SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES September 2, 2026
Members Present: Don Bedard (Chair); Joan Falcao (Vice-Chair); Michele Gammal; Marian Fritz
Others Present: Martha Taylor-Varney, ZA
6:02PM – D. Bedard called the meeting to order.
Changes to the Agenda
No Changes.
Public Comment
No public in attendance.
Old Business – Review and Sign Planning Commission Rules of Procedure
The Commission members finalized edits to the document related to recording meetings.
J. Falcao moved to accept the changes and sign the Rules of Procedure of the South Hero Planning Commission; M. Gammal second. All in favor.
The members signed the document and will receive copies to include in their notebooks.
Review Corrected Pages of the Development Regulations reflecting discussed updates
J. Falcao asked whose responsibility it was to prove the height of the structure. Who picks the points from which it is measured? The regulation for measuring structure height states that the height is measured from the natural grade at the 4 points of the structure – if it is square or rectangular – or more if there are additional corners to the building. It is not the Zoning Administrator’s responsibility to determine the height. It is the Applicant’s responsibility. D. Bedard will submit an updated Figure 2.1 to accompany the text, illustrating the process. There was additional discussion concluding that only licensed engineers or surveyors can certify building’s height if it becomes necessary.
J. Falcao moved to approve the ‘Measuring Height’ in Sec 206.B, the definition of “As Built Certification” in Article 10, and the definition of “Natural Grade” also in Article 10; M. Fritz second. All in favor.
Commission Chair D. Bedard left the meeting. J. Falcao continued the meeting as Vice-Chair.
Approve Meeting Minutes of August 19, 2026
M. Gammal moved to approve the minutes of August 19, 2026, with additions; M. Fritz second. All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
- The move to the new Town Office may affect scheduling of Planning Commission meetings. The Commission agreed to cancel the November 4 meeting. M. Gammal will be away on November 18. The members will continue the discussion at the September 16 meeting.
- Martha reported on the Zoning Roundtable hosted by NRPC on August 20. Discussion included Agriculture regs and regulating short-term rentals.
- The Vermont League of Cities and Town’s Fall Planning and Zoning seminar will be in Montpelier on Wednesday, September 16. Martha plans to attend. The agenda includes Act 181 implementation in Rutland and Vermont’s Statewide Conservation Law.
Announcements
Meeting House – no report
Town Office Committee – Construction continues to be on schedule. The Boardroom in the current Town Office will be used as a staging area before the move, so committee and board meetings may have to be scheduled elsewhere soon.
Lavin Property – J. Falcao reported on the Wastewater Committee meeting held on Monday. She said that the Committee intends to recommend to the Selectboard that the wastewater service area be only on the Lavin property. There was additional conversation about how the Town would fund further development of the property.
Adjournment
7:13PM – M. Gammal moved to adjourn; M. Fritz 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 indicate.