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October 18, 2017 Planning Commission Minutes

SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES  October 18, 2017

 

Members Present: D. Patterson; R. Henry; S. Gregg; B. Kerr

Member Absent: D. Roy

Public Present: T. Maxham, N. Hayward, J. Brightwell, R. Brown, S. Corbin (all DRB); M. Taylor-Varney, ZA

 

7PM — D. Patterson called the meeting to order.

 

Changes to the Agenda

There were none.

 

Continue Review of Final Draft of Development Regulations

The discussion continued with Article VI — Development Standards.  The members stressed that it was important that it be clear that this Article only pertains to development that requires review by the Development Review Board and is not required for residences that can be permitted by the Zoning Administrator without further DRB review.

Under Screening (Sec.602.B), all of the “shall”‘s were replaced with “may” to allow the DRB leeway when reviewing whether it is necessary to provide screening in all cases.  The section on landscaping (Plant Specifications — Sec. 602.C) need further review and discussion.  Again, under Parking Area Design and Shared Parking (Sec. 603), “shall” is replaced by “may,” and parking in the Village Districts will be located on the side or back “if possible.”  Table 6.1 (Parking Area Design Standards) needs a unit of measure (in feet).

There was considerable discussion regarding Section 605 (Roads and Pedestrian Infrastructure), especially Sec. 605.C.1, upgrades for existing driveways and private roads.  The Board agreed this needed additional study and perhaps additional discussion with the Selectboard.  There was a suggestion that this be separated from the Development Regulations.

In Section 605.D (Standards for the Layout and Configuration of Roads), it was agreed to delete the requirements that new roads be laid out in a grid pattern and to avoid four-way intersections.  The Boards felt this was more in common with much larger communities such as South Burlington and did not reflect South Hero.

Section 606 (Stormwater Management and Erosion Control) will need more input from NRPC.  is this section necessary since it would be a State permit not under the DRB’s jurisdiction?

In Section 608 (Village District Form and Design Standards), discussion centered on the requirement to have at least one public entrance that is prominent and oriented to the public right-of-way, and on required arrangements of windows on the facade.

 

The next Meeting of the Planning Commission will be November 1, 2017 where the Boards will continue the review with Article VII – Specific Uses and Structures.

 

Minutes

  1. Kerr moved to accept the minutes from October 4, 2017; R. Henry 2nd.  All in favor.

 

Public Input

There was none.

 

New/Old Business

NRPC told Martha that they will be available to help with editing and further discussion once the review of the draft regulations is complete.

 

Administrator’s Report

  1. The VLCT Fall Planning and Zoning Forum will be held November 1, 2017 in South Burlington.
  2. Martha attended the NRPC Zoning Administrator’s Roundtable on October 10.  Planning Commission member Sandy Gregg and DRB Alternate Jim Brightwell also attended.
  3. The Selectboard chose not to adopt the interim zoning bylaw related to DRB review of fireworks distributors at their October 9, 2017 meeting.

 

9:02 – S. Gregg moved to adjourn; R. Henry second.  All in favor.

 

 

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.