SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES June 7, 2023
Members Present: Sandy Gregg (Chair); Don Bedard; Dave Roy; George Harwood (via Zoom)
Member Absent: Michele Gammal (Vice-Chair)
Others Present: Donna Boumil (S.H.O.R.E); Joan Falcao; Tim Maxham; Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA)
6:00 PM – S. Gregg called the meeting to order.
Changes to the Agenda
- Harwood wanted to acknowledge that PC Chair Sandy Gregg has been named 2023 Citizen Planner of the Year by the VT Planners Association. She told the Commission that she accepted the award on behalf of the entire Planning Commission. Congratulations to Sandy.
Public Comment
There was none.
Update on South Hero Overland Route Exploration (S.H.O.R.E)
Donna Boumil gave the Commission an update on the S.H.O.R.E project. It is funded by the VOREC (VT Outdoor Recreation) grant. The 3 agencies collaborating on the project are Northwest Regional Planning Commission, South Hero Land T rust, and Lake Champlain Islands Economic Development Corporation (LCIEDC). Donna presented a Power Point [attached to the minutes on the Town website – southherovt.org/Planning commission]. SE Group, a Burlington planning and design company, has been hired to identify design improvements for bicycle routes, including signage, best routes to businesses, and bike rest areas. A report will be compiled for the Planning Commission, Recreation Commission, and Selectboard. Donna stressed that she’d like to meet with representatives from the Planning Commission, Rec, Trails, and Land Trust because she feels that there is the possibility of overlaps in funding opportunities, to prevent a duplication of efforts. What could be funded through SHORE?
Tim Maxham asked what kind of signs are being proposed. Donna stated that SE will make recommendations but that the signs throughout South Hero and, perhaps, the entire Islands as a whole will be uniform. Tim suggested using existing signposts and limiting adding more permanent posts. Tim commented that bikes are competing with cars on the road and that bicyclists need to obey the rules of the road, too.
Town Plan Status
- Gregg gave the Commission members copies of the latest update (dated 5/23/23). This update includes corrections and additional pictures. The next step is to compare the draft to the comprehensive list of edits (Don already found a missing number 3 on page 27). The review will be divided between D. Bedard and D. Roy. The final draft will be presented at the Selectboard public hearing on June 26.
There was additional discussion about outreach in preparation for the August 1 vote, and a conversation that D. Bedard had with Patrick Robinson (SHFD) about the fire departments’ response capabilities in the case of an aircraft accident. Patrick will send a written response.
Old Business
Grannies Attic has decided not to participate in Community Cheers and Cheese this year, scheduled for June 26.
Approval of Minutes
- Roy moved to approve the minutes from the May 17, 2023 PC Public Hearing meeting; D. Bedard second. All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
- Martha attended a virtual meeting on Substantial Damage/Substantial Improvement seminar hosted by Massachusetts FEMA.
- The next Zoning 101 class will be Thursday, June 29 at 6PM. The subjects covered will be Conditional Use Review, Site Plan Review, Setback Waivers, and Variances.
Announcements
- Gregg will have an update on the Sidewalk Scoping Study at the next PC meeting.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be June 21st at 6PM. Martha will be unable to attend.
Adjournment
- Roy moved to adjourn; D. Bedard 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 regular meeting. All motions were unanimous unless otherwise indicated.