Planning Commission

SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES                                          September 15, 2021

 

Members Present: Doug Patterson (Chair); Sandy Gregg (Vice-Chair); Michele Gammal; George Harwood (via Zoom).

Member Absent: David Roy

Public Present: Tim Maxham; Ross Brown; Bob Fireovid; Lynnette Claudon, VT DEC (via Zoom); Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA).

 

6:00 PM – D. Patterson call the meeting to order.

 

Changes to the Agenda

1. Patterson requested adding discussion re adding an exemption to the Regulations for accessibility structures.

 

Public Comment

There was none.

 

Continue Discussion of 9/1/21 VT DEC presentation on wastewater planning and assessment in South Hero

Lynnette Claudon explained that there are usually more than on project to build out over time.  A ‘Community Wastewater System’ is generally for a village or larger area.  It’s up to each community.  It could be town-wide if there is funding available.  Most funds are designated f or village centers.  She encourages communities to send out surveys to gauge the interest.  Because South Hero is an “unsewered village” improves chances that funding could be available.  Using Highgate’s recent funding award as an example, it was recommended that South Hero request 25% more than Highgate received.  Highgate’s study centered on the village core, designated village center, and a couple of neighborhoods.

Lynnette explained that the grant application process will include:

1. Set up a budget with NRPC and apply for funding.
2. Develop a contract with NRPC.
3. Once funds are available, find an engineer to conduct the study.

Lynnette explained that, after studies are completed, most projects have not been able to follow through.  Additional Federal funds are available to improve opportunities to complete projects.

Discussion included whether the study should just be for the villages, or should it be Town-wide?  Ross Brown stated that conducting a wastewater study may put the Town in a better position for funds to improve the Town’s drinking water.  S. Gregg will contact Greta Brunswick at NRPC to get an outline of the next steps.  A wastewater committee will assist in continuing this study.  Several members of the community have already expressed interest in participating.

 

 

2023 Town Plan – Municipal Planning Grant

The Selectboard agreed at their September 13, 2021 meeting to include funding in the 2023 budget for the required 2023 Town Plan Update in case a municipal planning grant is not awarded.  SB Chair David Carter will be the Authorizing Official for this grant application.  Greta Brunswick of NRPC has been designated the grant writer in GEARS (the State grant website).  S. Gregg will start the application process by reviewing the questions and sending the PC members a sample application.  Greta will put the PC’s answers into submittal form.  Sandy recommended that the Commission focus on a theme and asked the members to review the Town’s 2015 Town Plan and the current Town of Berlin Plan before the next meeting.  The application deadline is October 31, 2021.

 

Weekend in the Islands (Oct. 9-10) update

Michele Gammal told the Commission that the plans are going well.  There will be 33 businesses participating.  Karen McCloud is designing the map.  Three signs promoting the event will be placed on Town land.  IS there a link on the Town website?  The Commission suggested requesting that the Selectboard include funds for a donation to the event in the next budget if the weekend is a success.

 

Accessibility Waiver

1. Patterson and Bob Buermann (Town rep to NRPC) suggest that a waiver be allowed exempting the need for a building permit for accessibility structures, including ramps, elevators, etc. These structures would be exempt from setback requirements. ZA Martha Taylor Varney suggested that a permit application be submitted so the Town is aware of the structure, but that no permit fee be required (similar to that for agricultural structures – although they must meet setback requirements).  This will be put on the October 6^th agenda.  Bob Buermann and Robin Way of CIDER will be invited to attend, if they are available.

 

Meeting Minutes

1. Gregg moved to accept the minutes from September 1, 2021; M. Gammal second. All in favor.

 

Administrator’s Report

There are 5 Mondays in November.  ZA Martha Taylor-Varney will ask the Selectboard if they want to schedule a 5^th Monday meeting with the PC and DRB.

 

Adjournment

6:55PM – S. Gregg moved to adjourn; M. Gammal 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.

 

 

SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMISSION MINUTES                              September 1, 2021

 

Combined Planning Commission and Selectboard Meeting

 

Planning Commission Members Present: Sandy Gregg (Vice-Chair); Michele Gammal; George Harwood.

Planning Commission Members absent: Doug Patterson (Chair); David Roy.

Selectboard Members Present: David Carter (Chair); Ross Brown (Vice-Chair); Chuck Hulse; Skip Brown (via Zoom).

Selectboard member absent: Anne Zolotas

Public Present: Bob Fireovid; Bob Buermann; Bob and Susan Straight; Ron Phelps; Nate Hayward; Bill Rowe; Lisa Kilcoyne; Peter Zamore; Jim Brightwell (via Zoom); Mike Welch (Via Zoom); Lynnette Claudon – VT DEC (via Zoom).

 

6:00 PM – S. Gregg called the meeting to order.

 

Changes to the Agenda

There were none.

 

Public Comment

There was none.

 

Discussion with Lynnette Claudon of VT DEC on wastewater planning and assessment in S. Hero

Lynnette Claudon, of the VT DEC Water Investment Division presented a PowerPoint presentation to the 2 Boards and members of the public summarizing grant opportunities for infrastructure projects for community wastewater projects.  Over 200 Vermont villages lack sewage treatment facilities.  She stressed that most wastewater solutions will be for small in-ground systems.  Example included municipal systems in Warren, Brownsville, Grafton, and Rochester, VT.  Benefits of Community WASTEWATER Systems include improved water quality, reduced public risks, allows for infill development, may allow for economic development, and the systems are sustainable environmentally and economically.  Keys to successful projects are a strong wastewater committee, completed economic and planning studies, employees to run and manage the system, funding (through grants and loans), and affordability of user rates. Funding options include Engineering Planning Advance loans and Clean Water Revolving Fund loans.

To determine the viability for a system in South Hero, Ms. Claudon recommended that the town do a study.  Funding is available and would not need t be repaid unless a system is actually built.  Discussion included what state policies are driving the need for housing, to keep businesses open, to protect open space, and reduce carbon footprints?  Do these policies affect the State’s decision to award grants?  Of the percentage of Towns that conduct studies, a small number actually go forward.  The rural price tags often scare communities off.  Bob Buermann stated that this a long-term discussion and that it’s time to get data in order to have a kore reasonable discussion.  He encouraged the community to move forward with a feasibility study. Those with additional questions, or for a copy of the PowerPoint presentation or recording of the meeting, contact ZA Martha Taylor-Varney at the Town Office.

 

Meeting Minutes

1. Harwood moved to approve the minutes from the August 18, 2021 meeting; M. Gammal second. All in favor.

 

New/Old Business

1. Gregg had a discussion with Greta Brunswick at NRPC re the 2023 Town Plan. Sandy will start the MPG grant application and will add Greta as a writer.

 

Administrator’s Report

The next meeting will be on September 15, 2021 at 7PM.

 

Adjournment

7:45 PM – G. Harwood moved to adjourn; M. Gammal second.  All in favor.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Martha Taylor-Varney, ZA

 

 

Signed: _________________________________________ Date: ___________________

For the Planning Commission

 

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