SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION May 7, 2025
Members Present: David Roy (Chair); Michele Gammal; Joan Falcao; Brooke Scott
Member Absent: Don Bedard (Vice-Chair)
Others Present: Doug Patterson (DRB); Tim Maxham (DRB); Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA)
6:00PM – D. Roy called the meeting to order.
Change to the Agenda
There were none.
Public Comment
None.
Report from David Roy on PC recommendations to the Selectboard re Act 181
D. Roy will ask NRPC follow-up questions on behalf of the Selectboard. Who approves the final map? The Selectboard was generally in favor. Will this impact the Development Regulations? There will be some updates required (maps, etc.).
Old Business
Average Natural Grade/Pre-Construction Grade: Doug Patterson stated that ‘average natural grade’ is before any excavation; ‘pre-construction grade’ is established before the foundation goes in. Tim Maxham agreed. There needs to be a grading plan submitted to the DRB during review of the project. The 2 definitions need to be clarified in the Regulations. Currently, ‘pre-construction grade’ is included in the definition for “average natural grade.’ Both J. Falcao and D. Roy expressed concern about how elevation can impact neighboring properties – loss of view. M. Gammal asked why material from the lot cannot be moved to change the grade within that lot. Doug Patterson responded that a grading plan is needed to see how the change in grade will affect the surrounding properties. J. Falcao reiterated that many homes created by a subdivision are okay but that the views of surrounding existing homes should not be affected. How to establish a baseline for measuring height of structures? Larger developments are generally graded to the same plane, but ho to establish it f or an individual lot? Could using GIS maps help establish average natural grade? A benchmark is needed to establish average natural grade. To measure the height of structures built on slopes, D. Roy recommended identifying 4 or more equidistant points from which to interpolate average height. All agreed that the term ‘pre-construction grade’ needs to be removed from the definition of ‘average natural grade’ in Article 10 (pg. 106) iin the Development Regulations.
Continue Discussion on South St./Lavin Property Multi-Modal Path: The Commission members fell that the Selectboard needs to be part of the discussion with the PC, Rec Commission, Conservation Commission, and South Hero Land Trust. D. Roy will invite SB member Steve Robinson to a future meeting. Phil Scott of the Rec Commission, too?
PC Review of Preliminary FEMA Flood Risk Maps
Commission members reviewed the preliminary FEMA floor risk map. Initial comments are due to NRPC by May 16. Public review of the maps will be in upcoming months. Final maps may be ready in 2027.
Approve Minutes of April 16, 2025 Meeting
J. Falcao moved to approve the minutes of April 16, 2025, as amended; B. Scott second. All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
No report.
Announcements
Meeting House – no report
New Town Office – nothing to report.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be May 21, 2025 at 6PM at the Town Office.
Adjournment
7:47PM – M. Gammal moved to adjourn; J. Falcao 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.