Planning Commission Minutes
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May 14, 2007
Present:
Rick Smith (Chair), Rob Barker, Bill Brooks, A. Jay Kenlan, Bill Scranton, Bob
Soule, John West, Missy Whitmore.
Guests:
Bill Lohsen, Sue Duskiewicz, Anne Miller, Dennis Smith, Clarice & Robin
Best, Warren Allen, Pat Callahan Smith, Cindy Wade, Kim & Tom Phillips
Call
to Order: Rick Smith called the meeting to order at
1. Review and approval
of the meeting minutes from April 9 and April 30.
Bill
Scranton moved approval of the April 9 minutes. Bob Soule seconded. A couple of
changes.
Under
item 4, last sentence – Mr Phillips will present his case at a
future meeting.
Under
item 5, last sentence – Jay Kenlan will write a letter to Ed Crelin with a
copy to the Selectboard responding to Ed
Crelin’s comments under item 2 of the minutes of the April 9 meeting. Minutes
approved as amended 8-0.
Jay
Kenlan moved approval of the April 30 minutes. Missy Whitmore seconded. Jay
wanted to clarify part of his motion to approve the Keeler permit to say
“…with the condition that they check with the neighbors when putting up the
outdoor lights to ensure they aren’t shining directly
into the neighbors properties.” Minutes approved as amended 8-0.
2. VTel - Zoning Permit
Application - Site Plan Approval
Tom
Emerson, the contractor for the project, said that the intention is to add a
truss roof over the existing flat roof and add a porch to the south side
entrance which the roof would also cover. The entire structure would then be
sided with cedar clapboards. It was noted by PC members that the side set-back
in the ARR district is 50 feet and they should ensure that the southeast corner
of the added porch stays within this dimension. Ms. Best raised the concern that
the VTel office was beginning to look industrial, especially with the employees
parking on the front lawn. PC members noted that VTel would be considered a
public utility, which is an allowed conditional use in the ARR zone. Mr. Emerson
surmised that the only place that parking might be added would be at the back
(east) of the lot and would require fill to bring it up to grade.
Jay
Kenlan made a motion to approve the site plan with the condition that if fill is
added for parking that they ensure that they do not fill in the flood plain or
flood way. This does not constitute approval to fill. It is recommended that
they check with the appropriate state agencies to ensure they are not filling in
the flood areas. Motion carried 8-0.
3.
Tom Phillips – Town Plan and Pit Reclamation
(Jay Kenlan and Missy Whitmore recused themselves)
Tom
Phillips started his presentation with a brief history of how he acquired the
three acre parcel adjacent to the existing “pit” and mentioned that the
footbridge project (which will cross the river at the southwest corner of the
ball fields, behind the second ball diamond) is scheduled for 2008. He is
looking for a letter of support from the Planning Commission to take to the Act
250 committee that reclamation of the pit area conforms to the Town Plan. He
gave out highlighted copies of the Act 250 findings referring to items 58 and 60
and the Town Plan of
Cindy
Wade read a letter addressed to the Planning Commission and Select Board saying
that the two groups should get together in their support of this project.
Currently the situation is dangerous, and recently the fire department (of which
her daughter is a member) had to fight a fire on top of the hill right next to
the edge of the drop off.
Bill
Lohsen said that the current situation was created by the Whitcomb extraction in
the 70’s.
Missy
Whitmore spoke about the need to follow the former reclamation plan for the pit.
Bill
Brooks made a motion that the Planning Commission write a letter saying that the
ultimate reclamation of the area is in conformance with the Town Plan. John West
seconded.
Fire
Chief Warren Allen spoke about the big mess on top of “Strawberry Hill” with
a lot of junk up there. The area should be fenced off or something. It is a
dangerous situation that needs to be cleaned up. His firefighters picked up used
needles at a recent fire and it is dangerous to have to fight fires there with
the junk and drop-off. He agrees with the idea of the Phillips project.
Rob
Barker said he would like to see a public hearing on whether this issue conforms
to the Town Plan. Rick Smith agrees that a public meeting should take place.
Tom
Phillips and Bill Lohsen said that the Act 250 commission asked for
clarification from Town Planners.
Bob
Soule feels that if we write a letter we would over-simplify a complex issue.
Bill
Scranton said he also feels that we need a public hearing to hear all sides and
all citizens.
The
Chairman called for a vote on the motion. The motion failed (Aye: 2, Nay: 4).
Jay
Kenlan spoke about the public hearing process and what the Planning Commission
has to do after hearing all sides. Bob Soule wondered if we really need a public
hearing. Jay Kenlan and Rick Smith said that it helps the Planning Commission
make an informed decision. The Commission asked to see any other information Mr.
Phillips would be including in the Motion to Reconsider with Act 250. No
decision was made about a public hearing.
4. Review of 1-4
Some
discussion took place around the table about the need for a permit form specific
to this purpose. Any division of land needs a state permit for waste water. The
previous form listed a requirement for a surveyed plot plan which was never the
intention of the Planning Commission.
The
form should be renamed “1-4
Item
2 at the bottom under ZA Decision referring to surveyor’s seal should be
eliminated.
Add
a “Form last revised date” at the bottom.
In the section “Prior to approval, please submit the following:”
2. Fee ($50 plus Recording fee)
3.
a. lot frontage, width, depth and acreage
d. abutting properties and names of owners
e. easements, rights-of-way if any, zoning district boundaries if any
f. existing structures, water/wastewater areas
3. g. is eliminated.
5. Executive Session –
Zoning Administrator Interview
The
Planning Commission went into Executive Session at
Jay
Kenlan moved and John West seconded that the Planning Commission recommends Bill
Brooks for the position of Zoning Administrator. Motion carried (7-0, 1
abstain).
6. Adjournment
Motion
to adjourn made by Bill Scranton, seconded by
Meeting
adjourned at
Respectfully
submitted,
Bill Brooks, Acting Clerk