SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES October 18, 2023
Members Present: Sandy Gregg (Chair); David Roy; Don Bedard; George Harwood (via Zoom)
Member Absent: Michele Gammal (Vice-Chair)
Others Present: Michael Frett (Islander); Tim Maxham; Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA)
6:00 PM – S. Gregg called the meeting to order.
Changes to the Agenda
There were none.
Public Comment
There was none.
Old Business
- Strategic Transportation Safety Plan: Kyle Grenier, transportation planner at Northwest Regional Planning Commission, told Sandy that they are working on a region-wide sidewalk inventory. It may take several years to complete but that South Hero is a priority. This inventory will be a good resource for determining future needs and locations. The inventory will be synced with GIS mapping capabilities that will provide large-scale printed maps, possibly by the end of the year. Although NRPC does not have the ability to provide large-scale pedestrian planning assistance, they will be able to provide maps to support the Town’s efforts.
- Updating Development Regulations: The Commission is putting together a matrix of the technical changes/edits/clarifications to be considered first. These include required legislative changes required by the HOME Act (Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone) signed by the Governor in late-June 2023. Applicable sections include permitting duplexes to be the same as a single-family home throughout South Hero, changes to the minor subdivision review process, and whether the reduction in the number of required parking spaces apples to seasonal conversions and short-term rentals. Other technical changes/corrections include regulations related to stormwater, removing requirements for Letters of Intent from VTrans for subdivisions and site plan reviews on RTs 2 and 314, earth resource extraction locations, calculating greenspace vs. imperious surface, clarifying fence heights, ADA accessibility structures exemptions, clarifying setback waiver language, seasonal conversions, and definitions related to watercraft.
New Business
- Harwood asked that a discussion on short-term rental be added to a future agenda. This will be added to the November 1, 2023 PC agenda.
Approve Minutes from October 4, 2023
Don Bedard moved to approve the minutes from October 4, 2023; S. Gregg second. All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
- ZA Martha Taylor-Varney and S. Gregg attended a webinar on Oct 17 presented by Vermont League of Cities and Towns explaining how applicable sections of the HOME Act affect the existing zoning bylaws in South Hero.
- Martha will be out of town for the November 15 PC meeting.
- Martha will warn the Planning Commission’s Nov 29 public hearing and the Selectboard’s Dec. 11 public hearing on the proposed Regulations changes/corrections in time to appear in the Islander no sooner than 15 days before each hearing.
Announcements
- Meeting House – no report
- Town Office committee – no report
- Wastewater Committee – Harwood reported that the wastewater committee has identified 2 sites as possible locations with appropriate soil for community wastewater locations – Allenholm Farm and Kamp Ta Kumta. Test pits have not yet been dug. Land Trust restrictions may limit what can be done at Allenholm. There are no restrictions on the Allenholm property on the east side of South St. Since there is no defined plan yet, the committee is not moving forward for funding until a viable project has been identified. Inquiries about the project should be directed to George Harwood, Bob Buermann, or Bob Krebs at this time.
There was additional discussion by S. Gregg about creating a housing inventory in South Hero, to identify the number of single-family homes, two-family and multi-family homes, seasonal camps, and short-term rentals in South Hero. This will be discussed with the Selectboard at a future SB meeting.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be November 1, 2023 at 6PM at the Town Office.
Adjournment
- Harwood 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 motons were unanimous unless otherwise indicated.