Washington Planning Board

Public Hearing – January 3, 2012

0.0 Assembly: 6:30PM

0.1 Members present:

Cook, Marshall, Schwartz, Chute

0.2 Alternates present:

Terani

0.3 Members and Alternates Absent: Crandall, Dagesse and Kluk

0.4 Visitors: Al Krygeris

Public Hearing on changes to the LUO and Site Plan Review Regulations in the Cottage Industry/Minor Home Occupations sections

Cook called the hearing to order at 6:30PM.

Schwartz made a motion for Terani to sit in for Crandall, Marshall seconded and all voted in favor.

Al Krygeris made the suggestion that Michelle put the purpose of the hearing in the calendar section of the Selectmen’s minutes. He didn’t see the notices that were posted and came out of curiosity to see what the hearing was about. We will suggest this to Michelle for future hearings.

This was the first hearing on the changes to the LUO and Site Plan Review Cottage Industry sections. Cook read through the LUO ordinance changes and spoke about the purpose for the suggested changes. She suggested adding a line to the 200.4 LUO section concerning business uses, stating that the business types listed are included but not limited to those listed. All agreed. Terani suggested referencing the state RSA in section 200.3 to help define “screening” since we don’t have a definition for screening in the definitions section of the LUO. Schwartz will research the RSAs and add something to that section. Cook suggested adding a line to the last section 200.4 that states no businesses will be permitted that would take away from the rural character or aesthetics of the community. After discussion, everyone agreed that this was important and we will work on some language to add for this section. Krygeris asked if a line in section 200.2 was redundant and not necessary. We felt it was fine to reiterate that a minor home occupation or cottage industry should not disturb the rural or residential environment because it is supposed to be invisible to the neighborhood. Krygeris asked whether we look to other towns when we are writing our ordinances. Terani stated that we do look at other local communities similar in size to us when working on our ordinances and we also seek advise from our regional planning commission.

Cook then went over the changes to the Site Plan Review Regulations and then asked for comments. There were no suggested comments or changes to this section.

Schwartz will make the suggested changes to the documents and the second public hearing will be held prior to our next monthly meeting on February 7^th at 6:30PM.

Cook closed the hearing at 7:00PM after Marshall motioned to do so, Schwartz seconded and all voted in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Nan Schwartz