Meeting report · Planning Board
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Planning Board — March 19, 2026
The meeting focused on administrative transitions, routine approvals, and policy drafting without public opposition or significant conflict.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
Solar Ordinance Zoning Changes
Potential changes to how solar projects are permitted based on acreage/size. Affected: Property owners, solar developers, and residents near potential solar sites.
zoning change
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Election of Chair
Tanner Jacques was elected Chairman.
Passed
Election of Vice Chair
Steve Dzubak was elected Vice Chair.
Passed
Secretary Position
The Board voted to leave the position of Secretary empty, as duties are handled by office staff.
Passed unanimously
151 Woodland Heights Driveway Plan
Accepted the signed and stamped driveway plan with the condition that the Fire Department, Road Agent, and Town Engineer must verify construction matches the plan before zoning permits can be applied for.
Passed unanimously
Approval of February 19, 2026, Minutes
Minutes were accepted; Steve Dzubak abstained.
Passed
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
Appointment of Officers
The Board held elections for the positions of Chair, Vice Chair, and discussed the role of Secretary.
Speakers: Mike Howard, Ken Jacques, John Trachy, Tanner Jacques, Steve Dzubak, Jen Roberts
151 Woodland Heights Driveway Application
Review of a driveway application submitted by agent Dave Herrick, including discussion on usage limitations and required inspections.
Speakers: Dave Herrick, Mike Howard, Ken Jacques
Approval of February Meeting Minutes
The Board reviewed and voted on the minutes from the February 19, 2026, meeting.
Speakers: John Trachy, Mike Howard, Steve Dzubak
Driveway Regulations and Engineer Costs
Discussion regarding the clarity of regulations concerning the use of a Town Engineer and the responsibility of applicants to cover associated costs.
Speakers: Tim Josephson, John Trachy
NH Clean Energy Solar Ordinance
Review of a solar ordinance template to distinguish between permitted-by-right projects and larger projects requiring conditional use permits.
Speakers: Steve Dzubak
UVLSRPC Family-Based Childcare Study
Tim Josephson proposed using Springfield as a pilot town for a regional study on family-based childcare.
Speakers: Tim Josephson
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
Driveway Regulations and Engineer Costs
There is ambiguity regarding whether applicants or the town are responsible for the costs of the Town Engineer during the application process. This affects the financial burden on residents seeking development permits.
Board position: The board identified a need for regulatory clarity and assigned members to research engineer availability and draft changes to clarify applicant responsibility for costs.
low concern
02
NH Clean Energy Solar Ordinance
The board is proposing new zoning amendments to distinguish between 'permitted-by-right' solar projects and larger projects requiring 'conditional use permits.' This type of zoning change impacts land use, property rights, and the visual/environmental landscape of the town.
Board position: The board is moving toward a more regulated framework based on acreage to manage solar development.
medium concern
Split votes
Approval of February 19, 2026, Minutes
Passed (with abstention)
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Research the status and availability of the Town Engineer and identify alternatives if necessary.
Assigned: Ken Jacques
Reach out to the 151 Woodland Heights applicants to clarify approval conditions and engineer cost responsibilities.
Assigned: Planning Board
Assist in drafting changes to the Driveway Regulations to clarify applicant responsibility for costs.
Assigned: Tim Josephson
Draft a checklist for the Planning Board to follow when approving driveway applications.
Assigned: John Trachy
Draft an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance based on acreage for solar projects.
Assigned: Steve Dzubak · Due: April 2026
Notable statements
Approval for a driveway does not constitute approval for a private road for further subdivision; it is based on a driveway for a single-family residence. — Board (Collective) · Discussion regarding the 151 Woodland Heights application.
Member positions
6 issues · 0 explicit · 4 inferred
Tanner Jacques
Present
Chair
Election of Chair
YES
✓
Elected as Chairman.
Secretary Position
YES
~
Voted to leave position empty.
151 Woodland Heights Driveway Plan
YES
~
Approved the plan with specific conditions.
Steve Dzubak
Present
Vice Chair
Election of Vice Chair
YES
✓
Elected as Vice Chair.
Secretary Position
YES
~
Voted to leave position empty.
Approval of February 19, 2026, Minutes
ABSTAIN
✓
Abstained from the vote.
NH Clean Energy Solar Ordinance
✓
Proposed new zoning amendments for solar projects.
Jennifer Roberts
Present
Selectboard Ex-Officio
Appointment of Officers
✓
Participated in officer election discussions.
Darrin Patten
Absent
Member
Mike Howard
Present
Member
Appointment of Officers
✓
Participated in officer election discussions.
151 Woodland Heights Driveway Application
YES
~
Approved the plan with specific conditions.
Approval of February 19, 2026, Minutes
YES
~
Approved the minutes.
John Trachy
Present
Member
Appointment of Officers
✓
Participated in officer election discussions.
Approval of February 19, 2026, Minutes
YES
~
Approved the minutes.
Ken Jacques
Present
Member
Appointment of Officers
✓
Participated in officer election discussions.
151 Woodland Heights Driveway Application
YES
~
Approved the plan with specific conditions.
Positions marked ~ are inferred from context and may not reflect the member's explicitly stated position.
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
No public comments were identified in this meeting.
Accountability flags
Documented procedural gaps. Each item links to its source.
Transcript vs. official minutes
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Report composed by
grok-4.20-0309-reasoning, grok-4.3, gemma-4-26b · analyzed 2026-06-01.