SOUTH HERO PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES September 6, 2023
Members Present: Sandy Gregg (Chair); Michele Gammal (Vice-Chair); David Roy; Don Bedard; George Harwood (via Zoom).
Others Present: Ilmar Vanderer; Tim Maxham; Martha Taylor-Varney (ZA)
6:00PM – S. Gregg called the meeting to order.
Changes to the Agenda
There were none.
Public Comment
Ilmar Vanderer owns a seasonal home at 28 Sunset View Rd. His parcel is on the north side of Sunset View and also includes a lot across RT 2, with frontage on Keeler Bay. The north boundary of this lot is the south boundary of Keeler Bay Village Zoning District. The Vanderer lot is in the Shoreland Zoning District. Mr. Vanderer asked the Commission to consider expanding the Keeler Bay Village Zoning District further south to include his properties on both sides of RT 2. He said he was in support of the concept of village districts. D. Roy explained that commercial development in the village areas had been the Commission’s guide when determining the boundaries of the Keeler Bay village district. S. Gregg said that the recently approved Town Plan maps show proposed village neighborhood and village core areas for both villages. G. Harwood thanked Mr. Vanderer for participating and giving the Commission his suggestion. Tim Maxham predicted that there will be a lot of pushbacks to enlarging either of the village districts.
- Gammal told the Commission that this year’s Weekend in the Islands is scheduled for October 7 and 8. South Hero’s contribution of $500 will go towards the expenses and advertising for the free Ventriloquist show at Folsom by Al Getler on October 7 at 4pm. Donations from the show will benefit SHFD. The commission discussed ways to promote this show as it will not be able to be put on the witi website (www.weekendintheislands.org).
Old Business
There was none.
New Business – Begin Discussion on Updating the Development Regulations to align with the new Town Plan
Discussion centered on updating the regulations to reflect recently passed legislation – H.O.M.E. Act, changes to Accessory Dwelling Unit requirements, and changes to Site Plan requirements related to VTrans – and planned updates to the 2 village districts to further divide them into village core and village neighborhood districts. M. Gammal asked what other parts of the regulations will be affected by the mandatory updates? Tables 2.1 (Allowed Uses) and 2.2 (Dimensional Standards) will need updating. The Commission will need to comb through the regulations to make sure that all related sections are covered. The legislative changes are mandatory, and some are already in effect, but the Commission is still required to follow the update requirements, including both Planning Commission and Selectboard public hearings. Tim Maxham suggested presenting these to the voters first at the March 2024 Town Meeting since they are easy. The deadline for public hearings on these can be completed by the end of the year, allowing tine to have town meeting articles prepared by the January deadline. Public discussion on the village districts can begin soon but the planned vote for this can be scheduled for the August 2024 Primary Election to allow for the time needed for the necessary public discussions and meetings.
Approve Minutes of the August 2, 2023 PC Meeting
- Bedard moved to approve the minutes of August 2, 2023; G. Harwood second. All in favor.
Administrator’s Report
ZA Martha Taylor-Varney updated the Commission on a speed study conducted by Northwest Regional Planning on Hochelaga Rd. The speed limit on the road is currently 35mph. The Town had received numerous complaints about speeding vehicles, mostly associated with the YWCA Camp Hochelaga – employees, vendors, parents delivering/picking up campers, etc. The request was to reduce the speed limit to 25mph. The Town is required to conduct a speed study before any changes to speed limits on Town roads. The study was conducted recently. Martha will contact NRPC to see when results may be available.
Announcements
- S. Gregg attended a Zoom meeting on ‘Designation 2050 – Local Perspective’, presented by Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development. Sandy expects that there will be major changes to the Village and Town Designations. The changes may include expanding beyond the current emphasis on historic preservation.
- S. Gregg also announced that the South Hero Meeting House Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 12 at 2PM at the Worthen Library.
Next Meeting
The September 20, 2023 PC meeting will host a representative from VTrans to discuss Class 1 Highway designation for portions of US RT 2 through South Hero. The Selectboard and other Commissions, in addition to the public, have been invited and are encouraged to attend. S. Gregg will put information about the meeting on the Town website, Front Porch Forum, and the South Hero Face Book page. The meeting will be at the Town Office at 6PM.
Adjournment
7:04 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.