I.        CALL TO ORDER:

Chair Scott Millar called the meeting to order at 6:28 p.m.

II.      PUBLIC COMMENT:

None

III.    OLD BUSINESS:

A.    Follow up: Zoning Study

Chairman Millar asked Town Planner William DePasquale to review with the Board information produced by the Libra Planners (Municipal Planning Consultants) who had been tasked with rewriting four or five sections of the Town’s zoning compliance. The Planner stated that one of Libra’s tasks was to provide a starting point in addressing some of Exeter’s antiquated ordinances and address some of the needs of the zoning ordinances in a way that complies with new state laws.

The Planner explained that the Town’s special use permits now need to have specific performance standards associated with each specific use. He noted that Exeter has never had an umbrella of uses and/or categories of uses. Thus, making it difficult to assign a performance criterion to the different categories of uses. Mr. DePasquale stated that a table of zoning uses is now being proposed. The Planner informed the Board that Hal Morgan, Zoning Inspector, is also reviewing the proposed changes, and does have several modifications. He asked the Planning Board to review the format and to indicate whether they supported the new format. He pointed out that one striking difference with the new format was the addition of a list of prohibited uses.

Planner DePasquale did indicate that he would be asking the Libra Planner consultants to join the Board at a future work session. The Board then reviewed the suggested list of prohibited uses for the town and offered their opinions on what should be prohibited or limited to industrial districts. The Chairman asked that future discussions should include certain necessary definitions.

Vice Chair Michael DeFrancesco asked if something is not on the list, is it not then prohibited? The Planner indicated that the new law states, “you have to give the applicant the ability to petition that it is more like something else.”

The Planner discussed with the Board the Ladd Center and how he continues to work with the State in order to finalize an agreement on the category of uses at the Center. The Planner noted that the initial RFP returned no bidders and that the proposal is currently being rewritten before going out to bid again.

Discussion around both small and large wind turbines was discussed, and the Planner indicated that he will add appropriate definitions. Other topics under discussion included: junk yards, residential zones, agriculture, housing, short-term rentals, daycare, marijuana and commercial enterprises - as the Board continued to examine items to be included or excluded on the zoning use table. The Chairman felt when going forward performance standards would become extremely important.

B.     Continue Discussion: Comprehensive Plan Status

The Chairman announced that The Comprehensive Plan was approved by the Council and will now be sent on to Statewide Planning.

IV.   NEW BUSINESS:

A.    Discussion: Rural Residential Compounds

Chairman Millar introduced this topic and gave some background on an ordinance that was passed about 20 years ago with regards to rural residential compounds. He explained that the first time Exeter tried to do anything like a cluster, the Town Council was very nervous, but did allow the compound(s) with a 10-acre density. Chairman Millar noted that there are only two within the town.

Chairman Millar indicated that there have not been any since the Town adopted the conservation development approach, a more sophisticated cluster development, allowing the land owner as many lots as the underlying zoning will allow. Mr. Millar suggested making changes. He felt what distinguished a rural residential compound from a minor conservation development, was a private road and that the open space would be retained in private ownership. He indicated that most conservation developments have a homeowners association managing the land. He felt that when homeowner associations are in ownership of the land, very little management, if any, is likely to happen in the future. He noted that the goal is not just to preserve the rural character of Exeter, but the rural lifestyle. He felt people managing large parcels of land has always been part of Exeter’s lifestyle.

Mr. Millar thought it might make sense to have something called a Rural Residential Compound which are intended to preserve the rural character of the town by permitting low-density residential development on large parcels of land while relieving the applicant from compliance with the design and improvement standards applicable to conventional land development and subdivisions. Discussion continued as Chairman Millar reviewed his draft on revised residential compounds under the Exeter Land Development and Subdivision Regulations. Board member Mike Viveiros took a cautionary stance and suggested a longer review of the changes before moving forward. Town Planner DePasquale also had some additional questions for the Chairman and offered his ideas for making improvements to the draft and applying design standards.

The consensus of the group was to continue working on this idea.

B.     Budget 2024-2025: Planning Board and Town Planner

Town Planner DePasquale reviewed his budget proposal with the Planning Board. He explained that he has kept the budget the same as last year (2023), except for an additional $14,000 dollars to be used for consulting and contract services. He noted that a good portion of the dollars will be needed for printing and advertising costs.   

Chairman Millar entertained a motion to approve the proposed budget for the Planning Office as explained by Town Planner William DePasquale. William Haas made the motion; it was seconded by Joe St. Lawrence; voted all in favor (5-0), the 2024-2025 Planning Department budget was approved. (Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, William Haas, Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence).

C.    Discussion: Change in Start Time for Planning Board Meetings

Chairman Millar made a motion to change the start time of the Planning Board Meetings from 6:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. beginning on May 14, 2024; Joe St. Lawrence seconded the motion; voted all in favor (5-0), the motion passed. (Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, William Haas, Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence).

V.     ADMINISTRATIVE:

A.      Approval of Minutes:

  March 11, 2024 Joint Town Council/Planning Board Meeting

Michael DeFrancesco made a motion to approve the minutes of March 11, 2024 as submitted; Seconded by Gina Thurn; voted all in favor (5-0); the motion passed. (Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, William Haas, Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence).

B.       Future Meeting: Planning Board Regular Meeting – Tuesday, April 23, 2024

VI.    ADJOURNMENT:

Motion to adjourn made by Bill Haas, seconded by Gina Thurn; voted all in favor. 

Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. (Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, William Haas, Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence).

Respectfully submitted,

Rebecca M. Lukowicz and M. Dixie Foisy, Planning Board Clerk