SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES March 19, 2025
Members Present: David Roy (Chair); Don Bedard (Vice-Chair); Michele Gammal (via Zoom); Joan Falcao; Brooke Scott
Others Present: Guy Maguire (South Hero Land Trust); Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA)
6:01PM – D. Roy called the meeting to order.
Changes to the Agenda
Move agenda item #3 later in the meeting after Guy Maguire arrives.
Old Business
- Additional Discussion – Future South Hero Land-Use Maps 9re Act 181) with NRPC, re Feb. 5 Discussion with Catherine Dmitruk; Plan Public Meeting: The public meeting will be held during the PC’s April 2, 2025 meeting, at 6PM. Catherine Dimitruk will attend to help answer questions. The Commission members suggested sending invitations to landowners whose property is within the radius shown on the proposed NRPC maps in South Hero and Keeler Bay villages. Should a notice of the meeting be published in the Islander? It would need to be in the March 27 issue. The PC reviewed Falcao’s draft of a submittal to Front Porch Forum that will explain Act 181 and the proposed land-use maps recommended by Northwest Regional Planning Commission. The public is invited to the April 2nd meeting.
New Business
Guy Maguire (South Hero Land Trust): The discussion centered on the Town’s purchase of the Lavin property and possible walkable/bike uses. The South Hero Recreation Commission, in partnership with the Land Trust, has identified areas for possible trail connections between the school and the library. Guy said that these could also be alternate routes to South St. bike and pedestrian routes. Some trail designs through the property were done years ago but are no longer relevant. Would the Town be interested in new plans? The Land Trust would be happy to partner on this as they have some rough ideas. Start with a mowed path? Should the Commission plan a site visit later in the spring or summer with the Rec Commission and Land Trust? What are the Town’s goals for the property? There are some invasive species – honeysuckle, buckhorn, wild parsnip – but there is not much conservation value to the property.
Old Business
- Continue Discussion of Definition of “Average Natural Grade” and “Pre-Construction Elevation”: The Commission members reviewed and suggested edits to a first draft of a definition of “building height” by Roy. He will bring a second draft to the next meeting. J. Falcao had emailed Greta Brunswick at NRPC asking for clarification on the definitions of average natural grade and pre-construction elevation [pre-construction elevation is included in the definition of average natural grade in Article 10 of the South Hero Development Regulations]. Greta responded with the definitions from South Burlington’s regulations. It was decided that natural grade is the grade existing on property before construction, filling, or excavation. The pre-construction grade is the grade shown on the survey or site plan submitted to the DRB during review. The Commission will add a definition for pre-construction grade to Article 10 when the regulations are next updated. The discussion will continue at the next meeting.
Approve Minutes
- Falcao moved to approve the minutes of February 19, 2 025, with corrections; D. Bedard second. All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
-The Hazard Mitigation Plan committee will meet on Thursday, March 20 at 11AM.
Announcements
- Meeting House – no report
- Town Office Committee – no report
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at 6PM.
Adjournment
7:32PM – J. Falcao moved to adjourn; M. Gammal second. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Taylor-Varney, ZA
Signed: _____________________________ Date: ______________________
For the Planning Commission
These minutes are unofficial until the next regularly scheduled meeting. All motions were unanimous unless otherwise indicated.