TOWN OF HINESBURG
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Approved February 4, 2004
Commission Members Present: Jean Isham (Chair), Joe Iadanza, John Buckingham, Carrie Fenn, Deb Howard, Fred Haulenbeek, John Mace, Nancy Norris.
Commission Members Absent: George Bedard.
Also Present: Alex Weinhagen (Town Planner), Wayne Bissonette, Bill Marks.
The meeting began at approximately 7:40pm.
Minutes of the January 7, 2003 Meeting:
Carrie MOVED to approve the January 7, 2004 meeting minutes, as amended. Fred SECONDED the motion. The motion PASSED 8-0.
Town Plan Revision – Commercial/Industrial Landuse &
Economic Development:
Jean and John Buckingham reviewed their recommendations on Commercial/Industrial landuse and economic development. They decided to combine these 2 sections given how related they are. Carrie, and other Commissioners, suggested adding a recommendation that the Town encourage utility providers to extend 3-phase power to the Industrial 1 district. Minor wording changes were also suggested for recommendation #6 & 7. Recommendation #2 was modified to say, “Encourage commercial expansion within the core of economic activity within and surrounding the village district.”
Town Plan Revision – Natural Resources:
John Mace described the objectives and recommendations for the new Natural Resources section that attempts to combine natural resources, agricultural landuse and forest landuse sections. John Mace, Deb, Carrie, and Jean have been working together on this effort. John Mace said that very little of what is now proposed is new. Most of it is language or concepts from the current Plan, simply with some reorganization. He said the reorganization separates the natural environment from the human impacts on it.
He said that the current Plan mentions multiple overlay districts, and that the new recommendation is to create one comprehensive overlay district. Another recommendation is to create an open space plan. John recommends keeping the LESA recommendation from the current Plan, but actually provide a framework to do it.
He said that all of this is based on 3 basic assumptions: 1) the population keeps growing; 2) there are parts of the Town that the community wants to protect; 3) Hinesburg’s current zoning encourages fragmentation and we don’t want that to happen across the whole Town. There are 2 major recommendations to address these issues. First of all, create a conservation overlay district where no residential, commercial, or industrial uses are allowed, and other uses are conditional. This overlay district would initially include State and Town owned lands, water bodies, existing stream setbacks, and other areas currently off limits to development. Secondly, create a conservation buffer overlay district where underlying uses are permitted, but at lower densities. This overlay district would likely be empty at first, but would eventually include connections or corridors between large tracts in the other overlay district.
John Mace also described a method to assess land suitability and value with regard to natural resources and development. The goals are to: 1) help identify what goes into the aforementioned overlay districts, 2) assess the suitability of lands for development, 3) give the DRB better information on what natural resources are truly important. By assessing land attributes (primarily physical) and community values, the method will help: 1) establish the value of a particular parcel for agriculture, forestry, recreation, wildlife habitat, and water quality; 2) assess the suitability for residential, community, industrial, municipal development. The goal is to have the method in place within 5 years. He went on to explain 10 specific steps or recommendations to accomplish this goal.
He also said we should be investigating ways to compensate landowners for areas that fall into the overlay districts. Wayne and Fred agreed that this was important. John Mace also said that the classification system should be challengeable by landowners. Fred expressed concern about placing a burden on landowners to prove they should be able to develop their land. Bill said the Town should be careful to avoid going so far as to constitute a “taking”. Joe expressed concern about public perception and potential negative reaction to perceived restrictions.
John Mace, Deb, Carrie, and Jean will continue working on this section and will present it again at the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:00pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
______________________________ ___________
Alex Weinhagen, Town Planner Date