Planning Board
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Meeting Minutes
Members present: Ryan Stone Co-Chair, Courtney Cox Co-Chair, Don Scott, Kathy Scott Select Board Alternate Representative, Peter Thayer, Lisa Anderson, Jonathan Miner Alternate
Members absent: Andrew Maneval Select Board Representative
Attendees: Ned Hulbert, Sarah Heffron
The meeting opened at 7:00 pm.
Attendance, Roles and Voting Members – Ryan Stone noted that the voting members included Ryan Stone, Courtney Cox, Peter Thayer, Lisa Anderson and Kathy Scott
Approval of Agenda – Kathy Scott moved to approve the agenda. Pete Thayer seconded. All voted in favor.
Minutes of previous meeting(s): 9/13/2023 – Courtney Cox moved to approve the minutes of September 13. Pete Thayer seconded. All voted in favor, with Kathy Scott and Lisa Anderson abstaining due to absence.
Annual Planning/Select Board Luncheon – Ned Hulbert confirmed with members that the annual brunch date is set for Sunday, November 12, from 11-1 pm. He will circulate the menu to confirm contributions.
SRH Farm Food, LLC – The board received an application from the owners of 31 Clymers Drive for a conditional use permit to construct a detached ADU. The two application reviewers will notify the applicants within 7 days if any additional information is needed. The board noted the invitation by the ZBA chair to hold a joint PB/ZBA meeting given the overlapping ordinance issues related to the application. The Co-Chairs will confer with the ZBA Chair to schedule.
Julie Schoelzel of Greater Monadnock Collaborative (website:MonadnockNH.com) – Ms. Schoelzel addressed PB members on the formation of the organization, formerly the Keene Chamber of Commerce, whose goal is to promote the Monadnock Region to recruit and maintain a modern workforce. She shared the recently published Thrive Guide, produced by Yankee Magazine, discussed the grants that have and will continue to fund the effort, and exhibited a selection of website content.
Master Plan ReView Steering – Members reviewed the draft tri-fold created by Gwarlingo. Lisa Anderson noted the links to the larger Master Plan are part of a separate process that will be added once the tri-fold is added to the website. Feedback included suggestion to add availability of pre-school to the Education section, question about the omission of regional cooperation, and discussion on quality of readability given color of text against the background.
The committee will give it another month’s review.
Ordinance Review Committee – Jon Miner, Andrew Maneval and Don Scott met two weeks ago. They asked the PB to clarify some of the ordinance topics requested to be reviewed or considered. The ORC will meet again on Fri, October 20, at 3:00 pm to set priorities and also to discuss the ZBA’s question on PB jurisdiction over conditional use permits for Accessory Dwelling Units and waivers for setbacks. The ORC also plans to look at agritourism. Charlie Sorenson will serve as a consultant to the ORC, with Harry Wolhandler and Ed Tibbetts to join.
Other business
-2024 Budget Planning – Kathy Scott will share the SB’s timetable for preparing the 2024 budget and invited PB members to submit recommended priorities and suggestions for the CIP as well as the 2024 budget.
-Road Work Committee – The committee working on a plan for upgrades to Church and School Streets and Church Alley will distribute the draft proposal in November to all land use boards for comment.
The board moved to adjourn at 9:10 pm.