. Bruce Cheney discussed with the board the difference of this property in comparison as it will be a three unit with three adults the impact on schools will not be felt but other municipal services would be impacted. Charlie asked Amy and Rob their opinions and Amy stated her opinion on the importance of these fees and who and what they help Amy stated that her number would be 40%. Michael Dellavecchia spoke regarding the difference between nonprofit and full profit. Scott McWilliam expressed 50%. Louis joseph spoke regarding the impact fees are a necessity not a punishment. Rob Mora agreed with Mr. Josephs concerns. Stacy  fees with the board to find the number that would be suitable. Bruce Cheney discussed with the board the difference of this property in comparison as it will be a three unit with three adults the impact on schools will not be felt but other municipal services would be impacted. Charlie asked Amy and Rob their opinions and Amy stated her opinion on the importance of these fees and who and what they help Amy stated that her number would be 40%. Michael Dellavecchia spoke regarding the difference between nonprofit and full profit. Scott McWilliam expressed 50%. Louis joseph spoke regarding the impact fees are a necessity not a punishment. Rob Mora agreed with Mr. Josephs concerns. Stacy Soucy spoke regarding the impact fee and looks to city council to restructure this format. Bruce Cheney spoke about the council’s work regarding the impact fees and that it would be remedied at some point as for now these impact fees run the city and their departments. Charlie sought a motion, and it was made by Bruce Cheney and seconded by Rob Mora regarding not waiving the impact fee and this was unanimous. Charlie mentioned alternate ways to gain revenue and that our city’s taxpayers pay the brunt of it. Stacy Soucy made a motion to accept the proposal to convert this residence for vulnerable people who need this kind of housing. The staff review will complete the rationale for the approval this was seconded by Bruce Cheney and was unanimous. 7.III. PL2023-0120SU; 84 Tilton Ave; Proposal for boundary line adjustment with 121 Belmont Rd (CAP) Pl2023-0120 84 Tilton Ave boundary line adjustment motion to accept by Rich MacNeill and seconded by Bruce Cheney. Shawna Bentley from Westcott law spoke regarding the boundary line adjustment as well as Randy Otis who did the survey for this application Shawna emphasized the true gain by this adjustment where both properties would stay conforming but allow a better use by both property owners. Charlie opened to the public hearing at 7:34PM and closed to the public at 7:34PM. Staff had no concerns regarding the boundary adjustment. Tyler Carmichael motioned to allow for the boundary adjustment seconded by Amy Lovisek. Will make property line neater and create a harmonious use between the property owners. And this was unanimous. 7.IV. PL2023-0117DR; 453 White Oaks Rd; Design Review for 46 lot cluster subdivision with boundary line adjustment Conceptual Pl2023-0117 453 white oaks road design review for cluster subdivision with a boundary line adjustment. Mario Focaretto from Brown engineering along with the owners of the property for a design review and to get any comments from the board. Mario spoke with the current state of the property and any prior approvals that had been gained by prior owners / developers. Marios conceptual touched on all aspects of the property and concerns from him as well as the property owners. Rob Mora asked if this location was one that had an excavator on site. The answer was no. Mario stated wetlands were a part of this property. There are 46 units proposed on this property and a boundary line adjustment to allow for the density conversion. Mario spoke regarding the proposed entrance from White Oaks Road. The Board had several questions for Mario regarding Utilities as well as HOA requirements. Charlie Inquired about a completion date and the owner proposed 5 years. Stacy Soucy inquired about the firing range in Gilford and if it could be heard from the property and if this would be a problem. Rob Mora sighted that cluster subdivisions do not have setbacks and cited the never-ending deck. Charlie St Clair opened to the public for comment and Mr. Bird spoke regarding his property and their property and poised impacts to wetlands. Although Mr. Bird did not seem opposed to the project his direct concern was the wetlands on the property south of the subject property. Steven Duty White oaks road spoke in opposition to the project sighting headlight wash out being the primary concern. Richard Grenier and Wes Williams spoke regarding the sportsman club and its impact on the subdivision. Charlie thanked Mario for the concept and wished him well through the process. 8. PRESENTATIONS 9. NEW BUSINESS 9.I. Capital Improvement Committee recommendations to Planning Board Charlie St Clair asked the board for new business, and it was the capital improvement committee scoring and review for the city council. Rob Mora spoke as the chair of the CIP committee and touched on the rankings and that it was a well thought out process. Charlie St Clair asked for comments regarding the scores Stacy Soucy mentioned cameras be a higher rank than they were. Rob Mora mentioned using the tiff district to possibly fund this project. Rob also stated from memory he thought  Charlie St Clair asked the board for new business, and it was the capital improvement committee scoring and review for the city council. Rob Mora spoke as the chair of the CIP committee and touched on the rankings and that it was a well thought out process. Charlie St Clair asked for comments regarding the scores Stacy Soucy mentioned cameras be a higher rank than they were. Rob Mora mentioned using the tiff district to possibly fund this project. Rob also stated from memory he thought that was something the downtown folks had wanted. There were further questions on the enterprise funds as listed inside the CIP committee rankings that were self-funding. Stacy Soucy motioned to allow for the letter to be brought to the city council level for the CIP rankings. This was seconded by Tyler Carmichael and was unanimous. 10. OLD BUSINESS 11. CORRESPONDENCE 12. PLANNING DEPT REPORT 13. LIAISON REPORTS 14. OTHER BUSINESS Other business Michael DellaVecchia asked a question on reclusion and felt that the alternate selection was a concern Bruce stated that an alternate was chosen well prior to this. Charlie St Clair expressed that the historical committee issue be addressed, and Bruce Cheney expressed that this was in process. 15. ADJOURNMENT the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:52PM