Technical Review Committee

City of Laconia Minor Site Plan Wednesday, February 22, 2017 – 2:00 pm City Hall - Conference Room 200A Minutes Accepted September 27, 2017 I. Call to order Chair Wesley Anderson called the meeting to order at 2:03 pm and introduced the Board: Present: Deb Derrick, Assessing; Brandee Loughlin & Dean Trefethen, Planning/Zoning/Code; Al Graton, Police and Chair Wesley Anderson, DPW. Absent: Charlie Roffo, Fire; Cliff Jones, Code; Seth Nuttelman, Water Chair Wesley Anderson stated there are five (5) members, and a quorum is established. D. Trefethen would represent Code Enforcement for this meeting. Kalena Graham will be recording this meeting II. Continued Public Hearings III. Public Hearing a) Appl# PL2017-0014MSP 140 Court Street MBL 450-52-2 Proposal to convert residential unit (which burned) to a private club Chair W. Anderson opened the public hearing at 2:05 pm. Applicant: Pietro Ferri is the applicant and Mike Pelky, the father of the property owner were present. P. Ferri would like to open a private club on the main floor and pool tables on the floor above. A. Graton asked what the private club would entail. He was told for friends that come up on the weekends, no public. There would be a bar on the main floor and pool table on upper floor. M. Pelky already spoke with the State on liquor and they need to be a non-profit organization for a year before a liquor license can be applied for. A. Graton’s concern is the number of calls to the residence in the past year, without a bar. M. Pelky said those were the tenants that were there when they bought the property and since are gone. B. Loughlin said the billiards (indoor recreation) is allowed by right but the private club is allowed by right only as an accessory use under zoning. This application is a site plan application for both uses. A. Graton’s concern is about the bar and more disturbances in a residential area because of the alcohol. D. Trefethen reiterated this would only be for friends visiting the area and no one will be staying overnight. Abutters: Don Dogherty, VFW post representative, asked what kind of club this will be. Paul Poirier of 146 Court, is a direct abutter. He handed out pictures to the board. He had questions as to what will go on at the club. P. Ferri said he would be managing the club but the members would vote on who would be president. There will be a minimal membership fee. The amusement on the upper floor can be used by nonmembers. M. Pelky said there will be signage, the one that is currently there. P. Poirier handed out an article on a shooting at a private club from Alabama and rules of private clubs and ADA compliance to the board. He feels that with the number of police calls already, the addition of alcohol will make more calls and cause safety concerns. Robert Fisher, of 92 Bowman spoke. His father owns the building and he is the property manager and a tenant. He feels when alcohol is involved, there is also smoking and smoking is usually outside. There are conversations when people are outside and he doesn’t want the back yard to be an environment that is not suitable for children. Property value is also a concern and hoping it can stay the residential neighborhood. Scott Firth, owns two apartments on 18-26 Fair Street. He has seen the ups and downs of the neighborhood. He doesn’t feel the private club will help the City and will open a can of worms. He has put a lot of work into his buildings and has good tenants; he would like them to stay. Robert Fisher Sr, owner of 92 Bowman spoke. He questioned the number of persons that are allowed to be there at any one time. B. Loughlin believes that both spaces will require an assembly permit from the Fire Dept. His concern that the activity will be brought outside when the weather gets nice out. He also has a concern how it will affect the family rapport. P. Poirier added that there had never been an issue with the VFW. One last concern is the noise, and just because the club closes at 11 doesn’t mean people will leave at 11. He asked the board to deny the proposal.  Chair W. Anderson closed the public hearing at 2:37 pm. Discussion: B. Loughlin read Fire Dept’s comments: Second means of egress required for the club and room areas. Spray foam must be covered with Class C wall board material. Emergency lighting and exit signage per code. One hour fire separation is required from the club and dwelling spaces. These are issues that would be addressed at the building permit stage but if approved, could be a condition of approval. Per zoning regulations, spot 8 needs to be removed because of the proximity to the abutting lot. The parking needs to be striped. The certificate of occupancy will not be given if there are any outstanding zoning or property maintenance issues. The city would be looking for better fencing in the rear and side property lines. Any lighting would need to be approved with a building permit and meet regs. All patrons would need to remain inside. Motion to approve the application with the following conditions: the memo from the Fire Dept; parking lot needs to be striped; remove spot 8 because of the proximity to the abutting lot; certificate of occupancy will not be given if there are any outstanding zoning or property maintenance issues; if a liquor license is applied for, the City must be allowed to inspect the property; no overnight or residential; fencing or appropriate screening needs to be put in the rear and side property lines; any lighting to meet City regulations; no outside extension to the use, made by B. Loughlin and D. Derrick seconded. A. Graton is not sure this is a good use for that area. B. Loughlin noted that it is residential neighborhood but is zoned commercial and is allowed. B. Loughlin amended the motion to limit the time to 10pm on Friday and Saturday. D. Derrick seconded. The motion passed 4-1 (D. Derrick, B. Loughlin, D. Trefethen, and Chair W. Anderson all for and A. Graton opposed). IV. Other business V. Acceptance of minutes from November 30 The minutes were accepted as presented. VI. Adjournment Motion to adjourn made by D. Derrick and seconded by B. Loughlin. The motion passed unanimously,5-0. The meeting adjourned at 2:37 pm. Respectfully, Kalena Graham