March 4, 2026 PC Minutes

SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES                                     March 4, 2026

 

Members Attending: David Roy (Chair); Don Bedard (Vice-Chair); Joan Falcao; Brooke Scott; Michele Gammal (via Zoom).

Others Present: Matt Jensen; Anne Zolotas (via Zoom); Emily Klofft (NRPC); Bob Fireovid (via Zoom); Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA)

 

6:00PM – D. Roy called the meeting to order.

 

Changes to the Agenda

New Business will be moved before Old Business.

 

Public Comment

There was none.

 

New Business

 – Emily Klofft of Northwest Regional Planning Commission to discuss Act 181 and HOME Act related changes to the Development Regulations:  Emily explained to the Board that the Development Regulations need to be updated to reflect Act 181 and HOME Act requirements passed by the Legislature in 2024 and 2025.  All references to Accessory Dwelling Units and Multi-Family Dwellings are already included in the January 1, 2024 updated Regulations.  Language on Hotels and Emergency Shelters need to be added under Sec. 707 (Public Facilities).  Additions under By Right Development Review will be attached to Sec. 302.D (Review Standards for Conditional Use). Hearing deadlines and a new definition of “interested parties” will be added to Section 804 (Zoning Permit Issuance and Public Notice).  Parking space dimensions are all now to be 9’x18’ no matter the orientation, and a reference to existing non-conforming spaces will be allowed in residential uses only (Sec. 603).  Rules for On-Farm Businesses are now less restrictive.  All of these changes will reference the particular Vermont statute and may not be fully defined in the Regulations.  Additional discussion included whether to add a definition for short-term rentals to Article 10 (definitions).

 

Anne Zolotas asked how Tier 3 will affect South Hero, and when will we see the maps? Emily explained that Tier 3 increases Act 250 jurisdiction and that the Vermont Land Use Review Board is reviewing the draft rule now.  Anne said that there is a lot of pushback locally to Tier 3 because of the requirement for Act 250 review. She is opposed to Tier 3 in South Hero.  She also expressed concern about the proposed “800-ft Rule” and if it would there be an exemption for farms?

[definition — The 800-foot rule in Vermont’s Act 250 is a provision that triggers Act 250 review for the construction of a single private road longer than 800 feet or a network of combined roads and driveways greater than 2,000 feet. This rule is designed to encourage clustered site design and prevent the fragmentation of natural resource areas. It is part of a broader effort to manage development impacts and protect sensitive ecosystems. The rule is expected to take effect on July 1, 2024, and is part of a larger transformation of Act 250 to address the housing crisis in Vermont.]

Emily stated that farms are exempt from this rule.  RAPs (required agricultural practices) apply instead.

 

–Review Proposed Updated Pages to the Development Regulations:

Confirm new language for ‘Measuring Setbacks’; correct Table 2.2 (accessory Dwelling setbacks).

 

Old Business

Insert new Figure 2.1 (Measuring Height) sent by D. Roy.

 

Approve Minutes of Feb. 4, 2026

D. Bedard moved to approve the minutes of February 4, 2026, with typo correction); J. Falcao second. All in favor.

 

Administrator’s Report

1. Martha attended the February 19 webinar on the new CHIP program (Community Housing Infrastructure Program). Joan Falcao and Skip Brown (Selectboard) also attended.  Martha will forward the Power Point form the presentation to the Commission members.  There will be additional seminars in the upcoming months.
2. Martha will be attending the Vermont Community Development Spring Conference in Montpelier on April 15. Presentations will include 802Homes, CHIP, and the latest Act 250 reforms.

 

Announcements

-Meeting House: the Meeting House began a conditional use and site plan review before the Development Review Board on February 28^th.  The hearing will continue on May 13^th.  Plans continue for repairing the foundation, and mitigating lead and asbestos in the structure and surrounding soil this spring.

-Town Office: the old Rescue building will be demolished soon and construction of the new building is slated to begin in April.

-Lavin property planning committee: An organizational meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 12 at 5:30 at the Town Office.

-South Hero Scoping Study – Featherbed Lane/RT 2 area: the committee is waiting for the final report.

 

Adjournment

7:38 PM — D. Bedard moved to adjourn; J. Falcao second.  All in favor.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Martha Taylor-Varney, ZA

 

 

Signed: ____________________________ Date: _______________________

For the Planning Commission

 

These minutes are unofficial until approved at the next regularly scheduled meeting.                 All motions were unanimous unless otherwise indicated.