HINESBURG DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD

MINUTES OF MEETING APRIL 19, 2005

Approved May 3, 2005

Members present: Howdy Russell, George Munson, Tom McGlenn, Robert Gauthier, Lisa, Godfrey, Clint Emmons and Jessica Barber.

Staff member: Peter Erb

Members of the audience: Bruce & Maureen Corbett, Alex & Phyllis Rose, Dave Tary, Alan Norris, Catherine Goldsmith, Jeff Davis, Eric Johnson, Wayne Bissonette, George Dameron, Tom Hackett, Jeff Tobrocke, Karla Munson, Sally Mead, Tom Barden and Adam Provost.

MINUTES FROM 3/29: Corrections of adding the names to the motions. Robert motions to approve, George seconds this motion. It is unanimously approved.

MINUTES FROM 4/5: George motions to approve, Robert seconds this motion. It is unanimously approved. Jessica and Howdy abstain.

TAILHOOK TOWING: Draft approval. Applicants came before the Board for a conditional use approval. The property on Commerce St. is in the Commercial I zoning district. The applicants were in attendance at this meeting. The question regarding the number of vehicles to be housed in the parking lot still stands to be an issue. 25 seemed to be the understanding number of a variety of vehicles, wrecked or disabled. Parts vehicles won't be stored at this location. An actual number of wrecked vehicles and a number of parked vehicles is a viable option instead of having a blanket number of 25 as a variety of vehicles in this lot. #3 of the draft should state no more than 10 vehicles with visible damage may stored outside in lot and no more than 25 vehicles total kept overnight on the property.

Tom Motions to close the public hearing, Clint seconds this motion. A unanimous decision among the board.

Howdy Russell leaves.

NORRIS: Applicant is requesting a Preliminary Plat approval of a 1-lot, 9-unit PRD in the Village Zoning District. A site plan approval and conditional use approval also accompanies this. The public hearing is still in effect. The question of having the deciduous trees available for the town to maintain is still out there. There may need to an easement to the property for this maintenance. Mr. Norris will speak with Alex regarding a tree easement area. Also easements for the neighbors sewers who are going to cross his property need to be discussed and determinations made.

A concern was raised regarding excavation during construction. The neighbor’s barn near the property line is an old barn and excavation may disturb its foundation. Also the effects of the new swale on the neighbor below Norris. The new swale should drive the water away from the property. The neighbor’s property is already wet and lower than the Norris property. Discussion of the water level due to the LaPlatte River and the flood level added to the discussion of the proposal. Addressing the water level issue now will help with the concerns of future construction up river. The standards can be set with this property. A study has been done as part of this proposal. The engineer provided this with the plans. If there is a problem that occurs for future issues along the LaPlatte, the town should establish conditions and a study. Questions to consider would be what is the recourse? and What will trigger a study? It's a burden for the property owner to have to put this in place. Discussions from the previous meetings regarding this property finds that there is a sufficient plan in place for this project.

An add in to the facts regarding the trees along the neighbors property. The roots from these trees go over onto the Norris property. If the trees are used as screening for the subdivision than they should be maintained or possibly replaced if damaged or killed due to the construction of the drainage ditch.

Tom motions to close the site plan phase, George seconds this motions. It is a unanimous decision.

JEFF & JEAN DAVIS: Applicant is requesting a variance of front and rear yard setbacks as well as lot coverage in order to construct a new garage on Shadow Lane.

Tom motions to close the public hearing, Robert seconds this motion. A unanimous decision among the board.

The draft decision - George motions to accept the order/approval, Robert seconds this motion. A unanimous decision by the board.

BROWN: Eric Johnson attended with some concerns regarding the lake and the run off of this new construction. The Brown's were not in attendance.

George motions to continue 5/17, Robert seconds this motion. It is unanimous.

Chittenden South Supervisory Union (CVU): This is a first of several meetings reviewing final details of the CVU expansion project. The 3 issues tonight are as follows numbered in priority.

1. Fencing along the driveway and CVU Rd. for the baseball field. Fencing along the back side of the upper playing fields #6 & #7.

