DUNBARTON PLANNING BOARD - 2003

The Dunbarton Planning Board had a relatively slow year with regard to subdivisions, lot line adjustments, and site plan reviews. We did, however, have an extremely busy year with new and future Planning and Zoning issues.

In 2003, the Planning Board approved four new subdivisions, creating 39 new lots in total. The largest of those subdivisions, creating 21 new lots, is currently in litigation. The Board also approved two lot line adjustments and heard one “Site Plan Review” to modify the lighting plan for the new Pages Corner Market. The Planning Board proposed four new zoning changes at the 2003 Town Meeting, which were all approved by the voters. The Board accepted two other subdivision applications, one of five lots and one of 26 lots, and are currently in the public hearing process. The Board is also currently holding public hearings for a “Site Plan Review and Subdivision” on Morse Road consisting of 16 multi-family dwelling units.

We also received Town support on a request for $40,000 to begin work on a new “Town Master Plan.” In April, we began work by advertising for subcontractors to start the process, choosing “The Central N.H. Regional Planning Commission.” The Board assembled a “Steering Committee,” headed by co-chairs, Brian Nordle and Ron Slocum to coordinate work with the Central Regional Planning Commission. They have scheduled several meetings and workshops, recruited other steering committee members, and are well underway. The Planning Board has made significant progress on the Master Plan in 2003 with substantial completion of the overall project expected in 2004. Please review the separate report of the Master Plan Steering Committee for more details.

In June, our co-chairman, Ken Swayze, took the newly created town position of Administrator: Building, Planning, Zoning and Health. This role gives him the opportunity to coordinate information between the Planning and Zoning Boards, the Selectmen’s office and the Building Inspector’s office to allow better focus on all issues. He is still a voting member of the Planning Board. George Holt, longtime member of the Planning Board, was unanimously voted to the co-chair position, and the Board welcomed new member David Breault as an alternate.

We look forward to another busy year in 2004 and are eager to complete our new Master Plan.

Respectfully Submitted,

James Marcou, Chairman

George Holt, Co-Chairman

Allison Vallieres, Secretary

Steve Kennedy, Selectmen

Kenneth Swayze

Carter Higginbotham

Brian Nordle

Michael Poirier, Alternate

Dave Breault, Alternate