Planning Board Minutes

Minutes of 11/3/2022

November 17th, 2022

CARROLL PLANNING BOARD MEETING MINUTES (DRAFT)

Carroll Town Hall 92 School Street
Twin Mountain, N.H. 03595

Nov 3, 2022
7:00 P.M.

“These minutes of the Town of Carroll Planning Board have been recorded by its Secretary. Though believed to be accurate and correct, they are subject to additions, deletions, and corrections by the Planning Board at its next meeting when the Board votes its final approval of the minutes. They are being made available at this time to conform to the requirements of New Hampshire RSA 91-A:2.”

Planning Board Members Present:
Alessandro Foti, Chairperson
Austin Alvarez, Vice Chairperson
Donna Foster, Member
Rena Vecchio, Member
Brian Mycko, Member

Others Present: Fire Chief Jeff Duncan, Ansh Singh, David Scalley

1. Call Meeting to Order – Alex calls the meeting to order.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Approval of Minutes – David Scalley lets everyone know he is not a Planning Board member tonight, but an interested public.
i. Sept. 1, 2022 meeting minutes – quorum to approve, Rena makes motion to approve minutes of Sept 1st meeting, Austin seconds, all in favor, 4-0.
ii. Oct. 6, 2022 meeting minutes – several errors and unclear. Discussion on the “motion to accept” actually was “motion to approve” the application, contingent upon signatures of the Fire Chief.
No quorum, tabled until the next meeting.
Alex raises the thought that the method of granting approvals may be flawed and needs review.

4. Old Business: Tiny Ventures, LLC Application. Hearing requested by Chief Duncan, Carroll Fire Department. Alex recuses himself from this hearing.
Austin says he has received a letter and application guide to the Planning Board process.
Chief Duncan notes that the process needs to corrected. It should require his signature, but he is refusing to sign. Too many issues, too vague. For example: no home size defined, should be a subdivision not a site plan. Another plan was received, better but still needs work. Because of the time spent on this project already the process could be sped up but will still need to go to sub-division.

Austin asks Chief Duncan if he has anymore to add.

Added: no specifics, no hydrants, no water, need a complete site plan.

Austin will incorporate the information in his notes.

Rena asks if Chief Duncan had spoken to anyone.
Chief Duncan says initially it did not look too bad.

Additional notes: water and electricity are not noted. Tiny houses are 400 sq. ft, not 500 sq.ft.

Discussion of Boulder Motor Court and what is happening there. Approved for 3, he has 4 and they are not park model RV’s, the State sent a letter and said they would not register them. The State Fire Marshall contacted the manufacturer to confirm they are not park model RVs.

Alex and Jeff continue discussion on site plan definition, subdivision definition, zoning.

All in agreement that regulations need to be reviewed before there is a liability to the Town.

Austin thanks Chief Duncan for pointing out all of the discrepancies, and states that if there is no Fire Chief’s approval signature, there is no subdivision approval.

Rena feels that this was a mistake to approve, and now needs to go to the lawyer for guidance.

Alex: if Chief has a letter of denial, then the application is denied. Applicant can either appeal to the Zoning Board or present a new application.

Further discussion between all on conditions not met, sending letter to the applicant, requiring the road agent as well as the fire chief’s approval signatures, safety issues, traffic flow, etc.

Austin mentions the need for the proof of 2 lots merged. All conditions need proof of being met and have the fire chief and road agent’s signature.

Brian makes a motion for the Vice Chairman of the Planning Board to send a letter to the applicant, saying that without the fire chief’s approval or sign off on the approval, the project cannot move forward, but that the applicant is invited to reapply.

Donna says she is confused. Application was reviewed, said to be complete, but now needs more information.

Austin and Rena stress that there is no proof and copies of proof need to be attached to the application.

Brian again states his proposed motion, for the Vice Chairman of the Planning Board to send a letter to the applicant, saying that without the fire chief’s approval or sign off on the approval, the project cannot move forward, but that the applicant is invited to reapply.
Rena seconds, all in favor, 4-1(recused).

