TOWN OF HINESBURG
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Approved June 4, 2003
Commission Members Present: Jean Isham, Fred Haulenbeek, Joe Iadanza, John Mace, John Buckingham, Carrie Fenn, George Bedard, Nancy Norris, Deb Howard.
Commission Members Absent: none
Also Present: Alex Weinhagen (Town Planner).
Minutes of the May 7, 2003 Meeting:
George MOVED to approve the May 7, 2003 meeting minutes. Carrie SECONDED the motion. The motion PASSED 9-0.
Announcements and Citizens
to be Heard:
Alex discussed the walkable communities workshop to be held on June 5. Invitations were sent out a couple weeks ago, and Alex asked who was planning on attending. Carrie plans to attend. Other Commissioners were interested but had conflicts. Deb and Jean asked Alex to get extra copies of any handouts to share with other Commissioners.
Alex reminded the Commission of a Planning and Zoning workshop being held by the VLCT on June 11, 2003. The focus is home occupations, nonconforming uses, and noncomplying structures.
Carrie extended an invitation for Commissioners to attend the June 9 Conservation Commission meeting to view a 20 minute video on stream bank conservation. The video will be followed by discussion on this topic. Carrie also mentioned that the June 23 Conservation Commission meeting will include a watershed discussion.
Zoning District Adjustment Request – Industrial II District (Iroquois):
Alex explained that Iroquois Manufacturing is seeking to expand their operations on Richmond Road. They would like to build a building, approximately 75’x200’, on the North side of the road to be used for assembly of their products (truck bodies, etc.). In order to accomplish this, they need the Industrial II Zoning District enlarged slightly to the West to include a parcel they already own. Currently, the business operates in fairly tight quarters, and the expansion would allow them to increase production efficiency. It would also allow them to better screen finished product and parts behind the new building on the North side of the road. Alex spoke with Sean Lyman, of Iroquois Manufacturing, and Sean indicated that they would like to begin construction within 6 months.
Alex asked the Commission what they thought about this idea. The Commission discussed the idea and agreed to consider it. However, the Commission would like to discuss the proposal with both Iroquois and abutting landowners at the Commission’s July 2 meeting. Depending on the outcome of this meeting, the Commission felt this Zoning District change could be incorporated with the Zoning and Subdivision “housekeeping” changes, which could be sent to the Selectboard for approval in late July or early August. Various Commissioners wanted to make sure that incorporating this change doesn’t negatively impact the passage of the “housekeeping” changes that the Commission has been working on since last year. Alex will contact Sean Lyman, and tell him about the July 2 meeting. Although Alex will send out invitations to abutting landowners regarding the July 2 meeting, the Commission felt that Iroquois should be encouraged to contact these landowners ahead of time to bring them up to speed.
Town Plan Revision Project:
The Commission discussed the need for a vision statement to set the tone at the beginning of the new Town Plan. Jean asked Alex to obtain a copy of the Essex Town Plan, as she knows they recently revised their Plan, which includes a vision statement.
Each Commissioner discussed their ideas for a vision statement. Alex has compiled written versions of these ideas, prepared by each Commissioner, and will distribute this to the Commission. Jean felt that there were a lot of common ideas expressed. Alex suggested that we keep the focus of the vision statement on general themes, and leave specific areas or projects to be taken up in the body of the Plan. George suggested that the Commission return to the actual vision statement drafting after doing some work on the body of the Plan. Jean concurred with this idea, and said the Commission could assign someone to work on the actual wording later.
The Commission discussed a tentative table of contents for the revised Plan. Many Commissioners commented that the existing Plan was too long and too verbose. Because of this, they felt that the real message of the Plan was difficult to find and understand. Jean suggested that the preface sections could be eliminated. Jean, John Buckingham, and others, suggested that the History section be eliminated or shortened, and if shortened, it should include some mention of recent (last 100 years) history. Alex suggested that some history on Hinesburg Industrial and Agricultural uses would be useful to help frame discussions and recommendations. John Buckingham recommended eliminating section 4 on “Hinesburg Today”, and focusing on recommendations (section 5). Alex said recommendations should be backed up with reasons/evidence, and this could come incorporation of relevant portions of section 4.
The Commission reviewed the existing Plan’s table of contents as well as the list of required elements from state statute. Joe recommended dividing the Plan into sections by overall use – i.e., Village, Commercial/Industrial, Rural Residential, Agricultural. Joe suggested that many recommendations would fall into one of these “use” sections. Other sections would cover town-wide issues – i.e., Natural Resources, Transportation, Utility/Municipal Facilities, Schools.
Jean suggested that Alex or David Spitz complete a separate section on coordination with adjacent municipalities and the regional Plan, as required by statute. Alex said this would be a good way to familiarize himself with adjacent municipal plans. Alex also agreed to create a draft table of contents based on the discussion, and distribute it prior to the June 4 meeting.
Other Business:
The Commission discussed the Selectboard’s efforts to create a sewer service area. Options presented at the May 19, 2003 Selectboard meeting were shared with the Commission. The CCRPC will assist the Town by running build-out scenarios for possible sewer service areas. George felt areas East of the Village should be examined. John Buckingham felt that the West Side Road area should be explored. Jean felt the area South of the Village to Buck Hill Road should also be included.
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________________ ___________
Alex Weinhagen, Town Planner Date