TOWN OF SUTTON

Pillsbury Memorial Hall

93 Main Street

Sutton Mills, NH 03221

Zoning Board of Adjustment

Approved Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

 

Call to Order: Acting Chair Betsy Forsham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. She noted that Chair Derek Lick and Alternate Melissa Ballinger, as well as Peter Stanley, Planning and Zoning Administrator and the recording secretary, Kristy Heath, were all absent. Betsy will take the minutes.

Roll Call: Betsy Forsham (acting Chair), Samantha Gordon, Zachary Brock and Marc Beauchemin.

Also Present: Dane and Kris Headley, Tom Schamberg and Donna Catanzaro.

 

Public Hearing:

 

Case ZBA 2023-11: George Peterson & Sydney Smith, 115 Shadow Hill Road.

 

The applicants are seeking Special Exception approval for a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit in an existing barn on their property. The second story and loft would be converted into a one bedroom apartment for their in-laws. The first floor concrete floor will be converted into wood. New, custom windows will be installed. The exterior of the barn will remain unchanged. A new septic system for the DADU is being designed and should be ready within the next few days. In addition, the existing well is being looked at by an expert to determine if it can provide adequate water to both the house and the new unit or if it will need be to be fracked. The possibility of a new well installation is also being explored.

 

Acting Chair Forsham asked for questions or comments from Board members. It was noted that the barn is pre-existing, is further back from the road than the house and thus the setback requirements from the road are not relevant. It was also noted that the existing 1783(!) house has 6 bedrooms.

 

The Acting Chair opened up the hearing to public comment. Dane and Kris Headley said they were in complete agreement with the project, as additional housing is much needed in Sutton, as indicated in the recently updated Sutton Master Plan. There being no further comments, the public comment portion of the hearing was closed.

 

Acting Chair Forsham reviewed the 5 criteria for a Special Exception and the Board found the project met all five points. There were no further comments from the Board members.

 

It was moved by Samantha Gordon and seconded by Zachary Brock to approve the Special Exception as submitted. The motion was approved unanimously.

 

The applicants were informed about the 30-day appeal time frame where the decision could be challenged and, if approved, any work done would have to be reversed.

 

Review of Minutes:

 

It was moved by Marc Beauchemin and seconded by Samantha Gordon to approve the minutes of July 19, 2023 as circulated. The motion was approved unanimously.

 

New Business:

 

Betsy introduced Donna Catanzaro of South Sutton, who is interested in becoming a member. Marc indicated that he would like to be dialed back to an Alternate position so Donna agreed to be a full member, if so appointed by the Select Board. In filling Marc’s place, her term would end in 2025. Marc would be newly appointed as an Alternate to 2026. Betsy will speak with Derek Lick, Administrator Grinsell and the Select Board.

 

Administrative: The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, September, 20, 2023.

 

It was moved by Zachary Brock and seconded by Samantha Gordon to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. The motion was approved and the meeting was adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Betsy Forsham

Acting Recording Secretary