Lebanon Municipal Airport

The meeting addressed procedural matters for conducting a virtual meeting due to the coronavirus pandemic, including guidelines for remote participation and technical support. A key agenda item was a public hearing for a property at 237 Hanover Street, involving an application for a special exception to change a non-conforming use from vehicular repair to storage and recycling facility for Nordic Waste Services. The applicant presented details regarding operations, vehicle usage, hours, and assured the board that hazardous waste would not be handled and that indoor sorting would mitigate noise and rodent concerns. The board discussed procedural matters regarding which members should vote on continued hearings, including a member recusing themselves due to a conflict of interest. A general recommendation was made to continue all public hearings until a subsequent meeting on April 20th to allow for additional public input, especially for those facing technical difficulties.

The meeting, conducted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, focused on establishing the board's roles and responsibilities. Key discussions involved explaining the structure of the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district, detailing how public facilities infrastructure (roadways, utilities) will be funded by tax increments generated from private development on city-owned and privately held properties within the district. The board also discussed the two-pronged use of tax increments: paying for infrastructure bonds and leasing revenues benefiting the airport fund. A significant administrative task discussed was the need to finalize and submit a budget by July 24th, and the board needed to provide a recommendation to the City Council regarding the airport tech park development plan. The board proceeded with the election of officers, appointing a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson.

The meeting commenced with a review of meeting procedures under New Hampshire RSA 91-A, including special provisions for electronic meetings due to the coronavirus pandemic. The board addressed the status of a public hearing continued from August 17, 2020, noting the application was incomplete and would not be heard. The minutes from the August 17th meeting were approved, with one board member requesting a specific note regarding a prior discussion about testimony for the Lebanon Volvo application. The board then proceeded to the first public hearing, which was a new application from William and Laurie Gazafi for a variance to allow the continued operation of a towing business and vehicular impound yard at 351 Meridian Road. The representative detailed the history, including a previously granted variance in April 2019, the subsequent failure to meet imposed conditions within 180 days, and the subsequent filing of a new application. Key discussion points involved confirming that landscaping trees have now been planted and the impound yard fence height was raised to the required eight feet. Procedural questions arose regarding the weight of the previous decision given the change in board composition. The board heard objections from a neighbor regarding prior non-compliance but was ultimately asked to approve the variance under the conditions that the eight-foot stockade fence and existing landscaping be maintained.

The meeting commenced with technical discussions regarding remote meeting recording and connectivity issues, including addressing participants who were having trouble joining the virtual session. Key discussion topics centered on the Electrify America progress update, specifically concerning the documentation needed to permit improvements on the railroad/DOT right-of-way for installing a charging station. Participants reviewed historical agreements dating back to 1994 and subsequent documents relating to city maintenance of the rail-to-trail corridor. The discussion also covered land ownership boundaries around City Hall and where the city-owned section of the corridor ends relative to the state-owned right-of-way. Furthermore, the viability of reopening the corridor for rail use, particularly double-stack freight service, was evaluated, noting that the existing tunnel structure and surrounding developments limit necessary vertical clearance, diminishing the business case for reactivation.

The meeting commenced electronically due to the coronavirus pandemic emergency order, authorizing electronic meetings without a physical quorum and providing public access via telephone. Key discussion items included the approval of the March 2020 minutes. Major topics involved planning for the communications plan implementation, discussions surrounding the bike-friendly community designation, and setting priorities for the 2020 master plan, specifically concerning the ped bike plan scope. Updates were provided on the Miracle Mile pedestrian and transit stop improvements RFP, with support for an accessible connection to Lebanon. The committee also reviewed feedback on the 343 Mile Support Road project concerning parking ratios, bike storage, and pedestrian connectivity to bus stops. Furthermore, updates covered Greenway survey efforts, coordination with Littleton, Rec and Parks, and the Upper Valley Trails Alliance regarding extension into West Lebanon and safety concerns like access points and signage. There was a discussion regarding increased pedestrian and bicyclist activity due to COVID-19 distancing efforts and potential associated risks, which prompted a request for police to monitor related incidents. Finally, information was shared about the expected completion timeline for the state pedestrian and bicycle transportation plan by August.