Planning Board

CITY OF LACONIA PLANNING BOARD 6:30 PM City Hall - Armand A. Bolduc Council Chamber Draft Minutes 11/4/2024 - Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:34pm by Chairmen Charlie St. Clair. 2. ROLL CALL The following members were in attendance; Brian Wolf, Dave Ouelette, Rich MacNeill, Mike DellaVecchia, Kristin Bastille, and Amy Lovisek. 3. RECORDING SECRETARY Savanna Brunelle, Admin Assistant 4. STAFF IN ATTENDANCE Rob Mora, Planning Director Tyler Carmichael, Assistant Planner 5. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING R. MacNeill motioned to accept the minutes as presented. B. Wollf seconded. No opposition. 5.I. Draft Minutes 6. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARINGS, CONSIDERATION, AND POSSIBLE VOTE 6.I. PB2025-014; White Oaks Rd (218-241-8) A. Lovisek motioned to continue this application to the next Planning Board meeting on December 3rd. R. MacNeill seconded. No opposition. 7. NEW PUBLIC HEARINGS, POSSIBLE CONSIDERATION, AND VOTE 7.I. PB2025-011; 382, 386, 390 & 394 Union Ave (407-220-1.018-1.033) D. Ouelette motioned to accept application PB2025-011; Union Square. R. MacNeill seconded. All in favor, none opposed. Ethan Wood, Kurt Brungardt, and Frank Yerkes were present to summarize the application. The applicant was proposing to convert commercial condo units to residential apartments. There was discussion about the number of bedrooms and the going rate for those apartments. The public hearing was opened at 6:56pm. Rueben Basset spoke in favor of this project and thinks it’s the best for this space. The public hearing was closed at 6:58pm. R. Mora read into record the staff reportand findings of fact as is; 1. The application is complete and consistent with State and City land use regulations. 2. The application and site plans were reviewed by the Technical Review Committee (TRC) at its September 17, 2024 meeting. Their comments have been incorporated in the recommended conditions of approval. 1. The application is complete and consistent with State and City land use regulations. 2. The application and site plans were reviewed by the Technical Review Committee (TRC) at its September 17, 2024 meeting. Their comments have been incorporated in the recommended conditions of approval. 1.1. Plan Revisions. Plans must be revised and submitted to the Planning Department in accordance with the following: 1.1.1. Correct the plan to reflect the correct owner for Parcel #411-220-27. 1.1.2. Parcel #407-220-51 must be correctly reflected on the plan. 1.2. Sewer Inspection. The sewer service must be cleaned and inspected via CCTV. A certified inspection report must be submitted to the Department of Public Works for review and approval. 1.3. Condominium Documents. The condominium declaration must be amended to reflect the new layout and floor plan of each unit. The amendments and floor plans for each unit must be submitted to the Planning Department for review and approval. These documents must be recorded at the Belknap County Register of Deeds at the Applicant’s expense. 1.4. Deposit for Inspections. The Applicant must provide the Laconia Water Department with the required deposit amount for inspection services. 1.5. Construction and Maintenance Assessment Fees. All Construction and Maintenance Assessment fees must be paid to the Water Department. 1.6. Permits and Approvals. The Applicant must possess all required permits and approvals granted by other municipal, state, and federal boards or agencies. All permits and approvals must be in place prior to the signing and recording of the final plans and mylar. Should any permit or approval be revoked at any time during the project, all work must cease until a new permit or approval is obtained. Copies of all permits and approvals must be provided by the Applicant to the Planning Department upon request. 1.7. Final Plans. Four final plan sets must be submitted to, reviewed, and approved by the Planning Department. 1. CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS All conditions in this section must be met during the construction of the project. 2.1. Fire Specifications. The Applicant must adhere to all specifications as required by the Laconia Fire Department. 2.2. Water Specifications. The Applicant must adhere to all specifications for municipal water service as required by the Water Department. 2.3. Water Department Inspection. The Laconia Water Department must inspect and approve all plumbing work.  as required by the Water Department. 2.3. Water Department Inspection. The Laconia Water Department must inspect and approve all plumbing work. 2. POST-CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS All conditions in this section must be met prior to the issuance of any Certificate of Occupancy. 3.1. Impact Fees. Impact Fees must be paid to the Planning Department prior to the issuance of each Certificate of Occupancy. Impact fees are assessed by the Planning Board as follows: 3.1.1. $3,481.37 per new dwelling unit in every multifamily structure 3.1.2. $4,639.81 per new dwelling unit in every two-unit structure. 