SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES August 5, 2026
Members Present: Don Bedard (Chair); Joan Falcao (Vice-Chair); Michele Gammal; Marian Fritz.
Others Present: Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA)
6:02PM – D. Bedard opened the meeting.
Changes to the Agenda
J. Falcao asked the Commission members if they would agree to move the meeting time to 5:30PM, so as not to conflict with events at the library. The members declined and the meeting time will remain at 6PM.
Public Comment
There was no public in attendance.
Welcome New Member – Marian Fritz
M. Fritz told the Board that she was looking forward to working with the group. Her 3-year term was approved by the Selectboard at their July 27, 2026 meeting. There is still one remaining open seat on the Commission.
Continue Review of Proposed Updated Pages for the Development Regulations
In addition to simplified updates for measuring building height and setbacks submitted by D. Bedard, the Commission has also received draft updates from the Development Review Board. The Commission expressed a desire to apply a ‘happy medium’ of both, clarifying the language but avoiding long explanations that will add so much to the document that the format will be changed dramatically. A definition of “natural grade” will instead be added to the definitions in Article 10, while removing the definition there of “average natural grade.” There was discussion about the definition of “as-built certification” (included in the DRB’s draft) related to certifying building heights by surveyor or engineer. This, too, will be added to definitions in Article 10. These changes to the draft document will be added for the next PC meeting on August19. J. Falcao questioned using “top of the roof” rather than “top of the structure” in the definition of measuring height. The members agreed that “roof” was appropriate. D. Bedard will make corrections to Figure 2.2 (Measuring Height) in the Regulations to reflect the draft changes.
Approve Minutes from Regular PC Meeting July 15, 2026
J. Falcao moved to approve the minutes of July 15, 2026, with corrections; M. Fritz second. All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
M. Taylor-Varney gave the Commission members a copy of an email from Vermont Community Development that listed the recent Community Development Block Grants awarded in Vermont. These may give the commission ideas of the type of proposals that could possibly receive grants here in South Hero.
Announcements
- Meeting House – According to a Meeting House Committee member, the Meeting House will be moved back onto its new foundation in late August.
- Town Office – Heavy rain earlier in the summer put the schedule 3 to 4 days behind, but the move-in date is still this fall (late October/early November).
- Lavin Property Planning Committee – A Lavin Property Visioning Workshop is planned for August 18 from 6 to 8PM at the Folsom School gym.
Adjournment
7:34PM — M. Fritz 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.