September 3, 2025 PC Minutes

SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISION MINUTES                           September 3, 2025

 

 

Members Present: David Roy (Chair); Don Bedard (Vice-Chair); Michele Gammal; Joan Falcao

Member Absent: Brook Scott

Others Present: Matha Taylor-Varney (ZA)

 

6:02 PM – D. Roy called the meeting to order.

 

Changes to the Agenda

There were no changes.

 

Public Comment

No Public attended.

 

Old Business

1. Continue discussion on South St./Lavin property multi-modal path – Status of the Town-wide map showing existing and proposed trails/paths is pending.
2. Definitions – Continue Discussion – Average natural grade and pre-construction grade: Roy gave the Board an updated draft that included draft language referencing the alteration of existing grade.  Should this include a reference to when site plan review is required?  Under the definition of ‘Building Height’, the Commission discussed from where to measure height – to the highest point of the structure or calculating the average height of the roof surface (J. Falcao said that, as written, this could add 4 to 5 feet to the height of a structure).  It was decided to continue determining height from the highest point of the structure, using a mathematical average of the pre-construction grade of each of the 4 principal corners (minimum).  Who will determine the height – engineer, surveyor, architect, builder?  A final draft will be completed and prepared for the DRB to have an opportunity to read them and comment on the additions/changes from current regulations.
3. Additional report on Featherbed Lane/RT 2 scoping study: Nothing to report.

 

Approve Minutes of August 20, 2025

D. Bedard moved to approve the minutes of August 20, 2025, as presented; M. Gammal second. All in favor.

 

 

Administrator’s Report

1. Martha will not be at the meeting on September 17, 2025. Bedard will host the Zoom meeting.  Another member will need to take minutes that night.
2. Martha asked the Commission if they would consider the DRB’s request to redefine measuring setback distances from the eaves of a structure (current) to the walls of the structure, while giving the DRB the ability to use the eaves measurement in cases where the distances are tight (for example, in some setback waiver applications). The Commission agreed to consider a change.  Martha will provide draft changes to the PC for their next meeting.

 

Announcements

1. Meeting House – no report.
2. Town Office – no report.

 

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on September 17, 2025 at 6PM at the Town Office.

 

Adjournment

J. Falcao moved to adjourn; D. Bedard second. All in favor.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Martha Taylor-Varney, ZA

 

 

Sighed: __________________________________________ Date: _________________________

For the Planning Commission

 

These minutes are unofficial until approved at the next regularly scheduled meeting.  All motions were unanimous unless otherwise indicated.