3.2. As-Built Design. An as-built design, application, and review fee for each dwelling unit must be submitted to the Planning Department for review and approval prior to the issuance of each Certificate of Occupancy. 3. COMPLETION DATE The project and all associated conditions must be completed by no later than November 4, 2029. If all conditions are not met, nor any extension application filed with the Laconia Planning Department, by the completion date, this approval is null and void. The board discussed with the applicant the waiver for impact fees. The applicant was requesting a waiver of 80% of the impact fees associated with the proposed development. Board members expressed concerns with the impact fee waiver. Rueben Basset came up to speak again in favor of the impact fees. Mr. Wood did the math to be around as the total impact fee and they’re requesting 80% of that to be waived having the applicant pay around $11,000. R. MacNeill mentioned in the past the percentage was negotiated. The board discussed changing the percentage of how much the applicant is asking to be waived. The Board was not in favor of waiving the 80%. There was further discussion about what Impact Fees cover and where they are allocated. M. DellaVecchia motioned to deny any deduction to impact fees. B. Wolf seconded. There was further discussion on the impact fee deduction. Two were in favor and four opposed. The motion did not pass. A. Lovisek motioned to lower the percentage to 40%. R. MacNeill seconded. The total amount was discussed and if it was lowered to 40% waiver meaning the applicant would pay 60%. 4 in favor and 2 against. The motion passed. K. Bastille motioned to approve application PB2025-011 for 382, 386, 390, and 394 Union Avenue with the conditions as amended. A. Lovisek seconded the motion. Passed unanimously. 7.II. PB2025-018; 35-71 Winnisquam Ave (450-245-24) Jessica Jacobson was present on behalf of the applicant. The applicant is proposing to extend their completion date to May 2025. A. Lovisek motioned to accept application PB2025-018 for 35-71 Winnisquam Ave as complete with the findings of fact as presented in the Staff Report. D. Ouelette seconded. All in favor. The public hearing was opened at 7:34pm. Seeing none the public hearing was closed at 7:35pm. R. Mora read into record the findings of fact and conditions of approval: The application is complete and consistent with State and City land use regulations and the application and site plans were previously approved by the Planning Board at its March 7, 2023 meeting. Amend the prior completion date to reflect May 30, 2025.  The application is complete and consistent with State and City land use regulations and the application and site plans were previously approved by the Planning Board at its March 7, 2023 meeting. Amend the prior completion date to reflect May 30, 2025. All other conditions from the March 7, 2023 approval apply. D. Ouelette motioned to approve application PB2025-018 for 35-71 Winnisquam Ave with the conditions of approval presented in the Staff Report. A. Lovisek seconded. All in favor, it was unanimously approved. 7.III. PB2025-020; Old Prescott Hill Rd (489-20-1) A. Lovisek motioned to accept application PB2025-020 for Old Prescott Hill Road as complete with the findings of fact as presented in the Staff Report. R. MacNeill seconded. All in favor. Ethan Wood, Kevin Morrisette and Dean Clarke were present to summarize the application. The applicant is proposing to subdivide the current land into 4 lots for single family homes. The public hearing was opened at 7:40pm. Peter Derby from Briarcrest spoke with concerns about the proximity of these houses to the abutting property. There was further discussion about the plans. David Emerson spoke on behalf of Anna Stone who is also an abutter. Ms. Stone was concerned with the stone wall that was going to be moved, and the trees being cut along her property, losing privacy. Ms. Stone was requesting a natural buffer to be replaced by the trees that were cut down. There was further discussion about the trees and property line. The public hearing was closed at 7:54pm. The board also discussed an abutter concern that was sent via email. T. Carmichael read into record the staff report as follows: Findings of Fact 1. The application is complete and consistent with State and City land use regulations. 2. The application and site plans were reviewed by the Technical Review Committee (TRC) at its October 15, 2024 meeting. Their comments have been incorporated in the recommended conditions of approval. 1.PRECONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS All conditions in this section must be completed at least two weeks prior to commencing any work on- site. 1.1. Plan Revisions. Plans must be revised and submitted to the Planning Department in accord- ance with the following: 1.1.1. Add proposed utility connections to each parcel. 