SOUTH HERO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD MINUTES February 22, 2017
Members Present: T. Maxham; D. Patterson; R. Brown; N. Hayward; G. Hunt; S. Corbin; L. Kilcoyne (Alternate)
Member Absent: P. Delano
Public Present: Mike Donoghue (Islander); Hattie Johnson (Camp Ta-Kum-Ta); Rich Gardner (Camp Ta-Kum-Ta); Patrick Gallivan (Camp Ta-Kum-Ta); Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA).
7:00 PM – T. Maxham called the meeting to order.
Changes to the Agenda
There were no changes.
Camp Ta-Kum-Ta request for Site Plan Review – Application 17-48-SV077
The warning was read, introductions made, and the oath administered. T. Maxham asked the members to introduce themselves. Camp Ta-Kum-Ta was represented by Hattie Johnson, Rich Gardner, and Patrick Gallivan. Hattie explained to the Board that the structures marked in blue on the Site Plan are existing and the structures and development marked in yellow are proposed. Proposed development is designated parking for staff to be located in front of and adjacent to the garage at the Lodge, 12 additional spots on the grass along the drive located just to the south of the Security Building, 12 additional spots to the south of Grace’s Playhouse, parking for 50 cars immediately south of the Activities Center, a slight relocation of a gravel drive to allow for the addition on the west side of the Activities Center, and a ‘splash pad’ connected to the existing swimming pool. Additional proposed structures are the 24’x24’ addition onto the Activities Center for the storage of lawn maintenance equipment, a pool house, and a pavilion by the Lodge to replace the currently-used tent for meals and events during the camp week in the summer. Specifics to the proposed development include:
- The road behind the Activities Center will be bumped out “a few feet” to allow for the construction of the storage shed. This road location is to prevent traffic from having to go through the cabin village.
- The Pavilion will replace a 40’x80’ tent used for meals and special events during camp week. It will be a safer alternative during storms and high wind. It will be open-sided with sides that can be lowered during inclement weather. The tent had been located in front (west) of the Lodge, parallel to that structure. The proposed Pavilion will be in the same location but placed perpendicular to the Lodge.
- Additional parking is needed for special events and for parents dropping off children for the summer camp week.
- There is a 100-car parking area south of the chapel for use by staff and volunteers during the summer Camp week only. These cars remain and are not moved until Camp week is finished.
- Current designated parking for 100 cars is in the field at the entrance to the camp on Sunset View Rd. Muddy conditions, distance, and/or activities outside of the summer camp season have occasionally made this area difficult to use.
- The proposed 50-car lot on the south side of the Activities Center will be available for year-round use during special events held at the camp. It will not be in use during camp week. This may be a location for bus pick-up for field trips during camp.
- 3 parking spaces in front of the Lodge’s garage, and 4 spaces across the drive will be for daily use by year-round Camp staff and for temporary use during special events.
- The pool house was on the original 2009 Site Plan but had not been included in previous building permits from the Town. It is now ready to be built.
- The splash pad will be for use by campers who are unable to use the regular swimming pool. There is no immediate schedule for construction but approval now as part of the site plan will allow for construction in the future.
- The Camp hosts special events throughout the year, including winter camp weekends once a month and the South Hero Players at the Activities Center in the spring. Camp Ta-Kum-Ta is considered a year-round, but not full-time, facility and received prior conditional use approval to operate for 200 days/year.
- Hattie Johnson stated that Act 250, wastewater, and storm-water permits will need to be amended.
The presented Site Plan showed no additional grading for roads or land development (sports courts, swimming pool, or parking). D. Patterson was concerned about storm-water run-off. Hattie stated that the Storm-water Permit will need to be amended. T. Maxham expressed concern about the grading required for the proposed 50-car lot and whether it will require fill, the parking configuration, and if any lighting was proposed for this lot.
Martha suggested a waiver request from some requirements of the Development Regulations in Section 305, in particular — existing structures and access points on adjacent properties, the requirement to show south and east property boundaries, small-scale landscaping, elevations of structures, and estimates of daily and peak hour traffic generated. The Board agreed. The request for waiver will be submitted at the next meeting.
- Corbin recommended there be parking staff available during special events. D. Patterson requested a list of the number of cars and the parking requirements for special events throughout the year.
- Corbin requested that all improvements be included on the Site Plan. Additions to the Site Plan will include:
- Show contour lines for existing development and for proposed development.
- Show existing lighting in the cabin village and anywhere else it may exist.
- Show parking layout for all proposed parking areas using current 9×20 space dimensions.
- Note that all roads are gravel and stone.
- Add dimensions of proposed structures.
- Show entire road as it loops behind the chapel, and include seasonal camp staff parking.
- Show road all the way to the entrance on Sunset View Rd.
- Show road to the west boundary of the property.
- Show all improvements to the property since the original Site Plan was approved in 2009.
Additional discussion included the size and visibility of the Camp’s sign at the entrance on Sunset View Rd. Also discussed was the road leading to the western boundary of the property, use by the previous owners of the property to access their farm parcel on West Shore Rd. The camp does not have a ROW to use the continuation of this road to access West Shore Rd.
7:55PM – S. Corbin moved to conduct a site visit on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 11AM; R. Brown second. All in favor.
7:59PM – S. Corbin moved to recess the hearing to March 8, 2017 at 7PM; L. Kilcoyne second. All in favor.
Meeting Minutes
- Patterson moved to accept the minutes from January 25, 2017; N. Hayward second. All in favor. Martha signed the minutes for Paula Delano.
Public Input
There was none.
Administrator’s Report
-There was discussion on the upcoming schedule. No additional hearings have been scheduled yet but the ZA anticipates that the schedule will begin filling quickly as there have been numerous inquiries.
-Final copies of the DRB’s Rules of Procedure and Conflict of Interest Policy will be handed out at the next meeting after format problems have been corrected.
8:19PM – S. Corbin moved to adjourn; L. Kilcoyne second. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Taylor-Varney, ZA
Signed: _______________________________________ Date: _______________________
For the Development Review Board
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These minutes are unofficial until approved at the next regularly-scheduled meeting. All motions were unanimous unless otherwise indicated.