SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES January 7, 2026
Members Present: David Roy (Chair); Don Bedard (Vice-Chair); Michele Gammal; Joan Falcao.
Member Absent: Brooke Scott
Others Present: Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA)
5:59PM – D. Roy called the meeting to order.
Changes to the Agenda
No changes.
Public Comment
There was no public present.
Old Business
a. Final draft review – change to measuring setback distances from structures; corrected Figure 2.2 graphic: No updated figure yet. Questions from the Commission members included – Do these measurements include the distance from ground level stairs? Does this include measuring from balconies from upper levels? There was discussion about where on the structure these would be – on the side, closer to adjacent homes or on the front where they would not impact neighbors? J. Falcao asked if the definition should be included in the review standards for Setback Waivers? The balance of the members did not think it was necessary. The commission settled on a definition proposed by D. Roy, with edits:
“A setback is the minimum distance between a property line, right-of-way or mean lake level at the nearest point of the structure, excluding bay windows or eaves/roof overhangs. Subject to Review Standards, Section 206.D, a bay window or eaves/roof overhang may extend no more than 30” into the setback.”
**M. Gammal moved to accept the above definition; D. Bedard second. D. Roy, D. Bedard, and M. Gammal voted to affirm; J. Falcao voted in the negative. The motion passed.
[Note by Martha Taylor-Varney — The reference to Sec 206D has been found to be incorrect. The Commission will revisit this at their February 21 meeting.]
b. South Hero Scoping Study – Featherbed Lane/Apple Island Update: Falcao shared the Draft Study which includes alternatives for increasing the safety of this area. Also shared was the appendix, including the results of speed studies, pedestrian crossing counts, natural resources, public input, and next steps. The Selectboard will host a public meeting on the study at their January 12, 2026 regular meeting. The two documents will be added to the minutes when posted on the Town website.
c. Discuss schedule for introducing proposed Regulations updates: moved to a future agenda.
Approve Meeting Minutes from regular PC Meeting December 3, 2025
D. Bedard moved to approve the minutes of December 3, 2025; J. Falcao second. All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
- The comment period is open for Northwest Regional Planning Commission’s 2026-2034 Regional Plan. It is available online on the NRPC website.
- The HOME Act and Act 181 include some required changes to local zoning regulations. This discussion will continue at the next meeting.
Next Meeting
The Planning Commission will meet next on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 6PM at the Town Office.
Adjournment
6:48PM – 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 unapproved until the next regularly scheduled meeting. All motions were unanimous unless otherwise indicated.
Featherbed Lane_DRAFT_1-2-2026_reduced
South Hero Featherbed Lane Scoping Study_Appendicies_Reduced (1)