1.1.2. Ensure Parcel #489-20-5 is correctly identified. 1.1.3. Ensure Parcel #490-20-3 is correctly identified. 1.1.4. Ensure Parcel #489-20-4 and its owner is correctly identified. 1.2. Permits and Approvals. The Applicant must possess all required permits and approvals grant-ed by other municipal, state, and federal boards or agencies. All permits and approvals must be in place prior to the signing and recording of the final plans and mylar. Should any permit or approval be revoked at any time during the project, all work must cease until a new permit or approval is obtained. Copies of all permits and approvals must be provided by the Applicant to the Planning Department upon request. 1.3. Final Plans. Four final plan sets and a mylar plan must be submitted to, reviewed, and ap-proved by the Planning Department. The mylar plan must be recorded at the Belknap County Register of Deeds at the Applicant’s expense.  request. 1.3. Final Plans. Four final plan sets and a mylar plan must be submitted to, reviewed, and ap-proved by the Planning Department. The mylar plan must be recorded at the Belknap County Register of Deeds at the Applicant’s expense. 2. CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS All conditions in this section must be met during the construction of the project. 2.1. Fire Specifications. The Applicant must adhere to all specifications as required by the Laconia Fire Department. 2.2. Water Specifications. The Applicant must adhere to all specifications for municipal water ser- vice as required by the Water Department. 3. POST-CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS All conditions in this section must be met prior to the issuance of any Certificate of Occupancy. 3.1. Impact Fees. Impact Fees must be paid to the Planning Department prior to the issuance of each Certificate of Occupancy. Impact fees are assessed by the Planning Board as follows: 3.1.1. $3,814.80 per new single-family dwelling unit. 3.1.2. $4,639.81 per new dwelling unit in every two-unit structure. 3.2. As-Built Design. An as-built design, application, and review fee for each dwelling unit must be submitted to the Planning Department for review and approval prior to the issuance of each Certificate of Occupancy. 4. COMPLETION DATE The project and all associated conditions must be completed by no later than November 4, 2029. If all conditions are not met, nor any extension application filed with the Laconia Planning Department, by the completion date, this approval is null and void. A. Lovisek to approve application PB2025-020 for Old Prescott Hill Road with the conditions of approval presented in the Staff Report and add the following condition: The Applicant and abutter will work together to see if there’s a mutually agreeable plan that can be worked on for the vegetative buffer. B. Wolf seconded. All in favor. 7.IV. PB2025-021; 136 Old Prescott Hill Rd (489-20-3) A. Lovisek motioned to accept application PB2025-021 for 136 Old Prescott Hill Road as complete with the findings of fact as presented in the Staff Report. R. MacNeill seconded. All in favor. Ethan Wood, Kevin & Lindsey Morrisette were present to speak on behalf of the application. The applicant is proposing to subdivide the current parcel into 5 lots for single family homes. There was discussion about the clearing of the back trees and how old the house on the current lot is. The public hearing was at 8:08pm. Peter Derby spoke and was concerned with the proximity to Briarcrest. There was discussion about the water and sewer lines that were put in. The public hearing was closed at 8:12pm. T. Carmichael read into the record the findings of fact and recommended conditions of approval as follows: Findings of Fact 1. The application is complete and consistent with State and City land use regulations. 2. The application and site plans were reviewed by the Technical Review Committee (TRC) at its October 15, 2024 meeting. Their comments have been incorporated in the recommended conditions of approval. 1. The application is complete and consistent with State and City land use regulations. 2. The application and site plans were reviewed by the Technical Review Committee (TRC) at its October 15, 2024 meeting. Their comments have been incorporated in the recommended conditions of approval. PRECONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS All conditions in this section must be completed at least two weeks prior to commencing any work on- site. 1.1. Plan Revisions. Plans must be revised and submitted to the Planning Department in accordance with the following: 1.1.1. Add proposed utility connections to each parcel. 1.1.2. Ensure Parcel #490-20-2 is correctly identified. 1.1.3. Ensure Parcel #490-20-3 is correctly identified. 1.1.4. Ensure Parcel #489-20-4 and its owner is correctly identified. 