TOWN OF HINESBURG

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

February 19, 2003

Approved March 5, 2003

Commission Members Present: Jean Isham (Chair), Joe Iadanza, John Buckingham, Nancy Norris, George Bedard, Carrie Fenn (arrived at 9:00pm), John Mace, Fred Haulenbeek

Commission Members Absent: Will Patten

Also Present: Alex Weinhagen (Town Planner), Richard Palmer

The meeting began at approximately 7:30pm.

Minutes of the January 29 and February 5, 2003 Meetings:

George MOVED to approve the minutes of the January 29 and February 5, 2003 meetings. John Mace SECONDED the motion. The motion PASSED 7-0.

Announcements and Citizens to be Heard:

Alex reported on the following matters:

• The Selectboard has appointed Rocky Martin as the Town’s representative to the CCRPC’s Local Housing Supply Goals Task Force. Alex will be sure to work with Rocky to keep the Commission informed of the Task Force’s progress.
• Legislation has been introduced in Montpelier to revise state statutes related to municipal and regional planning and development (i.e., Chapter 117 of Title 24). This legislation is the culmination of 2 years work by a coalition of planners, developers, attorneys, etc. The aim is to reorganize and update the State enabling legislation regarding local zoning and subdivision bylaws. The bill number is H.179 (companion Senate Bill S.92), and the text is available on the State’s legislative web site at www.leg.state.vt.us. There will be a public hearing on this legislation on February 27 from 6-8pm in Room 10 of the Statehouse. Alex will attend a workshop on H.179 on 2/21 sponsored by the VT Planners Association. There is also a public hearing on H.179 scheduled for 2/27 from 6-8pm in room 10 of the statehouse. Alex also plans to attend this hearing. Legislation has also been introduced regarding permit and Act 250 reform. Alex will try to keep up to speed on these bills and update the Commission. Alex will e-mail Commissioners with instructions on how to subscribe to the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) weekly legislative update.
• A letter from George and Karla Munson requesting a change in the zoning districts to allow condos on their property on the corner of Buck Hill Rd and Route 116. Staff are recommending taking up this idea during the Town Plan public forums, and addressing zoning district changes after the new Town Plan is adopted. Jean expressed support for this option.
• Input from the Conservation Commission on the LaPlatte and issues related to the Grabowski/Lyman development proposal.
• The upcoming Town Officers’ Education Conference on April 21 at St. Michael’s College in Colchester. Jean asked Alex to include the conference agenda and registration material in the packet for the next Commission meeting.

Town Plan Revision Project:

John presented preliminary results for the town-wide community survey. The results were based on data from 169 surveys. Alex noted that there are approximately 100 more surveys to be entered. John showed numerical and percentage results for all questions. He also passed around poster size printouts detailing comments made by survey respondents. The Commission briefly discussed the results of each question. John will present final results at a future Commission meeting once the remaining surveys have been entered. The final results will also be presented/displayed at the public forums.

The Commission discussed possible topics for the 2 April forums. Alex suggested one on natural resources. John Buckingham suggested one with a more open ended agenda to allow citizens to speak out on whatever issue was important to them. George suggested having an ANR presenter that could address current levels of protection for natural resources, especially wetlands and waterways. Alex mentioned that the Lewis Creek Association is interested in presenting. Jean reiterated her interest in seeing someone with forestry skills make a presentation. Unfortunately, Mike Snyder, the Chittenden County Forester, cannot make any of the forum dates. Jean recommended contacting Faith for additional suggestions.

The 1^st forum on March 10 will focus on Village Growth issues. The 2^nd forum on March 25 was to focus on rural or town-wide growth issues. The Commission felt that the 2^nd forum should include more education related to rural area issues - i.e., more presentations on natural resources. Fred suggested the 3^rd forum on April 8 could then follow up on this with a discussion of possible solutions to the challenges facing Hinesburg’s rural areas – e.g., area based zoning, overlay districts, conservation, etc. This would leave the final forum on April 29 for “bringing it all together”; sort of a wrap up, with discussion of objectives and goals for the new Plan along with some discussion of the existing Plan.

Alex reviewed the format that he and David Spitz have discussed for the 1^st forum. This would include a casual 20 minute session at the beginning to allow people to look at informational displays specific to the forum that would be set up around the room. The Commission discussed who would be responsible for each display. The displays will include: Survey results (John Mace), Route 116 Scoping Study (hopefully Andrea Morgante), Sewer Service Area (Rocky Martin), Current Village Area (George), Recreation Path (Jeanne Wilson or John Trefry), West Side Road Feasibility Project (John Buckingham), Objectives and Goals of Current Town Plan (Alex). We will also need greeters at the door to welcome attendees and tell them the format for the meeting. Nancy, Joe, and Carrie volunteered for this duty. Jean volunteered to take care of preparing and setting up the dessert and drinks table.

Zoning and Subdivision Regulation Changes:

The Commission discussed proposed language changes to the following sections of the Zoning Bylaw:

· 5.4.1 #3e – Temporary construction signs

· Definitions Section:

Ø Kennel

Ø Land filling and excavation

Ø Lot, Existing

Ø Structure or Building

· 5.15 – Conversion of part-time dwellings or camps

· 5.2 – Cottage Industries and larger home occupations

· 2.6 – Lot and structure requirement

· 6.0 – Flood Hazard Area (various sections)

These changes are based on a list of “housekeeping” revisions and clarifications developed by Faith Ingulsrud (previous town planner) and Peter Erb (Zoning Administrator). Joe and George led the Commission through the revised language that George had developed for these sections. The Commission will complete its first pass through the Subdivision Bylaw at the next meeting. Alex indicated that he and Peter have been working on a list of additional changes that need to be considered. Jean asked Alex to refine that list and include it with the next Commission packet, so Commissioners can be thinking about this sooner rather than later. Alex will work on compiling all the Zoning Bylaw changes that have been discussed to date. He hopes to have this complete for the March 19 meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:40pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

______________________________/____________

Alex Weinhagen Date