TOWN OF HINESBURG
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Approved October 1, 2003
Commission Members Present: Jean Isham (Chair), Fred Haulenbeek, Nancy Norris, Joe Iadanza, John Buckingham, Carrie Fenn, John Mace, George Bedard, Deb Howard.
Commission Members Absent: None.
Also Present: Alex Weinhagen (Town Planner), David Lyman, Tom Lyman, Peter Mead, George & Karla Munson.
Minutes of the September 3, 2003 Meeting:
Fred MOVED to approve the minutes of the September 3, 2003 meeting. John Buckingham SECONDED the motion. The motion PASSED 9-0.
Public Hearing on Proposed Zoning & Subdivision Regulation Changes:
Jean opened the public hearing on the proposed Zoning and Subdivision Regulation changes. The following Subdivision Regulation changes were discussed:
· Sketch Plan Review, 4.1.5 - Alex said that both the Selectboard and the DRB were opposed to changing sketch plan review from a formal approval/denial to a less formal review (i.e., with no approval/denial). Alex still felt this was a good change, but said it wasn’t worth making if the other boards had concerns. There was consensus from the Commission that this change should be dropped.
· Enforcement, 9.3 – George Bedard said the language is problematic in that people who enter into purchase and sales agreements prior to subdivision approval would be in violation. George Bedard said this is a customary practice. Jean agreed, and suggested the Commission drop the words “…or agrees to sell or transfer…” from the section. There was consensus from the Commission to make this change.
The following Zoning Regulation changes were discussed:
· Camp Definition, 9.1 – Carrie asked for clarification on the new camp definition and the new date that was added. The Commission reviewed the rationale for the change. George Munson said having the right date is critical since the camp definition was introduced, later dropped, then re-introduced into the Zoning Regulations. The Commission agreed that the appropriate date would be when the camp (i.e., part-time dwelling, camp) definition last went into the Zoning Regulations, and stayed there. Alex will consult with Peter Erb, and ensure that the correct date is used.
· Dead Storage, 3.11.2 – Carrie suggested switching dead storage from a permitted to a conditional use in the Shoreline Zoning District. After some discussion, the rest of the Commission agreed.
· PUD Open Space, 4.5.9 – Previously, Carrie had suggested increasing required open space in PUDs from 10% to 15%. After some discussion, the Commission agreed to leave it at 10%.
· Campground roads, 5.21.4 #4 – The Commission agreed to delete the reference to minimum standards for campground collector roads. The existing regulations included no standards (likely a typo) to go with the requirement, and the Commission felt none were needed.
· Temporary signs, 5.4.1 #3 – The Commission concurred with Peter Erb’s earlier suggestion to allow temporary signs, under section b,c,d, to be located off-site.
· Pool fencing, 5.8.1 #3 – The Commission concurred with Peter Erb’s earlier suggestion regarding enforcement problems with the proposed pool fencing language. The Commission dropped this language.
· Abandonment, 5.17 – The Commission discussed Peter Erb’s earlier suggestion to modify the Abandonment section. After some discussion, the Commission agreed that this change, although worth considering, would require careful legal considerations. This change will be discussed the next time the Zoning Regulations are revised.
· Mobile home replacement, 5.20.12 – The Commission discussed Peter Erb’s concerns about this section, which is a completely new section allowing greater flexibility when replacing mobile homes. The Commission felt the section was warranted, but addressed Peter’s concerns about camps by adding language to exclude the Shoreline District.
· Manufactured home sales, 3.6.3 #12 – The Commission discussed Peter Erb’s concerns about adding manufactured home and recreational vehicle sales as a conditional use to the Industrial 1 Zoning District. The Commission agreed to add this use.
· Production/processing of dairy products – George Munson asked about the addition of this use to many of the Zoning Districts. He felt this use should be permitted and that it is regulated by the State not the Town. Fred and Joe explained that this use covers processing facilities rather than farms, which are exempt from local zoning. Joe explained that the existing regulations don’t specifically allow dairy processing facilities anywhere but the Industrial 3 district.
· Typo – John Mace noted that the above section on dairy processing incorrectly spells milk.
Jean closed the public hearing. Carrie MOVED to approve the proposed changes and forward them to the Selectboard for action. Joe SECONDED the motion. The motion PASSED 9-0.
Announcements and Citizens
to be Heard:
Alex made a number of announcements: Silver Street Scoping Study meeting; Eddy Farm, VLT Conservation Project; Isham Farm, VLT Conservation Project; NRG net metering proposal; VLCT training calendar; VT Smartgrowth Conference.
Carrie shared the new results of the regional build-out analysis. The CCRPC updated the results based on the new septic technical standards passed in 2002. Alex will make copies of the revised results for the Commission.
Town Plan Revision – Transportation ~ Goals & Objectives:
Joe presented the transportation outline that he and Deb developed. Joe and Deb divided transportation issues into functional categories. The outline then discussed problem areas, and finally goals and recommendations for each category.
Nancy advocated improvements to some class 4 roads to improve road connectivity throughout town. She felt this was only fair, since the Town encourages developers to create interconnected roads. Carrie & Nancy said that recommendation #4 under arterial highways (turning lane at Lantman’s IGA) would likely make this area less safe, especially for pedestrians crossing Route 116. Alex said recommendation #7 under arterial highways (tree/traffic calming outside village) may not work as many traffic calming techniques are less effective in rural settings. Jean said recommendation #8 under arterial highways is probably not needed as this is just an enforcement issue. Jean said that recommendation #1 under local arteries was good, but that a park and ride on Silver Street should be further South into Monkton (perhaps Monkton Ridge) rather than at the Hinesburg/Monkton town line. This may be an opportunity to work with neighboring towns. The Commission discussed recommendation #1 under rural town roads. George Munson and George Bedard said maintenance issues on some roads (e.g., hill roads) make paving necessary. The Commission discussed recommendation #1 under rural town roads. Deb and Joe noted that significant opposition to paving the hill roads was expressed at Town Meeting and at the Town Plan community forums. Deb argued that more research is needed into the pros and cons of paving as well as possible alternatives. Deb maintained that this issue is very divisive, and that the Commission should recommend a more transparent decision making process when it comes to paving decisions. No consensus was reached on this recommendation as it was getting late.
The Commission agreed to modify the Town Plan work schedule so that the transportation discussion could be concluded at the next meeting. This will be the only substantive agenda item for the October 1 meeting. Alex will make the changes to the schedule.
Other Business:
None.
The meeting adjourned at 10:10pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________________ ___________
Alex Weinhagen, Town Planner Date