SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES October 16, 2024
Members Present: David Roy (Chair); Don Bedard (Vice Chair); Michele Gammal, Brooke Scott; Joan Falcao.
Others Present: Tim Maxham; Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA)
6:02 PM – D. Roy called the meeting to order.
Changes to the Agenda
There were none.
Public Comment
None.
Old Business
The Commission continued the discussion of a combined pedestrian/bike path on South St. D. Roy brought in enlarged aerial photos of South St. from RT 2 to Allenholm. The discussion centered on the 3150 feet from RT 2 to the school. D. Roy pointed out that the west side of South St. has fewer homes, but moving the path to the east side just north of the cemetery will avoid stepper slopes on the west side. Could a sidewalk with flashing light – like the one on RT 2 at South St. – be placed where the path would cross the road?
Bicycles use both sides of the road depending on which direction, but it was agreed that a path on one side would be okay. What are the required widths for the path? Are there regulations related to the location of mailboxes? Are there road standards to consider? D. Bedard will talk to Kyle Grenier at NRPC. Is there a state contact? Could updates to the water lines along South St. be combined with adding a bike/pedestrian path? Can the path include wet stations? Could the Highway Department build this? The next steps will include contacting NRPC, the Selectboard, and the highway department. M. Gammal asked if new lots created along South St. could include sidewalk easements as a condition of approval. T. Maxham [chair of the DRB] was non-committal. Phil Scott of the Rec Commission will be invited to the next meeting. D. Roy and M. Gammal will attend the Selectboard’s October 28 meeting for their input early in this process. Are there any other towns comparable in size to South Hero who have done this? ZA Martha Taylor-Varney will look into this.
New Business
There was none.
Approve Minutes
- Bedard moved to approve the minutes of October 2, 2024; J. Falcao second. All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
- Will the Commission be meeting for both meetings in November (11/6 and 20) and December (12/4 and 18)?
- Martha will be attending the VLCT Fall Zoning and Planning Forum at Lake Morey in Fairlee, VT on Thursday, October 17.
- Some towns are starting to consider local regulations on building ponds. Is South Hero interested? No decision.
Announcements
- No Meeting House update.
- Town Office Committee – the Selectboard signed a contract with AES.
- Roy will represent the PC on the Hazard Mitigation Plan update committee.
Next Meeting
November 6, 2024.
7:09 PM – M. Gammal 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.