WASHINGTON CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Minutes- October 26, 2004
1.0 Assembly: Time 7:00 p.m.
Present: Carol Andrews, Mike Andrews, Tom Taylor, Aileen Ruggles Chute, Lionel Ruggles Chute, Jed Schwartz, Nan Schwartz.
2.0 Approval of Minutes: approved as printed.
3.0 Old Business:
3.1 This meeting was primarily dedicated to the Smart Growth initiative.
Sandy has done research on the Shoreland Protection Act and the issue of building permits on Class VI roads.
Tom had a very productive meeting with a lawyer at the Municipal Association. The group discussed the aspects of each of these options.
Smart Growth Options
I. Storm water Controls:
A. EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulates stormwater runoff on sites larger then 1 acre and is mandatory. It also applies to smaller lots in recognized developments. This requirement should be added to Washington LUO checklist as a prerequisite to issuance of building permits.
B. For small grand fathered lots town can require an engineering site plan for storm water runoff as a prerequisite to assure construction does not create a nuisance to abutting parcels & roads. This would have the effect of keeping size of construction proportional to size of lot. Basis is in NH Court findings.
II. State Building Code:
A. Adopt the NH State Building Code and authorize enforcement IAW RSA 674:51.
B. Authorize the establishment of a Revolving Fund for use by Selectmen to compensate building inspector(s). said fund to be sustained by fees collected from building permits.
III. Temporary Cap on Number of New Home Building Permits:
A. This is doable on a short-term basis (1 to 2 years) if there is justification. Need to update Master Plan to recognize current requirements and to base planning on facts, data & science is considered justification. Using an average of last 10 years as annual cap will stand the test if challenged. A proper Master Plan requires money $ and will require some expenditure.
B. An 18-month cap on number of new houses should be considered.
IV. Shoreland Protection Standards:
A. For all building within 250 feet of shoreland, require certification of compliance with RSA 483-B as a prerequisite to issuance with building permit. LUO currently incorporates but does not make compliance a prerequisite – leaves to after the fact enforcement by state.
V. Master Plan:
A. An update of the Master Plan is essential for long-range growth control. This needs to be done before developers submit requests or it will be too late to establish control.
Tom will check on the procedure for changing the Land Use Ordinance.
Adopting a building code and stormwater regulations can be done by the Selectmen.
There is some question as to what the EPA stormwater permit regulates. Is it soil disturbance?
Tom states that the deadline for petition articles is early January.
3.2 Lovewell Mountain hike had 7 participants. A beautiful day!
3.3 Carol will submit a sample letter about the Sunapee expansion for the Selectmen to sign.
3.4 The Forestry Committee is working on an interpretive trail on the Camp Morgan land.
3.5 Should the Conservation Commission join the Association of Conservation Commissions? The cost is $175. Carol- we don’t have the money this year. Mike- it’s important that we support this entity, especially since they helped us to get started. Jed- perhaps we could get a donation.
What’s happening in nature? Witch Hazel is blooming now.
Upcoming events:
Smart Growth Meeting November 10th at 7:00 at the Town Hall
NH Association of Conservation Commissions 34th Annual Meeting November 6 (8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) at the Rundlett Middle School in Concord
Correspondence: NH Municipal Association “A guide to Legislative Advocacy for Local Officials”
NH DES Request for more information for Washington Lake Association
NH Association of Conservation Commissions (fee for joining $175)
Adjournment: 8:25 p.m.
Next Meeting Date: November 23rd at 7:00 at the Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol K. Andrews
Secretary