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Home » 11/09/2016 – PB Minutes

11/09/2016 – PB Minutes

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TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
Planning Board
MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2016
BETHLELHEM TOWN HALL MEETING ROOM
6:00PM

Present: Chairman Michael Bruno, Chris McGrath, Marie Stevenson, Sandy Laleme and Steve Gorman.
Absent: Johnathan Stevenson and Vice Chair Dave Wiley
Chairman Bruno read the AGENDA for past minutes and Baker Brook Conceptual
The board read over the minutes from October 26, 2016 & November 2, 2016. It was determined that the minutes would be approved at a later date due to not having a quorum.

Baker Brook Conceptual

A general site plan was presented to the board for Baker Brook. There is 150 acres. Dave Eckman from Eckman engineering presented a set of plans. Plans consisted of one Hotel Franchise, possibly a branch of the Hilton. It will have high ceilings, 81 units with 87 or more parking spaces on the non-pond side of 302. All units will include two doors. Extended stay (Link to adjoining room) Property is in District 3. Maximum structure height is 40’. It will require a special exception from the zoning board to go to the height of 60’. It will be four floors

The pond side will consist of 15 new cabins. The cabins are being built by ZOOK of Pennsylvania; Amish made cabins will be delivered in early spring. Plans for the property would be to clean up the pond with some direction from the Fish and Game warden, add walking trails and clean the trout pond to make it a viable attraction. The cabins will be separate from the hotel.

Applicant still needs to speak with the Fire Chief.

Snow storage and curb cuts need to be added to the plans. Speed limits need to be changed. Permits for DES and conservation need to be filed, meet with Bethlehem Village District (currently 800psi of water down the hill)

Clean solutions/leach field for the septic system is proposed for the project.

The client would like to know if they can proceed with the hotel foundation since they will be replacing the existing footprint. Dave Willey told them to start with the SE and then SPR will follow. Once you have submitted, the process takes about 30 days or less to be heard.

The restaurant will be located on the pond side, facing the water. It will consist of two stories. The stone cabin in the back with a fireplace (pond side) will possibly have a bowling alley and inside entertainment area for the kids.

David Eckman will file an application for a SE in the near future. Steve Gorman said that this is an awesome idea. Just need to add more parking. This would be great for the town. What is the cost of this project? $10 million dollar project, Mr. Eckman answered. There was back and forth talk about skating on the pond. Chris McGrath said it is only 4 feet deep. Sandy Laleme asked about the high power lines for Northern Pass that abut Baker Brook property. There are double lines now. Northern pass will go over the existing power lines. The client is in negations’ with Northern pass with the shoreline setbacks. They get the back and client gets the front.

This was the end of the Baker Brook conceptual. Dave Eckman will come in to the town hall to fill out a SE for a height restriction. 40 – 60’

Board Business

Chairman Bruno said he was challenged by Chris McGrath to reduce the budget by 35%. There was discussion about the cost to advertise for the clerk position last year. The clerk position was changed from 30 hours from 16. This was a $9000.00 decrease. Discussion on postage costs, this was due to the AHEAD project. Legal advice may be increased due to the Casella project. Steve Gorman asked if we all insured as planning board members. Town defends the suit. Said Sandy Laleme

Budget looks good said Sandy Laleme. The final budget proposed will be a 31% decrease.
Elections are coming up for board member in January 2017.

The board moved on to tweaking the checklist for SPR. Chairman Bruno asked to have a separate checklist for abutters, SPR, sub division and lot line projects. Steve Gorman asked about bonding projects. Chris McGrath said the state may bond on the pond.

Clerk will work on the checklist and present it to the board at a later date.
The board discussed finishing the master plan. December 14 is the next Master Plan meeting 6:00 at the library.

Sandy Laleme said she had read over the master plan a couple of times cannot see the vision. She said it is a nice historical read. There are 5-7 pages of classification of roads. She would like to have another once over on it. Where is it taking us? She would be hesitant to sign on to the Master Plan as it is. We should be asking for a robust chamber of commerce said Steve Gorman. We would like to have business come to town, but we are perceived as not a very friendly. Town’s people are negative about new business that have uniforms and or business like the Dollar Store, FedEx. and Dunkin Donuts. The hope is for it to change with the AHEAD, Arlington and Baker Brook projects said Steve Gorman. We will have every B&B at the meeting for Baker Brook said Chris McGrath. Chairman Bruno said that the B&B people should try to think about piggybacking with the Arlington and Baker Brook listings.

Chris McGrath said that the Arlington is listed as the top booker in the area. The board agreed that the
Jewish community has always been an important part of our town.

Sandy Laleme asked, where are we going to be in ten years and how are you going to get there?
The board agreed that the town needs to help all quality projects, to see them all the way to it completion.
Chris McGrath motion to adjourn Marie Stevenson seconded 5-0 motion carries
Adjourned 7:40

Respectfully submitted
Debra Bayley
Planning/Zoning Clerk

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