Selectboard Minutes
Regular Meeting of August 27, 2018
South Hero Town Hall, Monday 7:00 PM
Board Members Present: Jonathan Shaw, Skip Brown (also Board Secretary), David Carter, Anne Zolotas
Board Members Not Present: Sharon Roy
Others Present: Janet Yates, Town Clerk & Martha Taylor-Varney Admin. Assistant/ZA
1. Called to Order:
-The meeting was called to order by Chairman Shaw at 7:00 pm.
2. Adjustment to Agenda:
-none
3. Minutes:
-David Carter made a motion to accept the minutes of the meeting of August 13, 2018 as written. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
4. Public input:
A. Doug Patterson of the PC recommends to the Board that ZA Martha Taylor-Varney continues for a 3 year term.
5. New Business:
A. Robert Ostermeyer of Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) which oversees the Franklin/Grand Isle Community Action (F/GICA) was present to discuss what his organization does, as their mission “is to address fundamental issues of economic, social and racial justice and to work with low-income people to achieve economic independence”. He feels that Grand Isle County is somewhat underserved and he wants to make the resources know, that include: emergency food shelf, housing/rent assistance, heating help, navigating some social services available. A brochure will be available in Town Hall and their office is in St. Albans.
B. The Planning Commission (PC) has recommended that there be a sign ordinance rather than have the rules included in the new zoning regulations. This way, if changes will be considered in the future, it will be easier to make modifications. A hard copy draft with discussion points can be seen in Town Hall filed with these minutes or on www.southherovt.org. Some possible recommendations were made and will be discussed at a future meeting.
6. Administrative Assistant Report:
A. A written report was submitted. A hard copy with discussion points can be seen in Town Hall filed with these minutes or on www.southherovt.org.
B. To date, one letter of interest for the open Planning Commission spot have been received. The applicant will attend a future PC meeting.
C. Martha recommends that there be a fee of $150.00 be established for sketch plan reviews, as there is work involved to warn and set up the meetings. Currently, if the applicant does not follow through, then there is no payment. Said fee would be credited to the final fees if the process continues.
7. Old and Ongoing Business:
A. The Island Craft Shop Cooperative is interested in possibly renting the former Rescue Building. They submitted a proposal about leasing the space at the last meeting. The consensus of the Board is that this will be a good use for the building rather than have it sit empty. The Craft Shop will have to go before the DRB, as there will be a change of use. A possible move in date will be April of 2019. More information will be had at a future meeting.
B. Regarding White’s Beach, the consensus of the Recreation Commission, as well as the Board, is that there needs to be an ordinance to control the area.
Some possible items for an ordinance are:
-No parking without a parking sticker along West Shore Rd. from Hall Rd. to Lakeview Rd. This will apply from Memorial weekend-September 30. No limit on the number of resident stickers and possibly allow some limited number of stickers for non-residents. Sticker fees to be determined.
-Ban dogs entirely from the grass area and swimming area from Memorial Weekend-Sept. 30. Delineate where the no dog beach/sand area really is so the area is better defined.
-No firearms.
-No smoking.
-No glass containers.
-No camping.
-Carry garbage in/carry garbage out.
-Consider closing the “boat launch” area to power boats in July and August except for emergency service boats and ban parking in front of it at all times, sticker or not.
-Set a ticket/fine schedule so the ordinance is enforceable by the Sheriff or designated parties.
Keep in mind that these are preliminary discussion items to consider, and the Recreation Commission along with the Board will hold a public hearing when a draft of a possible ordinance is fully developed.
8. Announcements and Communications:
A. none this meeting
9. Other Business:
A. Anne Zolotas made a motion to sign orders 19-04 and pay the bills associated with this order. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
B. There will be an advertisement posted for new Animal Control Officer.
10. Adjournment:
-Skip Brown made a motion to adjourn 9:15 pm. The motion was seconded, all in attendance so voted and the motion carried.
Respectfully submitted, Approved by,
_______________________________ ________________________________
Graham Brown Jonathan Shaw, Chair
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DRAFT SIGN ORDINANCE
Town of South Hero
Draft #4 8/16/18
Allowed signs fall into two categories: 1. Permitted Signs (signs which are allowed AND require a Sign
Permit); 2. Exempt Signs (signs which are allowed and do NOT require a Sign Permit).
Changing the size, shape, color, location, or illumination of allowed signs requires a Sign Permit. When
signs that are not in compliance with the requirements of this ordinance are replaced, the replacement
sign must comply with the requirements of this ordinance.
Listed below are the types, quantities, sizes, locations, and other requirements for both Permitted and
Exempt signs. All other signs are prohibited.
1. Permitted Signs.
A. Permanent Business Signs. Permanent business signs must comply with the requirements of
this ordinance. Each business property containing one or more businesses is allowed: a) one free
standing sign not to exceed forty (40) square feet per side; b) each business is allowed one wall-mounted
sign – either mounted on the surface of the building wall and not exceeding twenty (20) square feet, or,
one hanging sign hung perpendicular to the building wall not to exceed six (6) square feet; c) each
business is allowed one door sign not to exceed four (4) square feet.
a.) Illuminated signage specifications: Lighting shall be directed downward onto the sign and
be shielded to prevent glare, distraction, or hazard to the surrounding area or to vehicular
traffic. Internally lit signage is prohibited.
b.) Off premise Signs: any sign located elsewhere than upon the lot containing the subject of the
sign must conform to State statute and regulation for off-premise signs. (V.S.A. Title 10)
c.) Signs at Edge of Roads and Highways: In any zoning district free-standing signs are limited
to eight (8) feet in height or less and must be placed within any required setback area.
