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Planning Board sends revised development regulations to public hearing after editorial fixes, clarifies parking and escrow accounting
Summary
After a page‑by‑page review the board voted to send updated development regulations to a public hearing on Aug. 19; members also directed staff to remove the word “leased” from off‑site parking substitution language and to add escrow accounting/reporting language for applicants.
The Milford Planning Board voted Tuesday to post revised development regulations for a public hearing and directed staff to make a set of editorial and substantive clarifications before formal notice. Peter Besselier moved to send the redlined regulations to a public hearing after the corrections discussed at the meeting; Tina Filbrick seconded the motion and the board voted to advertise the hearing for Aug. 19.
Director of Community Development Camille Patterson opened the discussion by urging the board to finalize the administrative and routine changes so the town could adopt them and then address additional changes that may arise from state legislation. “I don't want to keep delaying it,” she said, asking the board to identify remaining questions before scheduling a public hearing.
Board members worked through a long list of items. Vice chair Janet Langdell pointed to formatting and reference issues — for example, definitions that begin with an RSA citation rather than the defined term — and to inconsistent references to the town’s stormwater rules. Members asked staff to standardize cross references (for example, to “section 4.06” vs. “4.06”) and to correct page numbering and typographical errors before notice.
On parking substitutions, the board debated language allowing use of off‑site public or privately owned parking as a substitute for on‑site spaces. Members were concerned about enforcement if an off‑site private parking agreement later expires. After discussion the board agreed to remove the word “leased” and use “municipal or private parking spaces available” so staff would not be required to collect and track private lease documents; Planning Board member Justin de Montmani noted enforcement will remain complaint‑driven.
The board also resolved to add a clear requirement that applicants receive an accounting of escrowed administrative and consultant fees. After discussion members directed staff to add language stating that, upon completion of the work, the applicant will receive an itemized report and any refund of remaining escrow funds. Camille Patterson said the town will need to ensure staff and accounting procedures can produce the report.
Other topics discussed included stormwater permitting references (board members asked staff to change inconsistent uses of “stormwater management ordinance” vs. “stormwater management permit/plan”), accessory dwelling unit (ADU) sizing where state legislation may change allowable square footage, and several editorial fixes. The board heard that advertising in the Milford cabinet costs about $220 per legal notice and agreed to proceed.
Why it matters: The revisions update local development rules and would affect applications for site plans, stormwater reviews, parking substitutions and fee escrows. The board’s decisions on parking language and escrow accounting clarify administrative expectations for applicants and staff oversight.
Next steps: Staff will make the fixes discussed at the July 15 meeting, prepare the public‑hearing notice and publish the legal advertisement; the public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 19, 2025.
