SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES January 3, 2024
Members Present: Sandy Gregg (Chair); Michele Gammal (Vice-Chair); Don Bedard
Member Absent: David Roy
Others Present: Martha Taylor-Varney, ZA
6:00 PM – S. Gregg called the meeting to order.
- Gammal invited the Commission and the zoning administrator to a meeting of the Grand Isle County Natural Resources Conservation District on Jan. 17 at the Two Heroes brewpub. A “Keeler Bay Action Plan” produced by Fitzgerald Environmental will be presented with a discussion of the plan’s results on the agenda. Michele feels it is important for the Planning Commission members and ZA to attend. This will be held before the Commission’s regular 3rd Wednesday of the month meeting at 6PM.
Changes to the Agenda
There were none.
Public Comment
There was none.
Old Business – Continue discussion on Village Districts
The Commission discussed what new definitions will be needed for Zoning District Purposes in Article 2, differentiating the Village Core and Village Neighborhood Districts. Maps will be needed for each, with a reference to their page number in the Regulations. Should these be in an Addendum? Members felt that Section 202.B (Interpretation of Zoning District Boundaries) needs to be clarified and will work on updating that for the next meeting. S. Gregg presented draft language for the village core districts for the Commissioners to review. Discussion will continue on this after the members have had an opportunity to review. Also discussed was whether a statement about the limited availability of water and wastewater in the village districts should be included in the village district purposes. The members felt this wasn’t necessary. Sandy agreed to keep a spreadsheet of all proposed updates.
New Business: Definition of “Light Industry”
Should “light, low-impact industry” be defined? After considerable discussion, the Commission agreed that the performance standards in Sec. 508 give the DRB guidance to decide. M. Gammal will research what additional performance standards may be necessary or needed. This discussion will continue at the next meeting.
- Gregg gave the Commission a copy of Frequently Asked Questions about the National Register of Historic Places [attached to the minutes on the Town website and posted in the Town Office boardroom] related to the recent application for a designation of part of the South Hero Village in the national registry. Application for this designation will be reviewed on Jan. 18. Property owners in the proposed designated area have received letters regarding the application.
Approve Meeting Minutes from December 20, 2023
- Bedard moved to accept the minutes of 12-20-23; M. Gammal second. All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
- The Selectboard adopted the recent proposed amendments to the Development Regulations at their Dec. 9, 223 meeting. The amendments became effective on January 1, 2024. Martha Gave the Commission members amended pages of the affected sections to replace outdated pages in their copies of the Development Regulations.
- Martha asked the Commission to consider clarifying the language regarding storage facilities as they relate to boat storage in the village districts. Should boat storage be a separate category? The definition in Article 10 for storage facilities references storage “structures.” This would affect a new boat repair business in the Keeler Bay Village Zoning District (the previous location of the Grand Isle Nursery). Should this location remain in the village district (or future ‘village neighborhood district’)? This discussion will continue.
Announcements
- Gregg proposed that the Planning Commission participate in an AARP Walk Audit of the village districts I the spring. She will make copies of the mailing she received to send to everybody.
Next Meeting
January 17, 2024 at 6PM at the Town Office.
Adjournment
7:30 PM — D. Bedard 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.