Sanbornton Planning Board rules Caron driveway amendment incomplete, advises applicants to install driveway and file plan

The Sanbornton Planning Board on March 19 ruled an application to amend a previously approved subdivision — removing a shared driveway and providing separate driveways for lots 27-5 and 27-6 — incomplete and rejected the submission as filed.

Chairman Andy Sanborn moved to rule the Caron application incomplete because it lacked a proper map; Jody Slack seconded and the motion passed 5-0-0. Planning Board Assistant Stephen Laurin had told the board the filing was incomplete for that reason.

Applicant Nathan Caron read an email from Christopher R. Berry that he said was meant "to make the record clear, and to make it clear the planning board considered this issue, and there is no ambiguity in the future, the Notice of Decision removing the easement required by the PB should be recorded, and the owner should record an affidavit describing his intent to remove any implied easement rights or obligations created by the former plan." Abutter Judy Stecklen provided background on why an access easement had been established previously following consolidation of driveways among new subdivisions to manage road traffic impacts.

Brandon Deacon, representing the Sanbornton Conservation Commission, suggested eliminating the easement driveway and filing the new driveway plan onto the main plan for future reference. After discussion the board concluded the proposed change likely does not fall under the Planning Board’s jurisdiction as presented and advised the applicants to install the new driveway and then file the revised plan for the record.

The board did not accept the application as submitted; no formal plan approval or change to recorded easements occurred at the meeting. The applicants were advised on next steps and to record whatever Notices or affidavits counsel recommends to clear future ambiguity.