Planning Board Meeting: December 3, 2025

Attendance

• Planning Board Members present in-person: John Mirick, Corey Burnham-Howard, Ian Catlow, Scott Peoples and Alternate Members Ann O’Connor and Ryan O’Meara
• Planning Board Members present, remote: none

• Planning Board Members absent: Larry DeBlois

• Other Participation, in person: Todd Greamo, Mark Lambert, and Rick and Patricia McCowan
• Other Participation, remote: None

Call to Order

At approximately 7:30 PM.

Review and Act on ANR Plan for 13 and 16 Richards Road

Todd Greamo (16 Richard Road) and Rick and Patricia McGowan (13 Richard Road) presented an ANR plan prepared by Jarvis Land Survey for the swap of two 5,000 square foot parcels.  Because the McCowans are clients, John Mirick recused himself and appointed Ryan O’Meara to the panel.  Corey Burnham-Howard chaired the panel.

The ANR plan does not involve frontage.  The total area of each lot remains the same.  13 Richards Road has a little more than 9 acres.  16 Richard Road has a little more than 6 acres.  The purpose of the swap is to avoid a side yard setback issue with a barn to be built on 13 Richards Road.  The Board determined that the plan did not create any new building lots and gave the plan an ANR endorsement.

Motion:  To give ANR endorsement

Motion:  Ian Catlow; Second: Scott Peoples

Vote:  5-0

Informal Discussion of ADU for 175 Sterling Road

No one appeared.

Informal Discussion for Home Occupation at 58 Merriam Road

Mark Lambert inquired about locating a landscaping business at 58 Merriam Road.  The property has been used by LaPorte Bus since before zoning was adopted.  The Chair explained that while the Laporte Bus commercial use was grandfathered, the land is now zoned for residential-agricultural uses and any new commercial use would be required to meet the provisions for a home occupation. Mark’s operation is much larger than a home occupation.  Mark asked if there was any available land in Princeton for a commercial landscaping business.  The Chair offered to send him details on the business and business-industrial districts.

Site Plan Review for modification/addition to cell tower at 120 Thompson Road

No one appeared.

Possible further informal discussion with Frank Carrier for OSRD project off of Main Street

No one appeared.

Continued Discussion on Possible Planning Board Zoning Amendment Initiatives

Survey.  John circulated a revised survey.  The survey will be included in the mailing packet for the census if it can be limited it to a single, double-sided page.  Ann suggested that all narrative responses should be at the end of the survey with an invitation to use extra sheets if needed.  Corey will develop a QR code for residents who prefer to make an electronic response.  A Survey Monkey or other on-line survey option is also a possibility.

Expanding Home Occupations.  Larry is leading the research on this topic.  In his absence, there was just some general comments about including some illustrative examples of permissible home occupations rather than an exclusionary list, and requiring a special permit with the applicant showing that the proposed home occupation would not adversely impact residential neighborhoods.  The sense of the Board was to wait for survey responses before moving forward on this.

Earth Removal.  Ian will parse through the current language and consider changes for more flexibility for earth removal incidental to construction.

Battery Storage.  There continues to be media coverage of concerns with large battery storage facilities.  Scott will approach CMRPC to determine if there are any recommendations for small towns.

East Princeton Village Overlay District.  Corey has proposed some language for such a district.  As with possible expansion of home occupations, the Board will wait for survey responses before moving forward on this.

Scenic Roads.  Ann will start working on proposed language based on what other towns have done.  Any by-law should probably address a strip (10 feet?) parallel to the edge of the public right of way.

Outdoor Lighting.  Corey has provided proposed language for review.

Kennels.  Other than as a home occupation, the sense was that this was an issue for the Selectboard and the Board of Health.

Business Zoning. As with home occupations and the East Princeton Overlay District, the Board will wait for survey responses before moving forward on this.

AI Data Centers.  Corey has provided proposed language for review with  regulation by size rather than prohibiting altogether.

Updating Guidelines on Website.  This does not require town meeting action.  When she has time later this winter, Corey plans to work on suggested updates.

Stormwater Runoff.  Ian and Scott will look for examples.  Any proposed zoning amendment should probably explicitly defer to the Conservation Commission if wetlands are affected.  At present, Site Plan Review is required under Section XII.2(3) for grading or clearing more than 10% of a lot, with exceptions.  An approach might be to require Site Plan Review if grading/clearing will increase runoff.

Public Comment

No one appeared.

Report from the Chair on Pending Matters

John reported that Town Counsel has a personal medical issue.  Bomba’s attorney has agreed to an extension of court deadlines.  When Town Counsel has recovered, the Board will meet with him in Executive Session.

Review and Approve Minutes for November 19 meeting

Motion to approve minutes.

Motion:  Corey Burnham-Howard; second Scott Peoples

Vote:  Unanimous

Next Meeting

December 17, 2025 at 7:30 PM.

Meeting Adjourned

At approximately 8:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

John Mirick

Documents Reviewed

• ANR plan for 13 and 16 Richard’s Road
• Chart of possible topics for current year
• 12/2/25 draft of zoning survey
• Draft minutes for 11/19/25 meeting