Planning Board Meeting - Workshop

WORKSHOP

DURHAM PLANNING BOARD

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Council Chambers, Durham Town Hall

7:00 p.m.

AGENDA

I.         Call to Order

II.        Roll Call, Explanation for those participating on Zoom, Vote to allow participation on Zoom, and Seating of Alternates

III.       Approval of Agenda

IV.       Dunkin Donuts – Free Standing Sign.  3 Dover Road.  Proposed free standing sign in front of the Dunkin Donuts now under construction.  The Site Plan Regulations provide that signage be presented to the Planning Board for nonbinding comments.  The applicant is also applying for a variance to allow for a free standing sign which is not permitted in the Courthouse District.  Jim Mitchell and Scott Mitchell, Tropic Star Development, LLC, property owner.  Courthouse District.  Map 108, Lot 38. Recommended action:  Offer nonbinding comments.

V.        Amendment for ADU’s.  Discussion of proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to require owner occupancy on single-family sites with an accessory dwelling unit.  Recommended action:  Modify proposal, schedule a public hearing, or reject proposal.

VI.       Architectural Regulations.  Proposed changes to Architectural Design Standards in Site Plan Regulations. Recommended action:  Review proposed changes.

VII.     Annual Meeting.  Review of prior year’s activities (over prior 12 months) and discussion about plans for the upcoming year. Recommended action:  Discussion.

VIII.    Other Business:

IX.       Adjournment   

*ZOOM ACCESS

The Town of Durham offers access to meetings with Zoom and Durham Cable Access Television (DCAT) as a convenience to the public. Zoom is generally reliable for watching meetings and offering comments when allowed.  However, due to factors outside our control, occasionally access on Zoom does not work well.  We cannot guarantee that Zoom will always be available seamlessly and suggest that people who want to ensure being able to watch and participate attend the meeting in person.

To access any LIVE Zoom Public Meeting, you must be Registered.  This link will take you to the registration page: https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/boc_dcatgovernance/zoom-video-meeting-schedule.   If you have difficulty logging in, contact DCAT: 603-590-1383.      

*OTHER INFORMATION

1)       Submission of comments in writing.  Send emails and letters to Michael Behrendt, Town Planner, at mbehrendt@ci.durham.nh.us or at the address above. Substantive comments about current board matters, except where the public hearing is closed, will be a) emailed to the board;  b) mailed to the board if received by the Thursday before the meeting or given to members at the meeting if received later; and c) posted on the Town’s website.

Any email, letter, or document that is pertinent to a decision which the Planning Board is expected to make at the upcoming Wednesday meeting, must be received in the Planning Office by the prior Monday at 5:00 p.m. or the board will consider the material only at its discretion (This limitation does not apply to comments made at the public hearing).

2)       Other information.  Files on the agenda items are available for review on the Town website https://www.ci.durham.nh.us/.  Agendas marked “Preliminary Agenda” are subject to change.  The final agenda will be posted on the Friday prior to the meeting. To see documents related to specific items, see the agenda on the website and click on any highlighted items.                                                                

3)       Contacting us.   Call (603) 868-8064 or email Michael Behrendt, above, or Tracey Cutler, Administrative Assistant, at tcutler@ci.durham.nh.us.

4)       Recommended actions.   Actions recommended by the Town Planner are shown above.  The board may or may not take these actions and may take other actions not stated.

5)       10:00 pm.  The board will take up a new item of business after 10:00 pm at its discretion.

6)       Communication aids.  Please provide the Town with 48-hours’ notice if any aids are needed.

7)          Next meeting.  The next regular board meeting will be on June 10, 2026.