SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTESOct. 15, 2025
Members Present: Don Bedard (Vice-Chair); Michele Gammal; Joan Falcao; Brooke Scott
Member Absent: David Roy
Others Present: Greta Brunswick (NRPC); Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA)
6:01PM – D. Bedard called the meeting to order.
Changes to the Agenda
Greta Brunswick corrected the agenda heading under Item 3a – her discussion will primarily be about a municipal planning grant, not Act 181.
Public Comment
There was none.
Old Business
a. Municipal Planning Grant — Greta Brunswick of Northwest Regional Planning Commission asked the Commission to consider supporting the Town’s application for a Municipal Planning Grant [MPG] to create a planning process for the use and development of the Town’s recently purchased Lavin parcel. What is the Town’s vision for the development of the property? How will the community wastewater be used? With NRPC acting as agent, the grant would be used to gather public feedback and input. The Planning Commission will need to support the proposal and the Selectboard will sign a resolution during the week of October 27th. J. Falcao suggested a survey be mailed to the Town’s residents to gauge interest and gather ideas, perhaps during the winter. Greta recommended that a steering committee be formed to head up the process, perhaps including both PC members and community members. There was discussion about how the committee will be recruited. B. Scott and J. Falcao volunteered to represent the Planning Commission on the committee.
**J. Falcao moved to have David Roy sign the resolution for the Municipal Planning Grant to create a planning process for development of the Lavin parcel; B. Scott second. All in favor.
Review/Update on Act 181 – Greta told the Commission that the Selectboard opted into Tier 1B. It is currently in the 60-day pre-application review. NRPC’s draft regional plan will have a public hearing on Dec. 11, 2025.
CHIP – there was discussion on the State’s CHIP program (Community Housing and Infrastructure Program).
b. Final Draft – Definitions: average natural grade; pre-construction elevation – J. Falcao presented a draft copy in addition to one sent by Chair D. Roy (not in attendance at this meeting). There was discussion but it was ultimately decided to wait for D. Roy to be at a meeting before making a final decision. The Commission agreed to have the current drafts reviewed by the Development Review Board at their November 11 meeting.
c. First draft review – changes to measuring setback distances for structures – this was moved to the November 5 agenda.
d. South Hero Scoping Study – Featherbed Lane/Apple Island/RT 2 update – The committee met on October 15 and fine-tuned their goals. Options shown on their PowerPoint include a ‘refuge island’, signage, painted lanes, crosswalk feedback signs, and flex posts. Who will be responsible for the cost – South Hero of VTrans? What are the costs of the individual options?
e. Review of visit to Lavin parcel by Capital for a Day (September 25) – Martha Taylor-Varney and D. Bedard attended. Discussion included housing and CHIP options. There are encouraging opportunities for grants to help with the process.
Meeting Minutes – September 17, 2025
J. Falcao moved to accept the minutes of September 17, 2025; M. Gammal second. All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
The upcoming meeting schedule for November and December:
-November 5, and 19
-December 3 and 17
Next Meeting
November 5, 2025 @6PM.
Adjournment
7:59PM – B. Scott 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