TOWN OF HINESBURG

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

October 20, 2004

Approved November 3, 2004

Commission Members Present: Jean Isham (Chair), Carrie Fenn, John Buckingham, Joe Iadanza, George Bedard, Nancy Norris, Johanna White, Daniel Greller.

Commission Members Absent: Fred Haulenbeek.

Also Present: Alex Weinhagen (Town Planner)

The meeting began at approximately 7:30pm.

Act 115-Chapter 117 Changes Preview:

Alex explained that Title 24, Chapter 117 of the State statute that governs local planning and zoning was changed substantially when Act 115 was signed into law this spring. The new chapter 117 language gives municipalities more flexibility in a number of areas. The new statutory language was in place as of July 1, 2004; however, the most significant portions of the law go into effect on September 1, 2005. These most significant portions of the law will supercede our local zoning and subdivision provisions if ours are not in compliance on September 1, 2005. Municipalities have until 2011 to come into compliance with the remaining portions of the new law.

Some of those “most significant” portions of the new law include:

· Existing small lots merger option – The Town now gets to decide if existing small lots that come into common ownership should be merged.

· Rules of procedure & conflict of interest – The Commission and the DRB must adopt these rules.

· Subdivision plat filing time – The filing time has been extended from 90 to 180 days.

· Accessory Dwellings/Apartments – The Town cannot keep our arbitrary caps (600 & 1000 sq. feet) on accessory apartments. The new cap will be tied to the size of the primary dwelling, and will be no less than 30%.

All the regional planning commissions have been charged with providing education/training to local commissions, staff, and boards on the new legislation. The legislature appropriated $250,000 for this training. The CCRPC will be visiting Hinesburg some time in November or December, and again in the late spring to provide this training.

CCRPC Housing Task Force Update – Hinesburg’s Housing Goals:

Alex explained that the CCRPC Housing Task Force has been meeting for the last 18 months to develop housing goals or targets for the county and each municipality. Alex said that Rocky was Hinesburg’s representative on this committee. At this point, Hinesburg’s housing target is 299 new units between 2000-2010. Of these 299 units, the task force recommends 30 be moderate-income housing and 30 be affordable housing.

The Commission discussed the targets as well as the remaining wastewater capacity for the Town’s wastewater treatment facility.

Minutes of the October 7, 2004 Meeting:

George MOVED to approve the October 7, 2004 meeting minutes as amended. John SECONDED the motion. The motion PASSED 8-0.

Other Business & Announcements:

Visibility Analysis Map:

Alex said that he spoke to Judy Bond with GrassRoots GIS, and she will provide the digital data and the digital map along with a hard copy of the map, should we decide to do the update (see October 7, 2004 minutes). He also said that based on advice from both Judy and Harry Rousch (State orthophoto mapping coordinator), he feels we should wait until the new orthophotos and digital elevation data is delivered in January. Alex said the old analysis had a resolution of 60 meters by 60 meters, whereas, the new digital data will be at a resolution of 3x3 meters. Alex said Bill Marks is amenable to waiting until the new data is available. Alex said Judy will do another cost estimate at that time, based on the small amount of additional work involved in using the new data.

November 3 Meeting Agenda:

Jean asked the Commission if they wanted to meet on November 3 given that the Commission is still waiting for the Selectboard to adopt the Town Plan before starting work on zoning revisions. John and Carrie felt the Commission should still meet. Jean noted that it is budget time, and that the Selectboard will be discussing the budget for Planning & Zoning on December 20. She recommended the Commission discuss this at the next meeting, and asked Alex to include information on the current year’s budget and expenditures in the meeting packet.

George MOVED to adjourn. Carrie SECONDED the motion. The motion PASSED 8-0. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:40pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

___________________________________/____________

Alex Weinhagen, Town Planner Date