SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES May 2, 2018
Members Present: D. Patterson (Chair); S. Gregg (Vice-Chair); D. Roy; R. Henry; B. Kerr
Public Present: T. Maxham; Marth Taylor-Varney, ZA
7:00 PM – D. Patterson called the meeting to order.
Changes to the Agenda
Move the Open Space discussion to the June 20 meeting.
Public Input
There was none.
Continue Review of Draft Development Regulations’ discussion with NRPC
The discussion continued with proposed Article 5 – General Regulations. Standards for driveways, pre-existing non-conforming lots, and outdoor lighting were discussed. Article 6’s proposed road standards (specifically, private roads) and proposed Village District Form and Design Standards were also discussed. The Commission decided that these needed to be further discussed with the Selectboard at a future meeting. Fence heights were extended to 6 feet before a permit would be needed. The Commission agreed that there was still a need for fence regulations to prevent issues of view obstruction or disagreements on the location of boundary lines. Regulations for Home Occupations continue to be an important subject, with the Commission trying to decide how much (or how little) regulation there should be for home-based businesses. D. Roy will send the members an alternate version for their review.
Review NRPC maps for Village District boundaries
The discussion included the proposed village zoning districts vs. the Designated Village Districts. The Commission members may want to expand the designated districts once the boundaries of the village zoning districts have been established. In Keeler Bay Village, the members agreed that the district should extend north to the old health center location if there is water available from the Fire District. S. Gregg felt that water availability shouldn’t affect the limits of the Districts. Tim Maxham stated that water and septic will become an issue as density increases and should be taken into consideration. In South Hero Village, B. Kerr questioned why land in the Land Trust or areas that contain wetlands should be included in the district? Additional questions included whether the district should be pushed to the north to be even with the back boundary of the new Emergency Services Building, east to encompass the Pest Pro parcel, and how far south to extend it on South St? Questions also included how 9l criteria of Act 250 could be affected if the village boundaries are extended, and whether the Village District should follow parcel boundaries or be uniform (in some cases bisecting parcels)? D. Patterson will print out his boundary map recommendations and send them to the other members.
Continued review of Sign Ordinance language
This was pushed to the next meeting’s agenda.
Approval of Minutes
- Roy moved to approve the minutes from April 18, 2018; B. Kerr second. All in favor.
New/Old Business
-The Board discussed a letter Doug had written that was an update on the status of the Development Regulations updates. It was decided to wait until after the Commission’s meeting with the Selectboard in June before deciding how to proceed.
–S. Gregg told the Board about possible grant opportunities for the addition of a public charging station proposed for the PUD at 260 US RT 2 (Health Center/Wally’s/Emergency Services Building/Future Library).
Administrator’s Report
-Martha showed the Commission members a document from the State of Vermont Transportation Board in reference to municipal approvals regulating helicopter landing sites and other aviation facilities for private use. Many municipalities (including South Hero) do not have specific regulations for these. Although there are rules and statutes governing the Transportation Board’s review of these facilities, there is little guidance as to how municipalities should review them. The TB is considering revising these rules and is seeking input to help guide its decisions. Deadline is July 1, 2018.
-The Planning Commission will meet with the DRB and Selectboard at a special Planning Commission meeting to be warned for June 4, 2018 at 7PM at the Town Office. Representatives from the Fire Department and Rescue are encouraged to attend. Discussion on the Development Regulations update will include:
- The height of structures in the proposed Village Districts;
- Driveway standards;
- Road Standards;
- Home-based businesses (requirement to register?);
- Seasonal Conversions;
- Proposed boundaries of the new Village Districts;
- The approval procedure for the updated document.
9:37 PM – S. Gregg moved to adjourn; D. Patterson 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.