Town of Plymouth

Planning Board Public Hearing

Plymouth Town Hall

Plymouth, NH 03264

February 2, 2017

Edited Draft

MEMBERS PRESENT:Steve Rhodes (Chair), Rebecca Hanson, Bryan Dutille, Chris Buckley, Eugene Thurston, John Kelly, Steve Whitman,Bill Bolton (Selectman’s Rep.)

OTHERS PRESENT:Sharon Penney (Town Planner)

ABSENT/EXCUSED:

CALL TO ORDER:Steve Rhodes called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Roll call of members was completed.

GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS:None

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS:

  • Steve Rhodes began the meeting with a discussion on the zoning amendment warrant articles, which will need to be submitted to the Town Clerk by March 7th for publication on the warrant.
  • Steve Rhodes opened the public hearing on the five proposed articles at 6:32pm.
  • No public comments.
  • Steve Rhodes closed the public hearing at 6:32pm.
  • Rebecca Hanson read the second article and found a spelling typo. Sharon Penney will make this correction.
  • Eugene Thurston asked the Board how many people are allowed in an attached dwelling unit.
  • Steve Rhodes answered up to two adults
  • and no limit on the number of children.
  • The Board did not comment on the other articles.
  • Eugene made a motion to accept the articles; seconded by Bill Bolton. All in favor.
  • Minutes from December 1, 2016
  • Bill Bolton made a motion to accept the minutes as written; seconded by Steve Whitman. All in favor.
  • Minutes from December 15, 2016
  • Rebecca Hanson made a motion to accept the minutes as written; seconded by Bryan Dutille. All in favor.
  • Minutes from January 5, 2017
  • Bill Bolton made a motion to accept the minutes as written; seconded by Eugene Thurston. All in favor.

New BUSINESS:

  • Tara Bamford led a discussion on the master plan. She needs the Board to address the transportation issues, express solutions in the master plan.
  • Sharon Penney said the master plan for the town airport is complete. The town was awarded a state grant last year and is hoping for more possible funding. She has copies if the Board is interested in looking at them and will put them online.
  • Steve Whitman approves of Tara Bamford’s work so far. He likes that her updates include actionable items and other departments, so the public understands more officials are involved to act.
  • John Kelly inquired whether money was appropriated for the Highland Street project.
  • Bill Bolton said money has been set aside. The Select Board wants to start the project next year, would like to apply for more state funding.
  • Tara Bamford stated some changes were made based on the visioning sessions and economic development.
  • Tara Bamford said the town should promote its range of services to attract new business and tourists.
  • Steve Whitman suggests promoting the river more because it is a recreational activity for many residents who enjoy swimming, canoeing and kayaking, tubing and boating.
  • John Kelly would like to see more chain restaurants and focus more on economic development.
  • Rebecca Hanson would like to see the Lakes Region and White Mountains be promoted, both she feels brings in many people.
  • Sharon Penney said the Board should include a reference to Northern Pass in the master plan.
  • Tara Bamford was confused by the meaning of “preservation of neighborhoods” in the original master plan. She interpreted it to mean that the town would like to keep the current land use patterns so neighborhoods are near shops.
  • Steve Whitman and John Kelly would like to see more cluster development on Tenney Mountain Highway to promote the multi-use of buildings.
  • Steve Whitman said the town does not need more chain stores, he would like to see more local business.
  • The Board expressed they would like to see more development in the agricultural zone.
  • Steve Rhodes said some residents are afraid that development will diminish their property values.
  • Tara Bamford said the Board should work with the University and local business to help economic development in town. The Board would like to work with another college community, such as Keene, to generate and implement ideas to boost economic development.
  • Tara Bamford said creating new criteria will help zoning, for instance, setting better definitions and using examples in the text.
  • The Board is satisfied with these updates from Tara Bamford and look forward to meeting again. They need to talk about her contract to possibly extend it.

UNFINISHED AND OTHER BUSINESS:

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

ADJOURNMENT:

  • Steve Whitmanmade a motion to adjourn; motion seconded by Rebecca Hanson. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 8:21p.m.

PLEASE NOTE:

The public is invited to attend all meetings of the Planning Board. During official public hearings, the public is welcome to speak. For other items the public may speak at the discretion of the chair/board. Files on the

applications and items above are available for inspection in the Planning Department in Town Hall, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. These applications and items are subject to change prior to final action. Contact the Planning Department if you have questions or comments about these or any related matters or if you have a disability requiring special provisions for your participation at 536-1731 or you can e-mail the Town Planner, Sharon Penney at: spenney@plymouth-nh.​org.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jaseya Girona

Plymouth Planning Board Meeting Minutes

February 2, 2017

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