SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES May 3, 2023
Members Present: Sandy Gregg (Chair); Michele Gammal (Vice-Chair); David Roy; Don Bedard
Member Absent: George Harwood
Others Present: Joan Falcao, Tim Maxham; Bob Buermann; Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA)
6:00PM – S. Gregg opened the meeting.
Changes to the Agenda
There were none.
Public Comment
None.
Town Plan Status
The Planning Commission wishes to extend its gratitude to Barb Carter for proofreading the Plan draft and catching numerous misspellings and grammatical errors not yet identified in previous reviews.
- Gregg told the Commission that non-substantial changes can continue to be made to the document before the May 22 Selectboard review of the Plan. Discussion included whether to include chapter numbers on chapter color bars. Bob Buermann noted that the commission should not rely exclusively on color as a way to identify the different chapters, but to include labels, in case a reader is colorblind. A reference was added to the Plan about the May 2 and 9, 2023 mapping exercise in the Natural Resources and Land Use section of the Plan. Additional photos will be considered to fill some of the empty space – are there any pictures of the Crick? Charts and Figure numbers will be checked for consistency, and maps reviewed to make sure there’s no out-of-date information or wrong locations. There was discussion about the correct name of the Allen Point Fishing Access (include ‘Fishing’?) and the description of where the Access ends and the Island Line Trail begins. Updates made at this meeting will be included in the draft presented at the May 22 Selectboard meeting.
Bob Buermann comments –
- Bob was concerned that the Plan gives the impression that the current wastewater study will provide recommendations for ww sites. The study will only provide options but no recommendations to implement. It is a feasibility study – nothing is guaranteed that a system will be built. The wording in the Plan will be changed to “review” the results of the feasibility study, not implement.
- Bob questioned the statement in the Plan that prohibited airstrips and helipads. After much discussion, the Commission agreed to add language to consider them on a case-by-case basis.
- Bob asked that the Plan add a reference to Green Mountain Transit’s efforts to include a micro-transit opportunity under CIDER, to include a wider clientele.
- Bob had a question about Lake Champlain as a water source and asked why other water source options, like wells, were not being considered. Gregg explained that the reference was to the State’s restrictions on new systems using the lake as a source for potable water (with proper treatment), rather than drilling a well for substandard (sulfur) water. Bob felt the wording was confusing.
Old Business
- ARPA Committee Update – Roy told the Commission that there was a Selectboard special meeting on May 1st to discuss options and requests for use of the Town’s ARPA funds. A public hearing will be held at the May 22nd Selectboard meeting to continue the discussion and perhaps finalize allocation of the funds.
- Wastewater Committee – the next meeting will be Monday, May 8th at 4:30, prior to that evening’s Selectboard meeting.
- Conservation Commission Values Mapping – the CC held a meeting with VT Fish and Wildlife and South Hero Land Trust on May 2nd at the Worthen Library. A virtual follow-up meeting will be held on May 9th. A summary report by Fish and Wildlife isi due mid-summer.
Review of Minutes
April 5, 2023 – D. Bedard moved to approve the minutes of April 5, 2023; D. Roy second. All in favor.
April 13, 2023 Special Meeting – D. Bedard moved to approve the minutes of the April 13, 2023 PC special meeting; D. Roy second. All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
ZA Martha Taylor-Varney reported that the first session of Zoning 101 was held Thursday, April 27, 2023 at the South Hero Town Office. It was a successful evening, with 17 attendees. Martha plans to continue the classes on the last Thursday of each month at 6PM. LCATV filmed the first session, and a link will be put on the Town website once we receive it.
Announcements
There were none.
Next Meeting
The Planning Commission’s public hearing will be May 17, 2023 at 6PM during the Commission’s regular meeting at which time the final draft will be presented to the public.
Adjournment
8:19PM – D. 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 regularly scheduled meeting. All motions were unanimous unless otherwise indicated.