2. Event sign.

3. Scoreboards.

Fencing up on the #6 and #7 fields for safety of the players due to a very sharp decline in land along the back side of the field were injury can occur and also for the purpose of retaining sports equipment within the field perimeter. The proposed height of this fence is 6'. There are objections from the board regarding the height and the choice of fencing. The preferred choice is chain link. Esthetically this is undesirable to the board. The height of 6' is very high and the question of a lower fence instead is raised. The school claims that the 6' high fence is needed to keep kids from being able to jump the fence or fall over it if they are forced into the fence in a game capacity. As the upper fields house primarily Lacrosse, field hockey, soccer and the like this would more than likely happen. The amount of chain link needed for the upper fields is approximately 1200-1500 feet. Chain link is the best option financially but the board would like the school to include other options that are more pleasing to the eye or a way of disguising the chain link either with landscaping or some other type of covering.

The question of safety in the upper fields is raised, as this was not a part of the original proposal as a concern. When the field were constructed this should have been taken into consideration not now after the fact.

Spectators stand along the side of Pond Rd. but there is a swale and berm there that is wide enough to keep any spectators from going into the road.

A request for clearer plans of the fields and there actual playing areas, out of bounds areas, etc. from the board so they can better review the fencing issue.

The baseball field fencing request is for a 4' high fence, as the sport requires the players to use the fencing as a guide rather than a barrier. Also the sport is not as fast paced or active in field coverage. So the 4' high fence would be primarily for retaining the balls within the field area. As it stands now these balls when hit or thrown out they are traveling across the CVU Rd. and the players must cross this through traffic to retrieve the ball. This is a safety issue.

Again the issue of esthetics is brought to the board. Chain link is again the fence of choice and the discussion of disguising it someway is brought up. Landscaping ideas and so on. The fencing along the CVU driveway is not an issue as there will be a tree line and this will hide the fence substantially. However, since a bike path is going to be review along the CVU Rd. landscaping along the fence there may not be possible. 700 feet of fencing will be needed for the baseball field. The present fencing of "snow fence" is not a good option. This is flexible fencing and the players get caught up in it and have been getting cuts and entanglement. Plus the fence acts like a slingshot for the ball and throws is even farther in any directions again sometimes across the road.

The kids have been able to save $1500.00 for the new fencing and there has been $4500.00 in private funds raised. The cost is estimated is $4600.00 for the chain link fence and $8000.00 if the mesh barrier is applied. The mesh fabric is one of the options to try and make the fence more esthetically pleasing.

Images are requested by the board as to add in the visual effects of all of the fencing for them the make their decision. These to be provided by the next meeting for the school.

The event/school sign is to be native Vermont stone. Donated by parents of CVU. Low voltage lighting for sign as well.

Tom motions on conditions of approval for the event sign, Robert seconds this motion. It is a unanimous decision.

The scoreboards - 1. The softball field scoreboard stays as is. 2. The soccer field scoreboard stays as is. 3. The existing scoreboard by the baseball dug out to move to the east side of the "CVU" shrub on the side of the hill. 4. & 5. Existing unmounted scoreboards on the east and west up off the track building and the new building. The school has a contract with Coca Cola that must stay but when that contract runs out the school will not renew and the sign can be removed. 6. Board approved before November, a scoreboard in the Northern corner of the lower field. 7. Change from the 1st sign to locate to the mid-field on the upper field to the back in front of the maples. The height of the scoreboards is 6' to the bottom of the sign and 3' high.

A suggestion for portable signs is made. These were used at St.Mikes for the championship games. The difficulties of getting them up to the upper fields is an issue. A suggestion of using black screens when not in use is made again to conceal the effects to be more esthetically pleasing.

#1-6 are straight forward requests. #7 is questionable and needs further discussion.

Tom makes a motion for conditions of approval on scoreboards 1-6 and more information needed o #7. George seconds this motion. It is unanimous.

Tom motions to continue to 5/17 DRB meeting. George seconds this motions. It is unanimous.

DARK STAR LIGHTING INC.: Seeking approval for combining lots 11 & 12 as one for the purpose of site plan for and easement to parking and shared facilities.

The request to combine these two lots to provide parking for the tenants of 110 Commerce St. The building is subdivided into 4-7 rental spaces and there is a need for parking. The spots currently for the building are 20 and on pavement. The other proposed parking spots are on gravel. This gravel lot has been constructed correctly and is holding up well. Sharing the current spots is not convenient. 52 spots are being requested. This request meets the ratio of 20% but needs to be screened. The gravel area also cannot be stripped. Dark Star plans on putting up posts to designate the parking spots. There should be a time limit on how long the gravel lot stays as gravel. Gravel is actually preferable as it is better for drainage of run off. The board suggests some landscaping be done in front of the gravel lot as you see it coming down Commerce St. and it looks as an open field. A few trees (5-6') scattered in planting is suggested. Dark Star suggests Evergreens and is open to this idea. Also the dumpsters need to be screened. These trees are then more easily movable when lot 12 is ready to be developed.

