7/24/2024 PB Minutes

TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

Planning Board Public Hearing

July 24, 2024

Minutes

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Present: Linda Moore, Alecia Loveless, Kevin Roy, Sally Fitzgerald, Jerry Blanchard, April Hibberd (for Veronica Morris), and Angela Cleveland

Absent: James Gleason

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Linda Moore opens the meeting at 6:00 pm and appoints Angela Cleveland as a full voting member.

Josh Beemer, owner of the Street Feeder Food Truck located at 1268 Main Street comes before the Planning Board for a conceptual conversation regarding his food truck business. Josh states he understands that parking and traffic flow is of concern and informs the board he is in the process of reinstating the horseshoe shaped driveway that was once there. He also presents his plan to add signage to keep the traffic flow always going in one direction.

Linda Moore pointed out that the site is located on a state road and asked Mr. Beemer if he had contacted NHDOT. She also asked about the seating plan and suggested that dedicated parking areas should be identified by signs to avoid any confusion.

Jerry Blanchard asks how many people Mr. Beemer envisions being on site at one time. Mr. Beemer notes that to date, the most cars that have been on site have been three, but he has room to accommodate five.

April Hibberd suggests Mr. Beemer call NHDOT before they call him.

Kevin Roy pointed out that NHDOT will want to know about the second access to RT 302 once the horseshoe driveway is established.

Jerry Blanchard motions to waive the Site Plan Review process for Street Feeder Food Truck. Alecia Loveless seconded the motion with all members voting in favor. Motion passes 7-0.

Thomas Carter is before the Board to discuss the new antique store located in the space that was initially going to be Bonilla’s Bakery at 2061 Main Street. His understanding was that retail sales were part of the previous ruling and therefore didn’t think it necessary to come before the Planning Board a second time. Linda Moore agreed and thanked him for coming in.

The Board reviewed the minutes from July 10, 2024. Alecia Loveless motioned to approve the minutes as written. Linda Moore seconded the motion. A unanimous vote followed, and the minutes were approved.

The Planning Board moved into a Master Plan work session.

The Board completed the annual review of the Master Plan chapter by chapter and discussed the progress to date. It was noted that the Select Board is listed as the “responsible department” and the question was asked if they regularly reviewed the Master Plan. April Hibberd noted that she would bring the matter up to the Select Board at their next meeting.

In reviewing Chapter 7, Natural Resources, it was suggested the Planning Board meet with the Conservation Committee for updates.

The Planning Board reviewed the proposal submitted by North Country Council for the next Master Plan. It was noted, that because the Town of Bethlehem is a member of North Country Council, the town would not have put an RFP for a Master Plan consultant. The Board asked that the clerk send the proposal out in an email.

With there being no further business Kevin Roy motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:29. Linda Moore seconded with all members voting to adjourn.

Respectfully submitted by,

Dawn Ferringo, Planning and Zoning Clerk