SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES November 17, 2021
Members present: Doug Patterson (Chair); Sandy Gregg (Vice-Chair); David Roy; George Harwood.
Member Absent: Michele Gammal
Public Present: [Via Zoom] Jackie Snider; Bridget Kerr; Bob Pekar; Marion Palermo; Kathy Magill; Bill and Shirley Bingham; Anne Quinn; Ann Morway; Robert Cusimano; Marty Kiser; Jim Bond; Kathreine Hayward; Kim Ravdin; Barbara Gardner; and Donny Bedard. [Attended in the Town Office] Ron Phelps; Mandy Hotchkiss; James Carroll; Pamela Surprenant; Ross Brown; Robert and Sue Straight; Judy Duval; Ethelyn Dubuque; Bev Blakely; Andrea Champagne; Andy Julow; Natalie Kendrack; Bob Buermann; Nate Hayward; Ashley Williams; Carol Egan; Robert Fireovid; Samera Hilliker; Ray and Peggy Kirk; Tim Maxham, Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA).
6:00 PM – D. Patterson called the meeting to order. The Board introduced themselves and the agenda was read.
Changes to the Agenda
The Commission decided to push item #7 to the next meeting.
Public Comment
There was none.
Discussion About Proposed Town Park
- Gregg introduced Nate Hayward. Nate explained that he has purchased the Bill Fifield property and the property on which the Blue Paddle is located. The 10.78-ac Fifield parcel includes a wastewater system utilized by the Blue Paddle, and replacement wastewater areas that the State no longer requires. He sees an opportunity to not only donate some land to the Town but to also provide additional wastewater capacity for new uses. There is currently no wastewater for the Meeting House or the ‘Red Fire Station’ building. His concept plan includes ‘greening up’ the area by pushing parking back away from the road and reducing the amount of impervious surface and to allow for lawn and landscaping along RT 2. This could be coordinated with the rehabilitation of the Old Meeting House. Ideas and suggestions for a park include tennis/pickleball courts, an open-area pavilion for farmer’s markets or outdoor performances, baseball/soccer fields, a mountain bike track; walking trails, and frisbee golf. There has been discussion about a possible new permanent home for Granny’s Attic, perhaps replacing the red fire station building with a structure to be used seasonally by the museum and Granny’s Attic. Nate said the donated land would be approximately 3 acres. Areas between the Paddle and the Fifield house, behind the Fifield house, and in the wooded area on the north end of the Fifield parcel would be reserved for possible future development. D. Roy asked if there was an estimate of the cost of infrastructure. Nate said not yet. There would need to be a shared public/private allocation of parking between public use and that for commercial uses. S. Gregg expressed concern that during renovation of the Meeting House, Granny’s Attic will need to relocate for 1 to 2 seasons. Could there be a pole barn structure built for the items that are currently on the second floor of the meeting house that might eventually serve as a permanent location for Grannys’, replacing the red fire station building? Sandy suggested that the Selectboard form a committee to explore possible uses and details for a Town park.
Open to the Public
Bob Buermann thanked Nate and expressed agreement with the list of possible park uses. He suggested also considering a dog park. Granny’s Attic member Beth Curtis said that Granny’s wants to remain part of the community and she wants to understand where there may be a space for them to go during renovations to the Meeting House. She’d like to involve the community to help them find a temporary location. Bev Blakely stated she was more worried about a permanent solution. Judy Duval said they would prefer to be on one level and being in 2 separate buildings was not working for them.
Discussion on Accessibility Waivers
- Patterson explained that CIDER supports efforts to build ramps for homes where there is a need but the need for possible permitting from the Town could delay or prevent construction. Some people cannot be discharged from the hospital until their homes are accessible, so there is a need to streamline the process. CIDER volunteer Bob Buermann explained that there is a need to be able to build the ramps quickly. Could the Town include a waiver not only from the requirement for a building permit, but also for setback requirements? Doug proposed language for the Regulations limiting the waiver to structures no larger than 350 sq. ft. Bob suggested that reflectors be added to ramps. The Commission will add the continued discussion on the agenda for the next meeting.
Continue Discussion on Sec. 703 – Fences
- Gregg presented draft suggestions to update/clarify the language in Sec 703 – Fences. Her suggestions included adding that “all fences are subject to this section” rather than just fences 6 feet and over. There was discussion on including stone walls, earthen berms, and hedgerows in addition to fences. This discussion will continue. Also discussed were fences on property boundaries and nuisance/’spite’ fences. Barbara Gardner told the Commission members that State law refers to ‘spite fences’ rather than nuisance fences. The Commission considered whether fence regulations should remain in the Development Regulations or held separately as an ordinance. Martha will discuss this with the Selectboard at their Nov. 22 meeting. This will be continued on the PC agenda for the next meeting.
Renewal of Village Center Designation
- Gregg told the members that the Village Center Designation needs to be renewed in 2022 for both South Hero and Keeler Bay Villages. The renewal will require confirmation from the Selectboard and updating the maps (NRPC will do this). Does the Town want to consider expanding the village designation boundaries in Keeler Bay Village? The Commission will review the current maps at their next meeting.
Compile List of minor corrections/amendments to the Development Regulations
Pushed to the Dec. 1, 2021 agenda.
ARPA Committee Update
Current committee volunteers are Doug Patterson (Planning Commission), Chuck Hulse (Selectboard), Bob Fireovid, Randy Smith, Katherine Hayward, Ashley Williams, Carol Egan, and Bob Pekar. There is a Town ARPA website at https://southherovt.org/arpa. The site is based on the Jericho, VT ARPA website. The committee’s first meeting will be on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 6PM at the Worthen Library [the site has been changed to the Town Office Boardroom. The Library is unavailable that night].
Wastewater Planning and Assessment Committee Update
- Harwood reported that the Committee will be applying for a grant for a feasibility study for wastewater to both village areas to facilitate more development there. The committee has engaged Greta Brunswick of NRPC to help in the application process. The planning grant is from a revolving fund, awarding $125,000 and does not need to be repaid. It was explained by Greta to be a ‘mortgage’ rather than a grant. The deadline for application is the end of December. Three items are needed for the application – a priority list, to engage an engineer or consultant (this can be done prior to the awarding of the grant), and the application itself. These will not be ARPA funds. Bridget Kerr asked what the difference is between the Village Zoning Districts and the village ‘areas.’ George explained that the zoning districts had defined boundaries but that the village area would include the districts but could possibly expand a bit beyond. The committee’s next meeting will be Monday, November 29 at 4:30PM in the Town Office. The committee is looking for additional members, especially from the village districts or those with additional technical knowledge.
Meeting Minutes
- Gregg moved to approve the minutes from November 3, 2021; G. Harwood second. All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
- Martha reminded the Commission that there will be a 5th Monday meeting with the Selectboard and DRB on Monday, November 29, 2021 at 6PM. This will be warned as a special Selectboard meeting.
- The Commission will hold both its December meetings – on the 1st and 15th.
- Recent updates to the Development Regulations have been included in the document and are posted on the Town website. Martha will have the amended pages available for the PC members at the Dec. 1 meeting to include in their notebooks.
- Patterson will not be at the 11/29 5th Monday meeting or the 12/1 PC meeting.
Adjournment
7:31PM — S. Gregg moved to adjourn; G. Harwood 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.