Alex rejoins the Planning Board, stating that the application is deficient and conditional approval is a problem.

Brian says that conditional approvals should be stopped and signatures obtained.

Alex, once the signatures are gotten and the plan is clean, then approve.

Talk of significant deficiencies in the application and regulations. Decision to either change the application which requires no Town vote, or to change regulation which requires Town approval.

Further description on details needed, fire and rescue, safety are other factors. Overall, the application or regulations need to be changed to avoid legal liabilities.

Donna asks when the Town needs the changes to the regulations.
Brian says December and we will not make that.

Alex wants to figure out how to make this happen as housing is needed.

It cannot just be pushed thru; it must be done safely. The Master Plan should be followed to guide the housing and economic growth of the Town.

Discussion by all on regulations, their flexibility to get homes built. Safety most important. Review the regulations is agreed by all.

Rena mentions changing the application to make it fit.
Brian says to work with the applicant on needing more detail.
Alex wants applicants to obtain signatures and permits before coming to the Planning Board. Make it very clear.

Rena says she voted for the conditional approval, but when there were 8 conditions, felt that was too much.

Alex and the Board at the next meeting will start the application form and strengthen the verbiage.

5. New Business: Consultation for Quaint Glamping
Ansh Singh is present to discuss his plan.
Definition and discussion on what a “campground” is. Approval cannot be granted until the Zoning Board approves a special exception.

Donna asks without solid sides; this may be a campground.
Discussion on description of units, rental, requirements for, energy codes.

Alex: the campground path may be easier to follow as it is not a standard structure.

Discussion continues whether this is seasonal or full-time, the need for road regulations, subdivision.

Rena says this is “to be determined”.

Further investigation is necessary, all approvals and permits must be obtained from the State and Zoning Board first. The Planning Board is the last step to getting site plan approval.

Ansh explains that he has hired a property manager because it is a bank requirement.

Conversation regarding grants for “Glamping”.

Scalley (public) says there is a lot of land but no housing for people coming here to work…maybe put in the Master Plan that housing needs to be provided for the workers of the project.

More discussion on lodging, housing, State help, finding and keeping workers.

Closing thoughts – research descriptions and regulations.

Suggested to come to the monthly Planning Board meetings to work with the Planning Board on the project.

Ansh says he has tried to find information on the regulations.

Rena says they can be found on the Town’s website.
Alex adds that questions can be emailed.

Ansh thanks the board for their time and information.

6. Board Discussion: Food Truck Regulations; review draft of proposed application form
Alex presents a draft to the Planning Board for review. A 14-day, arbitrary number, has to be a cutoff limit. If it is a simple application for temporary fine, otherwise a site plan for permanent.

Food trucks are popular at events. Should be encouraged.

Brian says it looks straight forward.

Vendors are to provide a copy of the State Permit with number. How will this be enforced? The Health Inspector? The State appoints a Health Inspector.

Discussion of parking area needed and most questionably does an ice cream truck need a permit; it is always moving.

Rena: The Rec department wants to keep the momentum of the past summer. Should keep the $50 fee for short lived events.

Austin wants to add that the dates and days of parking should be noted. Which is a good point. Is there a need to note the size of the mobile food unit?

Alex: providing a photo of the unit will provide that information.

Item 9 suggested to be deleted. All agree this seems good. Alex to make changes and bring to the next meeting.

Rena asks if there should be a fee. To cover site plan review. Alex answers in the affirmative.

7. All Other Business
Discussion on the need for regulations on rehab/detox facilities. They must have their own medical staff and own security instead of relying on the Town to provide. Currently if it is not in the ordinance, it is not allowed, but can the State overrule? This facility can pass under zoning regulations for homes. Things to think and consider are the need for protection against crime as the inhabitants come and go. Research needed.

8. Adjourn
Austin makes motion to adjourn at 9:10pm, Rena seconds, all in favor, 4-0.