SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES October 21, 2026
Members Present: Don Bedard (Chair); Michele Gammal; Marian Fritz
Member Absent: Joan Falcao (Vice-Chair)
Others Present: Martha Taylor-Varney, ZA
6:00PM – D. Bedard called the meeting to order.
Changes to the Agenda
No Changes
Public Comment
There was no public.
Old Business
- Figure 2.2 (Measuring Setbacks) – Review new drawing: Bedard gave the members a proposed updated drawing showing setback distance. Should a balcony be added to the drawing? The PC agreed that the median level of the lake (95.5’) should be shown so the drawing would show the lake setback, where applicable. The proposed drawing shows the structure from above, so the edges of the eaves are visible rather than the walls. The updated regulations will measure to the wall instead of the eaves. Add excluding eaves” to the drawing or use a 3D drawing instead. D. Bedard will combine aspects from this drawing with the 3D drawing that was proposed earlier by David Roy, then send to the other members for their review.
- Planning for Upcoming Review Process for Approval of the Updated Development Regulations – The Commission will next meet on January 3, 2027 to review the complete edited document. On January 17, 2027, the Commission will finalize the report of proposed changes that will be presented at the Planning Commission public hearing. That hearing is scheduled for February 3, 2027 at the new Town Office. To meet required procedure, this hearing will be warned in the Islander on January 14, 2027. If there are no significant changes to the proposed updates at the PC public hearing, the Selectboard public hearing will be held after Town Meeting and the Board’s March 8, 2027 reorganization meeting (no date confirmed yet).
Approve Meeting Minutes from October 7, 2027
M. Gammal moved to approve the minutes of October 7, 2026; M. Fritz second. All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
-This will be the last meeting of the Planning Commission until January 6, 2027.
-Martha will be working remotely in December from the 10th to the 22nd. Phone messages to the office will be forwarded to her computer.
Announcements
- Meeting House – CIDER and the Town of South Hero are in initial discussions for partnering to use the Meeting House as a Senior Center for several hours a week.
- Town Office – the move to the new Town Office building will be the week of November 16th. The office will be closed throughout that week and will reopen in the new location on Monday, November 23rd. The November 3rd general election will be at the Congregational Church on South St.
- Lavin Property Planning Committee – The Commission members discussed development options that are being considered for the property, including recreation, water availability, housing, trails, and wastewater. The committee is scheduling another public meeting, date TBA.
The next meeting will be January 6, 2027 at 6PM.
Adjournment
7:09PM – M. Fritz moved to adjourn; M. Gammal second. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Taylor-Varney, ZA
Signed: _______________________________________ Date: ______________________
For the Planning Commission
These minutes are not official until approved at the next regularly scheduled meeting. All motions were unanimous unless otherwise indicated.