Tom motions on conditions of approval, George seconds this motion. It is unanimous.

Dark Star signage to continue another time, as the proper paperwork was not added.

BISSONETTE: A sketch plan approval is requested for approval of a 2-lot subdivision in Agricultural Zoning District. A lot creation for non-residential 2.03 acres.

Clint motions to approve, Robert seconds this motion. It is unanimous.

SPENCER/KIELMAN & PATTEN: Applicants requesting final Plat approval to revise a previously approved subdivision in the AG Zoning District.

Tom motions to approve, George seconds this motion. It is unanimous.

GREEN STREET LLC: Applicants requesting sketch plan approval of 1-lot, 34 unit planned unit development in the village zone district.

This project borders along the LaPlatte, Charlotte Rd. and the back side of Rt.116 properties and along the Norris property. A clustered community, keeping the wetlands and the VAST trails intact. These will be single family dwellings, 5 unit apartments and a commercial building. The historic barn that is on the property will be moved and restored for use as a common building for the complex. To be used for gatherings and functions. A pedestrian walkway will be above ground level, second story to the complex and the cars will travel below. This is to ensure a safe area for walkers, children and so on. An existing sewer runs through the property. A proposal to replace the current piping to newer and more efficient piping and adding also the complex sewer piping is suggested with this proposal. There is not an easement found for the sewers at this time. The density of the project is an issue. Alex has done a density calculation of the units. A traditional village street design and the lower parking cuts into the hill side so that the grade change of the upper walkway is a slow grade. Non-combustible materials to be used. There are proposed berms in between the buildings. A sprinkler system for the whole project is suggested. The fire code is an issue and should have Labor and Industries review it.

Landscaping around the complex will be pockets of trees that are planted on the ground level and these trees will then reach up and in between the second floor walkway. Mimicking the effect of trees along a sidewalk. Landscape should be coordinated along the neighbors’ side and also along the Charlotte Rd. to soften the look of the complex.

George Dameron (member of the public) has spoken with the developers and has some concerns with drainage along the Southern & Western sides. Maintaining the integrity of the property also privacy is an issue. His property will need screening so the pedestrians from the complex will not travel through his back yard to get to Rt. 116. Child safety is an issue as well along the Charlotte Rd. as there is no sidewalk. There is also a ledge impact concern.

Bruce Corbett (member of the public) is the owner of 1810 home on Rt.116 his concerns for his view over the wetlands and beyond. They have constructed their gardens for this purpose and object to this construction project. He thinks it is too high tech for Hinesburg. There are flooding issues from the LaPlatte each year also a concern for the wildlife in that area.

Maureen Corbett (member of the public) has concerns also with the wetlands and drainage issues.

The engineers have surveyed the wetlands. Detention ponds are proposed.

Rt.116 property owners are concerned for their foundations as the construction will be quite close. Again the privacy concern is among the Rt 116 homeowners, as this complex will sit very close to their back yards. Tom Hackett expresses that he does not like the use of the upper walkway nor the 3 story aspect of the complex. This does not have an "Old Village" appeal. Catherine Goldsmith is concerned about the stability of the bank. The back part of her barn has already started to slip down noticeably in the back along that same bank. The engineers are willing to look into this.

Mr. Norris likes the idea of replacing the old sewer lines but what is the impact going to be on the system as a whole when adding in the new complex.

A concern of removing the fill from the project is stated. Fire hydrants should be located within the complex therefore a need for a bigger line in should be included. There is a hydrant along the Charlotte Rd. and there should be two within the complex.

Catherine Goldsmith had a question on this as a housing proposal. Communal housing, etc. This complex will have some similar features of communal living but will be a part of the Hinesburg community. Maureen Corbett wanted to know where the pedestrian crossing will be linked through and will there be a cross walk. The plan is to have it cross at the top of Silver St. There is information that the Silver St. intersection will be modified for safety and better mobility of traffic. The town plans on having sidewalks throughout Hinesburg so a need for more crossing guards from the school will need to addressed. The # of children coming from this complex is also an issue regarding safety.

Tom motions to continue to 6/7. On 6/7 there is to be a site visit in the evening at 6:00 pm. Engineers are to set up balloons in pertaining to the height of the proposed development. Robert seconds this motion. It is unanimous.

Meeting is adjourned at 11:25pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Hannah Butler

Recording Secretary