Intersection sight distance(s) must be provided so that drivers approaching an intersection
have an unobstructed view of the intersection and any traffic control devices along the
intersecting streets in order to anticipate and minimize potential conflicts. Intersections
include all cases where two (2) streets intersect and/or where driveways intersect streets.
Signs must not be located within 15 feet of adjacent private property or intersection.
Should compliance be impossible the applicant may request a waiver from the Select
Board.
B. Development Signs. One construction sign, advertising or indicating a subdivision or residential
development, is allowed at the entrance of the project. It may contain the name of the General
Contractor and the Subcontractors. The sign shall not exceed 32 square feet per side and shall be
promptly removed when construction is complete.
C. Permanent Subdivision or Development Signs. One permanent sign indicating a subdivision or
residential development is allowed and must be no larger than 15 square feet per side.
2. Exempt Signs: the following are allowed provided they conform to the General Standards and are
not placed in the right-of-way.
A. Temporary signs (unlighted, and not to exceed six (6.0) square feet per side) are allowed for the
purpose of advertising premises for sale or rent, items for sale, or to identify subcontractors.
Signs remaining in place for more than six (6) months are not considered to be temporary.
Temporary signs must be on the property that is advertising.
B. Signs on public roads erected by the State or Town.
C. Public or Community Event Signs – Temporary signs or banners advertising public or community
events can be displayed in designated locations on Town property with the prior permission of
the Select Board, but must be removed within 3 days following the event.
D. Official business directional signs and non-advertising signs for directional, safety or public
service purposes provided they are in conformance with State Statute (V.S.A.Title 10, Chapter
21).
E. One residential sign per dwelling unit identifying the occupant, not to exceed two (2.0) square
feet in area; and residential flags or banners intended solely for ornamental or non-advertising
purposes.
F. Legal Signs conveying legal warnings relating to the property on which they are posted, such as
those related to trespassing and hunting.
G. Election Signs – Temporary election signs to be posted and removed in accordance with State
Law. (V.S.A.Title 10, Chapter 21).
H. Retail Window signs, as long as they do not to exceed 30% of the window area.
I. Bulletin boards or similar displays for announcing community affairs.
J. House numbers.
K. Temporary Public Notices in accordance with State Law.
3. General Standards.
A. No sign shall be designed, constructed, or positioned, which constitutes a hazard to public safety.
This includes sandwich board signs.
B. Signs in all zoning districts shall have no internal illumination and may only be illuminated by a
downward-directed, shielded, continuous, non-flashing external light. Direction and shielding of
lighting shall be such that it illuminates only the sign and does not cause undue glare, impair the
vision of drivers of motor vehicles, or illuminate neighboring properties
C. Signs shall have no moving or animated parts or displays, with the exception of traffic control
devices in public rights of way erected by the State or Town.
D. Free standing signs shall not exceed eight(8) feet in height, as measured from the average grade
of the ground to the top of the sign.
E. All signs shall be maintained to stay in a secure and safe condition. If the Zoning Administrator
determines that a sign is not secure, safe or in good state of repair, a written warning and/or
notice may be issued with a request that any defect in the sign shall be removed or repaired by its
owner or permittee within thirty (30) days of notification. If the sign is not repaired or removed
within the specified period, The Zoning Administrator may have the sign removed at the owner’s
or permittee’s expense.
F. Signs are only allowed in a setback area. No sign may be placed in the road right of way.
G. Wall signs that extend above the eave, and roof signs, are not allowed.
H. Pedestrian Clearance: Adequate pedestrian clearance must be taken into account.
4. Non-Conforming Signs SELECT BOARD: Select Option
Signs legally existing at the adoption date of this ordinance, but which do not conform to the provisions
of this ordinance, shall be considered non-conforming signs.
Option 1: A non-conforming sign may remain in place until removed, resurfaced, relocated, or altered in
any way including any change in text, logo, color. Lighting must be in conformance to this ordinance.
Option 2:All non-conforming signs shall have a grace period of 3 years to come into compliance.
5. Administration, Interpretation, and Enforcement
A. This ordinance shall be administered, interpreted, and enforced pursuant to the provisions of Title 24
V.S.A. Chapter 117, as well as 24 V.S.A. Sections 1974a and 1977 for enforcement purposes, as
exists or as hereafter amended.
B. Permits, Plans, Fees, and Inspections
1). No sign shall be erected, altered, or relocated without a Sign Permit from the Zoning
Administrator.
2). Application(s) for signs shall be accompanied by detailed plans and specifications, including
sign colors, lighting details, and any other information as the Zoning Administrator may
require.
3). Sign Permit Fees shall be established by the Select Board by resolution and a copy of the fee
schedule shall be posted in the Town Office and made available to each applicant upon
request. Sign permit application fees shall be paid upon submission of the plans to the Zoning
Administrator.
4). Any sign may be inspected periodically by a representative of the Select Board for
compliance or any other requirements of law.
6. Violations & Penalties
Failure to comply with this ordinance shall result in: a warning letter from the Select Board stating the
sign owner has 10 business days to meet with the Zoning Administrator with plans for coming into
compliance. Compliance must be completed within 30 days after approval from the Zoning
Administrator. It is the sign owners responsibility to notify the Select Board of compliance.
Failure to come into compliance will result in fines as adopted by the Select Board:
$100 fine for first offense.
After 30 days an additional fine of $100 per week will be assessed until the sign comes into
compliance.