TOWN OF HINESBURG

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

December 7, 2005

Approved January 18, 2006

Commission Members Present: Fred Haulenbeek, Joe Iadanza, Carrie Fenn.

Commission Members Absent: Jean Isham, Nancy Norris, Kay Ballard, Joe Donegan, Johanna White, George Bedard.

*NOTE – Not enough members for a quorum. Meeting was held since there were no formal votes needed.

Also Present: Alex Weinhagen (Director of Planning/Zoning), George & Karla Munson, Dona Walker, Robert White (ORW planning consultant).

The meeting began at approximately 7:45pm.

Village Growth Project – Design Charette Review:

Robert White (our project planning consultant) said the November 4 design charette was terrific – an excellent mix of participants and a lot of good energy. He showed the actual drawings from each of the focus area teams along with cleaned up summary versions that emphasize the “pearls” taken from all the teams.

Joe discussed the West Side Road idea including the positive aspects along with the difficulties of getting behind the Cheese factory for a connection to Charlotte Road. Dona mentioned the past plan (not pursued) for a bike path along the LaPlatte River. Alex noted that the charette participants included a similar concept on their plans.

Fred asked Robert about the practicalities of planning new road and development corridors in the village core that cross multiple properties with different owners. Robert said this always proves challenging, but can be done by combining density incentives along with requirements for interconnected roads, sidewalks, on-street parking in new development projects. He said regulatory options can be mixed with the adoption of official maps that lay out the community’s plan for future street and sidewalk networks. Robert said that as planners, the Commission needs to lay out the plan, and then implement it in a patchwork quilt as opportunities arise.

Village Growth Project – Forum Planning:

The group discussed planning and logistics for the community forum on January 4. It will be Town Meeting style after an introduction by Alex and a presentation on the ideas generated at the charette by Robert. It will begin with desserts in the tradition of past community forums. Robert will provide a large map of Hinesburg with sticky dots so that people can indicate where they live. A follow-up comment form will be handed out for those who aren’t comfortable speaking at the forum.

Planning & Zoning Budget:

Alex briefly reviewed the proposed Planning & Zoning budget and draft budget memo to the Selectboard. Commission members present felt the budget was acceptable.

Minutes of the November 16, 2005 Meeting:

Since there was not a quorum, approval of the previous meeting’s minutes was tabled until the next meeting.

Other Business:

December 21 Commission Meeting:

Earlier the Commission had discussed the possibility of canceling the 12/21 meeting unless there were agenda items to discuss. Alex said that much of his time between now and then will be on preparation for the community forum. The Commission asked Alex to e-mail the rest of the Commission on this question.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Alex Weinhagen, Director of Planning & Zoning