SOUTH HERO DEVELOPMENT REIEW BOARD MINUTES July 24, 2024
Members Present: Tim Maxham (Chair); Doug Patterson (Vice-Chair); Mike Welch
(via Zoom), Jim Brightwell; Liza Kilcoyne; Tim Mullen (Alternate, via Zoom)
Others Present: Mike and Michele Gammal; Bill Lawrence; Yetta and Janet Rushford;
Gretchen Patterson; Stephen and Eileen Worcester; Sue and Doug Heim; Anne Quinn;
Betsy Sangster; Amy Sherman (via Zoom); Dorothy Halligan; Joan Falcao (via Zoom);
Don Bedard; and Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA).
7:00 PM – T. Maxham called the meeting to order.
Changes to the Agenda
There were none.
Public Input
Mike and Michele Gammal asked the Board about a condition of approval related to the
height of their home at 99 Phoebe Lane in Keeler Bay Village [PUD approved by the
DRB in 2020]. T. Maxham told them that the Board cannot act on this tonight, and it will
have to be discussed during a warned hearing.
[Alternate T. Mullen entered the meeting via Zoom]
Minor Subdivision Administrative Review, Lawrence (24-95-RT253)
DRB Vice-Chair Doug Patterson recused himself for this hearing, as he lives on Gifford
Lane.
The warning was read and interested persons sworn it.
ZA Martha Taylor-Varney presented the application to the Board. The proposed
subdivision is of the Lawrence Farm, a 183.24-acre parcel on both sides of RT 2. The
parcel on the north side of RT 2 is a hay field bisected by Gifford Lane. The proposed
subdivision will create 2 residential building lots on the west side of Gifford Lane. The 2
lots will each have driveway access onto Gifford Lane. Lot 1 is 1.02 acres, and Lot 2 is
1 acre. A 50-ft. right-of-way separates proposed Lot 1 from Bittersweet Lane, with Lot 2
abutting to the south. Lot 3 is the remaining land, 181.22 acres. Lot 1 is entirely in the
Shoreland zoning district and Lot 2 is primarily in the Shoreland district, with the
southeast corner in the Rural Residential district. Both zoning districts have the same
minimum setbacks for primary and accessory structures.
Bittersweet Lane provides access to 2 lakefront camps and a lot for lake access
for Corners Bay Condominiums. The lane ends here rather than extending on to the
Lawrence camp. Although having an address of 14 Bittersweet Lane, has been
accessed across family land along the south side of a hedgerow parallel to Bittersweet
Lane. This is now the 50-ft. right-of-way to benefit the Lawrence camp. A 30-ft.
pedestrian lake access benefiting Lots 1 and 2 extends west from their shared boundary
to the 50-ft. ROW, and on to a 15-ft. pedestrian lake access that travels the perimeter of
the Lawrence camp lot to the lake.
Lots 1 and 2 each have their own septic systems and wells. A wastewater
mound easement benefiting Lot 1 extends onto Lot 2 where the mound crosses the
shared boundary. Applications for wastewater and potable water permits for a 4BR
home on each of Lots 1 and 2 have been submitted to the State. A replacement
wastewater and force main easement benefiting the Lawrence camp is in the field
between the new lots and the Lawrence camp. Power will be underground from the
closest utility pole – either in the field south of the Lawrence camp or from poles either
on Bittersweet Lane or on the Corners Bay Condominium lake-access lot. Power
easements will need to be shown on the final plat.
Stephen Worcester asked if the power will be underground. Yes, it will be UG from the
closest pole.
Amy Sherman asked if the 2 new wells will affect the existing wells on Gifford Lane?
That determination comes from the State. The DRB has no jurisdiction over the
wastewater and potable water permits.
Gretchen Patterson asked about the culvert under Gifford Lane. It isn’t shown on the
survey. Can that be put on it? There is one under the road at the north end of Lot 1.
All culverts need to be shown [are there 3?]. Yes, they will be located and shown on the
final plat.
Doug Heim asked who would be responsible for maintaining the culverts? Gifford Lane
is a private road. Is there a road maintenance association? The users of the road will
need to decide this.
Stephen Worcester said that snow melting in the spring creates significant flow across
what will be Lot 1 that will need a trench to direct flow around any house there. L.
Kilcoyne said there will need to be a trench along Gifford Lane to affect flow. The
house on Lot 1 will need to be at an elevation above the flow. Dorothy Halligan (8
Bittersweet Lane) said she had to install French drains around her camp to deal with the
runoff. Doug Patterson suggested roadside ditches on the east side of Gifford Lane.
Buyers of Lot 1 need to be aware of the water flow.
Steve Worcester asked if damage to the road during/after construction will be repaired.
Bill Lawrence said he has the equipment to be able to repair any damage.
T. Maxham asked if there was room to launch a boat at the 15-ft. pedestrian access to
the lake? Nothing large; perhaps only a kayak. The final survey will need to show
contours because of the questions related to runoff. The Board did not waive this
requirement.
8:04PM — T. Maxham closed the hearing.
Amend DRB Decision #23-43-RT75 to Change Features at Mini Golf Course
The warning was read and interested persons sworn in.
Yetta and Janet Rushford, owners of South Hero Adventure Golf, presented to
the Board. The course received conditional use and site plan approval from the Board
is 2023 with the previous owner. The new owners are before the Board to ask only to
change the features, from the previous “steam punk/retro” to features with more of a
Vermont/New England theme. The new features will have the same dimensions and
will only be cosmetic changes. They will include a tractor, an agricultural windmill, a
more realistic “Champ”, Ethan and Ira Allen, a cow, and a hole representing the VT ski
industry (with moguls).
Don Bedard asked when the course would be opening. Yetta Rushford said that the
parking lot cannot be built until Lavin Lane goes in. They are anticipating that
construction will begin in the fall with the course opening next spring.
8:19PM — T. Maxham closed the hearing.
Review of July 10, 2024 Minutes
L. Kilcoyne moved to approve the minutes, as corrected (typo); J. Brightwell second.
All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
Upcoming schedule:
August 14 – Boundary Adjustment/Setback Waiver at 41 Lake Dr. There will be a
6:30PM site visit the same night followed by the hearing at 7PM.
August 28 – Gammal Amendment to SP
So far, there are no hearings scheduled for September.
Adjournment
J. Brightwell moved to adjourn and move to deliberative; L. Kilcoyne second. All in
favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Taylor-Varney, ZA
Signed: _________________________________________ Date:
________________________
For the Development Review Board
These minutes are unofficial until approved at the next regularly scheduled meeting. All motions were
unanimous unless otherwise indicated.