1.2. Permits and Approvals. The Applicant must possess all required permits and approvals grant-ed by other municipal, state, and federal boards or agencies. All permits and approvals must be in place prior to the signing and recording of the final plans and mylar. Should any permit or approval be revoked at any time during the project, all work must cease until a new permit or approval is obtained. Copies of all permits and approvals must be provided by the Applicant to the Planning Department upon request. 1.3. Final Plans. Four final plan sets and a mylar plan must be submitted to, reviewed, and ap-proved by the Planning Department. The mylar plan must be recorded at the Belknap County Register of Deeds at the Applicant’s expense. 2. CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS All conditions in this section must be met during the construction of the project. 2.1. Water Specifications. The Applicant must adhere to all specifications for municipal water ser- vice as required by the Water Department. 2.2. Fire Specifications. The Applicant must adhere to all specifications as required by the Laconia Fire Department. 3. POST-CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS All conditions in this section must be met prior to the issuance of any Certificate of Occupancy. 3.1. Impact Fees. Impact Fees must be paid to the Planning Department prior to the issuance of each Certificate of Occupancy. Impact fees are assessed by the Planning Board as follows: 3.1.1. $3,814.80 per new single-family dwelling unit. 3.1.2. $4,639.81 per new dwelling unit in every two-unit structure. 3.2. As-Built Design. An as-built design, application, and review fee for each dwelling unit must be submitted to the Planning Department for review and approval prior to the issuance of each Certificate of Occupancy. 4. COMPLETION DATE  3.2. As-Built Design. An as-built design, application, and review fee for each dwelling unit must be submitted to the Planning Department for review and approval prior to the issuance of each Certificate of Occupancy. 4. COMPLETION DATE The project and all associated conditions must be completed by no later than November 4, 2029. If all conditions are not met, nor any extension application filed with the Laconia Planning Department, by the completion date, this approval is null and void. B. Wolf motioned to approve application PB2025-021 for 136 Old Prescott Hill Road with the conditions of approval presented in the Staff Report. A. Lovisek seconded. All in favor. 7.V. PB2025-022; 758 Endicott St N. (114-252-3) R. MacNeill motioned to accept application PB2025-022 for Endicott St N. as complete with the findings of fact as presented in the Staff Report. D. Ouelette seconded. All in favor. Nick Sceggell and Bill Ryder were present to summarize the application. The applicant is requesting a waiver for the sidewalk in the property location. There was discussion about the sidewalks leading to nowhere and not meeting ADA requirements. Staff and the Board also discussed a master sidewalk plan and the maintenance for upkeep, but wanting to get the sidewalks to all connect. T. Carmichael and R. Mora recommended getting a quote from DPW to put into escrow for sidewalks. D. Ouelette motioned to table this application to next month. R. MacNeill seconded. All in favor. 8. PRESENTATIONS 8.I. Conceptual PB2025-024; 77 & 97 New Salem St M. DellaVecchia motioned to move this to the top of Agenda. B. Wolf seconded. No opposition. Ethan Wood and Kevin Morrisette were present to summarize the conceptual. The applicant is proposing to build two new residential apartment buildings. There was discussion about the aesthetic of the exterior, the number of units and if they’re going to be apartments of condos. The board seemed to be in favor of this project. 9. PLANNING DEPARTMENT REPORT R. Mora discussed and summarized the Planning Department monthly report and the Housing Champion zoning amendment/program. 9.I. Planning Department Monthly Report 9.II. Housing Champion 10. LIAISON REPORTS 10.I. CITY COUNCIL No report from City Council due to member not being present at this meeting. 10.II. LAKES REGION PLANNING COMMISSION R. MacNeill summarized what has been going on at the Lakes Region Planning Commission. 10.III. CONSERVATION COMMISSION No report from Conservation Commission due to member not being present at this meeting. 10.IV. HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION No update from Historic District Commission. 11. OTHER BUSINESS  10.IV. HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION No update from Historic District Commission. 11. OTHER BUSINESS Staff are trying to organize a land use board training session. There was discussion about sidewalks in the Weirs area and going forward how to get sidewalks to connect. The board also discussed impact fees. 12. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at meeting adjourned at 8:58pm