TOWN OF HINESBURG
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Approved September 17, 2003
Commission Members Present: Jean Isham (Chair), Fred Haulenbeek, Nancy Norris, Joe Iadanza, John Buckingham, Carrie Fenn, John Mace, George Bedard (arrived 7:50pm).
Commission Members Absent: Deb Howard.
Also Present: Alex Weinhagen (Town Planner), Marty Illick (LCA), Kristen Underwood (LCA), Steve Button, George Dameron, George & Karla Munson.
Minutes of the August 20, 2003 Meeting:
Fred MOVED to approve the minutes of the August 20, 2003 meeting. John Buckingham SECONDED the motion. The motion PASSED 7-0.
Announcements and Citizens
to be Heard:
There were no announcements or citizens to be heard. Those citizens at the meeting were there to discuss the Town Plan.
Municipal Planning Grant Proposal – with Lewis Creek Association:
Marty Illick explained that the Lewis Creek Association (LCA) is applying for a municipal planning grant (from VT Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs), jointly with the Town of Charlotte, and would like Hinesburg to join as a co-applicant. She is seeking Planning Commission and Selectboard endorsement. Marty explained that the project involves an analysis of the amount of impervious surface in Hinesburg. Impervious surfaces are those that water cannot easily penetrate (e.g., roofs, roads, parking lots, etc.), and therefore, they are one of the most important factors when considering stormwater runoff. In fact, state stormwater permits are largely based on the amount of impervious surface a project will create. Stormwater runoff is closely tied to overall water quality since the amount of runoff and how it is handled have an direct impact on the amount of sediment, nutrients, and pollutants entering our streams and lakes. With that in mind, the results of this project should provide the Town with an important tool to better plan for stormwater runoff and overall water quality in Hinesburg. At the very least, it will provide the Town with useful baseline data that can be viewed and combined with other GIS data for local and regional planning. The expected project completion date is May 2005.
Alex gave his endorsement to the proposal, and clarified that the project and grant application require NO matching funds from the Town! The Town’s only contribution will be a very limited (10-20 hours) amount of Alex’s time to assist with coordination and to provide input. Actual project work and grant management will primarily be the responsibility of the LCA. Given how busy the Planning Commission and Alex are with the Town Plan revision and regulation changes, this joint project with the LCA represents the only viable Municipal Planning Grant project we could apply for this year.
Fred asked for some examples of impervious surfaces. Kristen explained and gave additional technical details. Carrie MOVED that the Commission endorse the project, and that the Town join as a co-applicant. John Mace SECONDED the motion. The motion PASSED 8-0.
Town Plan Revision – Village Landuse ~ Goals & Objectives:
Alex and Fred presented their outlines of the goals and recommendations for the Village. The goals and recommendations addressed a number of Village issues above and beyond strictly landuse. There was general discussion of the first goal related to utilizing the greater village area as the Town’s growth center. There was consensus that some village zoning district expansion was warranted. George Bedard and David indicated that recommendation 1d related to the transfer of development rights (TDR) concept was premature given town sewer constraints and available land in the Village district.
There was some interest in the third goal related to the maintenance of a distinct village edge. The Commission discussed the pros and cons of creating a separate “village edge” zoning district. There was general agreement on goals 4-6 on Route 116, overall traffic flow, and pedestrian access. Steve Button gave the Commission more information on the Town sewer treatment plant capacity, current usage, and expansion plans (addressed in goal 7). It was clear that the Commission needs additional information on this topic to better understand potential future growth. There was consensus that sewer availability will be the biggest factor driving growth in the Village area, and that the Commission must analyze this issue carefully. Alex will pull together more background information on the town sewer capacity, usage, and sewer service area. Alex said the effort to redefine the sewer service area is ongoing, and he will have more to report soon. David said it is critical that the Commission take an active role in the setting of the new sewer service area.
George Dameron discussed his concerns about pedestrian and overall traffic safety in the village. He said the village center is not safe for pedestrians and is not walkable. He feels the safety issue is a crisis that needs both short and long term solutions. He has approached the Selectboard regarding possible short-term solutions, but was not satisfied by their response. He feels that goals 4-6 are very important, and that he largely agrees with the recommendations. However, he said it was imperative that these be directly tied to goal 1 related to the village as a growth center. He feels that unless traffic and pedestrian safety issues are addressed, the village cannot properly function as a growth center. He feels these issues must be addressed simultaneously.
David shared the following observations with the Commission:
· We need to have hard numbers on the town sewer immediately.
· The Commission must be fully involved in town sewer planning (e.g., service area) with the Selectboard.
· The suggested expansion of the village district northward to Patrick Brook is not necessarily a minor step, depending on available sewer resources.
· The Commission must be sure it understands wetland areas in the village area, as these are very real constraints to growth.
· More specific recommendations should be made on goals 2-7. Some of these can come directly from existing studies (e.g., Route 116 Scoping Study).
· The 5-year timeframe mentioned in goal 8 should be shortened so that results can be realized sooner.
George Munson was disappointed that the recommendations did not advocate the creation of a central gathering place in the village. He said Bristol’s village has such a gathering place, and it adds greatly to village character. He said such a place could potentially be created on his 25-acre parcel on the West side of Route 116, opposite the Buck Hill Road intersection. He felt this area would be accessible from the school and could serve as central focal point for the village. Alex said the idea of a central gathering place (e.g., Town green/common) is good, but that the logical place for this seems like Lyman Meadows. Alex agreed that substantial work would be needed to make Lyman Meadows function in this capacity.
Alex and Fred will work on a 2nd draft of these goals for additional discussion at the October 1 meeting.
Town Plan Revision – Municipal Sewer & Water ~ Goals & Objectives:
Alex will present additional information on this topic for
the October 1 meeting, so that this topic can be discussed in greater depth at
that time. Alex hopes to have possible
sewer service areas and build-out information for that meeting.
Other Business:
None.
The meeting adjourned at 10pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________________ ___________
Alex Weinhagen, Town Planner Date