Sanbornton Planning Board supporting 4 zoning amendments for adoption on May 12

The Planning Board is proposing four amendments to the Zoning Ordinance for consideration at Sanbornton’s 2009 Town Meeting. The board is authorized by state law (NH RSA 675:3) to propose amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and to hold the necessary public hearings to present the proposed amendments to the voters.

The first of two public hearings was held on March 23. A second public hearing was held on April 6 to discuss several substantive revisions to the proposed zoning amendments which were decided upon by the Sanbornton Planning Board after the first public hearing. Sanbornton voters will vote by ballot on Tuesday, May 12 to approve or disapprove the following proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance:

— Amendment #1: To amend several existing definitions which are presently included in Article 3, the Definition Section of the Zoning Ordinance, specifically the definitions of “Building”, “Dwelling” and “Multiple Family Dwelling”.

— Amendment #2: To add seven new definitions to Article 3, the Definition Section of the Zoning Ordinance, specifically the definition of “Accessory Apartment”, “Accessory Building”, “Accessory Structure”, “Single-Family Dwelling”, “Two-Family Dwelling”, “Dwelling Unit” and “Structure”.

Amendments #1 and #2 are “housekeeping” amendments which are needed to administer the Zoning Ordinance.

— Amendment #3: To amend Article 4, the General Provisions Section of the Zoning Ordinance, by adding a new section entitled “Accessory Apartments”.

Adoption of this amendment will allow property owners to create a small apartment on their property by means of the interior alteration of their dwelling or by means of an addition to their dwelling for the purposes of providing an independent living space for family members or in-law relatives or for a caretaker or care provider or for the purpose of providing additional rental income for the property owner.

— Amendment #4: To amend Article 4, the General Provisions Section of the Zoning Ordinance, by adding a new section entitled “Small Wind Energy Systems”.

Adoption of this amendment will allow “small wind energy systems”, also known as wind mills or wind turbines, to be constructed on peoples’ property to generate electricity for their own use.

Voters are advised that the full wording of the proposed amendments is available for inspection at the Selectmen’s Office, at the Town Clerk’s Office and on the Planning Board page of the town website (www.sanbornton-nh.gov). Voters are further advised that the full wording of the proposed zoning amendments will be posted and available for inspection prior to voting at the Town Meeting polling place at the Town Hall on Tuesday, May 12 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Anyone wishing to obtain more information or wishing to share concerns regarding the proposed zoning amendments should contact Bob Ward, Town Planner at 286-8303.

Voters are advised that the Planning Board supports adoption of all of the proposed amendments.