SOUTH HERO DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD MINUTES January 12, 2022
Members Present some via Zoom: Tim Maxham (Chair), Doug Patterson (Vice Chair), Bill Rowe, Mike Welch (Alternate), Nate Hayward, Liza Kilcoyne and James Brightwell.
Others Present (some via Zoom): Martha Taylor Varney (ZA), Sue Arguin (DRB Clerk), Owen Jenkins, Mike Ryan, Marian Fritz, Donald Bedard, Bob Fireovid, Mike Donoghue, Lucy Thayer, Linda Seavey, Sandy Gregg, Emily Ellis, Jeff Sikora, Anne Zolotas, Alan Goldstein, Michael Frett, Jen Desautels, Pierre LeBlanc, Donna LeBlanc, Kyle LeBlanc, David Roy & Lisa Leavitt
7:00PM – Meeting called to order by Tim Maxham.
Changes to Agenda – There was none.
Public Input – There was none.
LPD Holdings–Preliminary Site Plan Review for the redevelopment of the Sand Bar Inn site (22-44-RT059): The original warning was read by Doug Patterson and then the corrected version with the corrected time. Tim Maxham opened the meeting to the public and swore in the applicants. At that time, he also acknowledged that the time of the meeting had to be corrected.
Jen Desautels spoke on behalf of LPD Holdings. She spoke about the history of the Sand Bar Motel and all the changes that have occurred over the years. Since LPD Holdings purchased the property in fall of 2021, they have had surveys completed and created plans for a 5000 sq ft restaurant that will accommodate 86 seats, four 2-unit dwellings, an individual dwelling, and parking with 73 spaces.
Tim Maxham went over Table 3.1, page 23 which describes the Preliminary Site Review Requirements. After reviewing with the applicants what is required, they assured us that they would be able to achieve these but were still in the very early stages of the development.
Doug Patterson stated that the lot is 4.7 total acres that the development. How did the Applicant calculate 9 proposed dwelling units and a restaurant in a zoning district with minimum lot size of ¾-acre? Jen Desautells explained that LPD Holdings was there to talk further about the density requirements of the lot.
Tim added at that time that in order to proceed the Board would need to take a close look at it as a PUD (Planned Unit Development).
Nate Hayward was questioning about the history of the permitting of the project and about the septic system. There is an existing 2007 State wastewater permit for the property, as part of a previous approval from the ZBA and Planning Commission in 2007 for a restaurant/residential development (never built). He was inquiring about how the decision about capacity was arrived at initially. Were there items that were Grandfathered or not?
Jim Brightwell asked about proposed parking spaces for the marina across RT 2 (14 have been designated as part of an agreement by LPD Holdings to provide parking for the marina), the number of spaces allowed for restaurant employees, the number of seats in the restaurant, and residential parking. He wants to see these calculations.
Anne Zolatas commented on whether or not delivery trucks, as well as fire trucks and other emergency vehicles, would fit around the development and wanted to make sure these would have room to maneuver in the event they needed to.
Emily Ellis, whose property abuts the proposed development to the east, asked if there was a plan for a fence or some type of boundary line border.
The Board felt that LPD Holdings’ proposal needs to come back to the Board as a PUD application, requiring conditional use and final site plan review. Is it possible to obtain permits that will support the proposal? Can the proposal be designed to accommodate all the proposed uses? The Board and Applicant agreed that this meeting was intended for a preliminary meeting discussion.
Annual Reorganization — Elections for Chair and Vice Chair for DRB– Nate Hayward nominated Tim Maxham as Chair and Bill Rowe Second. All in Favor. Liza Kilcoyne nominated Doug Patterson as Vice Chair and Jim Brightwell second. All in favor.
Old Business: NONE
Review of Minutes: Nate Hayward moved to accept minutes of Dec. 8, 2021, as written, and Bill Rowe second. All in Favor.
Administrator’s Report:
- There will be 2 hearings on Jan 26, 2022. One is a combined Preliminary/Final Plat review for the Henry 9-Lot Subdivision at 129 Ferry Rd. The second hearing is Booska’s at 493 Rte 2, coming in for an accessory use review for weddings and other functions at their large barn.
- There are no meetings scheduled for February at this time..
- Two Articles will be on the ballot for Town Meeting Day: (paraphrased)
- To require Town voter approval for any changes/additions/deletions to the Development Regulations;
- To require Town voter approval for Town Plans.
- There will be a ZA Round table happening on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 from 9:30-11:00, organized by the Northwest Regional Planning. Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA) will be attending. Planning Commission or DRB members are invited to attend.
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Adjournment: Liza Kilcoyne moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:40PM and Nate Hayward second. All in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Arguin/DRB Clerk
Signed:______________________________________Date:________________________
These minutes are unofficial until approved at the next regularly scheduled meeting. All motions were unanimous unless otherwise indicated.