Selectboard Meeting

March 21, 2005

Page 1 of 4

Attending the meeting; Rob Bast, Andrea Morgante, Jon Trefry, Randy Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, Stewart Pierson, Brian White, Tim Fluck, Al Barber, Jean Isham, attached list of people attending the Public Hearing.

Rob called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.

Employee Interview / Brian White, Highway Department Trainee – Brian started work for the Town last Monday. He has experience with road construction, operating different types of heavy equipment and mechanical work. Brian has reviewed and signed his letter of employment.

Main Hall – Public Hearing / Proposed Amendments to the Hinesburg Town Plan

Rob opened the Public Hearing and Jeanne explained the process of the Public Hearings. She gave background information on how comments were gathered that made up the proposed changes to the Town Plan which the Selectboard reviewed and amended as they felt appropriate. This is the first Public Hearing in the hearing process.

George Bedard, Planning Commission member, stated that at last Wednesday’s P.C. meeting a proposal was made regarding interim zoning and changes in density. He stated the plan reads that in agricultural land and rural areas they will consider increased density. George commented on his view of lack of publicizing the meeting. George gave the Board written proposed change in verbiage to the Town Plan which will allow for considering lower density, mailed notices to landowners in that district and vote by Australian ballot on the matter.

Jean Isham, Planning Commission member, stated George’s proposal had not been presented to the P.C. and they have not discussed it. The Conservation Commission requested to make the presentation regarding interim zoning and density at the P.C. meeting which opened up this discussion.

Donny Palmer wants the Town to leave it up to the landowners and not change the acreage requirements.

Dave Hirth stated Chittenden County is developing fast and Burlington developers will come in and develop Hinesburg in ways to maximize their profit.

Chris Neilson asked if the intent of the Town is to develop zoning and by laws to encourage land based enterprises?

Joe Iadanza, Planning Commission member, stated it is not the intention of the P.C. to encourage development but to allow other uses for agriculture lands.

Nancy Anisfield stated an issue at the meeting last Wed was that “experts” would decide where buildings would be allowed on the land and the landowner could not divide the land as they desire.

Bill Marks, of the Conservation Commission, stated what the C.C. presented was not a proposal to take action but to do a study.

Karla Munson disagreed as the letter states it is a proposal and the P.C. was asked to vote on it.

Carrie Fenn, Planning Commission member, advised the P.C. has to follow State regulations on such matters.

Many present felt notice of such meetings need to be made more accessible for all. If you are a landowner who does not live in Hinesburg it is difficult to find out about these meetings.

Gay Reagan inquired as to the process of being informed after the P.C.’s proposal and before the Selectboad reviewed the proposal several times for input at SB meetings. She does feel the Town Plan did reflect concerns of those speaking up at the forums prior to the writing of the proposed changes.

MARCH 21, 2005 page 2 of 4

Kay Ballard stated her husband Tim who has been farming his land for over 40 years would know the best areas to do any developing and not an outside expert.

George Munson, member of the DRB, said he followed the Town Plan from the forums on – he feels the landowners have rights and does not want to find out if he was out of Town for several months on returning that Town government took away his rights.

Mary Jane Ballard addressed the dividing of land to allow children a parcel for developing. She was fortunate to be given a 3 acre parcel for a home from her father’s farm land. She would not be able to have a home if forced to have a 10 or more acre parcel as she would not be able to afford the taxes.

Ruth Ayer suggested using the Town web site to post agendas for meetings.

George Bedard said the P.C. has been working over a year on the Town Plan and it is an open process to making any changes. Last Wed the P.C. was presented with a totally new concept regarding density, not what the P.C. was including in the proposed changes to the Town Plan.

Tim Ayer was concerned with the concentration of growth being kept in the village – he believes there is a need to address the fact that there are large landowners in the village who would gain value to their land with that concept.

Larry Ketcham pointed out that with the village on Town sewer and water this would be held in check due to State allotments.

Glen Enos questioned the point of interim zoning.

Ms. Constanineau, formerly of Williston, stated the Town Plan and Zoning need to work together as a tight control.

Rob Farly believes it is a good plan that was well thought out. He did participate in the forums.

Matt Baldwin stated farmers need to rely on the land as a valuable asset to keep them going if things get hard. They need to keep the farmland open by developing 2 to 3 acre parcels on the fringes.

Ruth Ayer does want the option to be able to sell 2 or 3 acre lots.

Joe Iadanza, Planning Commission member, said there is confusion regarding the 10 acre area based zoning. The purpose is to try to allow landowners to keep open land.

Donny Palmer feels there would be a sewage issue for high density.

Terry Wilson questioned who would purchase the balance of large acre parcels if high density was used. The DRB would put contingencies on the sale of the land and reduce the value if area based zoning was in place.

Carleen Tufo asked who would be able to pay taxes on large tracts of land not being farmed.

Lynn Gardner urged the Town to use Australian ballot for a town wide vote on such changes.

Board members responded they realize communication is very important; they do want input from residents.

Liz Lee, said some people feel as if they are losing control – development does not help taxes and the tax base and does not help people come together as a community.

Tim Ayer asked if the surveys returned asking for open land reflects wishes of large landowners in the village area.

George Munson stated if the P.C. were to look at the survey again they would see it does not reflect Tim’s remarks.

Rob closed the Public Hearing and said the Selelctboard would make a decision as to what the next step in the hearing process would be.

MARCH 21, 2005 page 3 of 4

Tim Fluck, CCRC Principal Planner / Recommendations of the Housing Task Force.

Tim presented the Board with the seven major recommendations of the Chittenden County Housing Targets Task Force.

1- Identify needs

2- What constitutes housing – permanent year round residents.

3- Housing targets – number of units added not total number of units; total housing / moderate income / and affordable housing. Planning targets not quotas and not ceilings.

4- Come up with countywide housing need for 2010 = 10,000 units

5- Municipal targets should be portions of the countywide.

6- Municipal housing targets; a) not exceed remaining residential build out capacity, b) not exceed 125% of 10 year average growth from 1980 – 2000

7- Municipal housing targets; a) moderate income housing = 10% of total housing, b) affordable housing = 10% of total housing.

Andrea stated there is not clear identification of the demographics – population the housing will be built for. There is a need for greater analysis of where the building should be placed and address barriers that may exist.

Other Business

Approve Warrants: Jon moved that the Board vote to approve the warrants (including payroll warrants) for bills payable as presented by the Town Treasurer. Second by Randy and approved.

Approve Minutes of February 21, 2005: Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of February 21, 2005. Second by Jon and approved with Howard abstaining.

Request to Close CVU Road on May 4, 2005 for Mock Crash Demonstration: Connecting Youth (CY), working with the Hinesburg Fire Department, Police Department and First Response, would like to again sponsor a mock auto accident for CVU High School students on Wednesday, May 4, 2005. The purpose of this exercise is to raise awareness with students about the possible consequences of mixing substance use with operating a vehicle. They are requesting permission to close CVU road to through traffic on May 4 from 8:30 to 11:30 am.

Jon moved that the Board vote to approve the request by Connecting Youth (CY) to close CVU Road to through traffic on Wednesday, May 4, 2005 between 8:30 and 11:30 am for the purpose of holding an educational mock auto exercise for CVU students, with the stipulation that a large, clearly visible sign be posted beginning Monday, May 2, at each end of CVU Road, advising of the road closing and stating the date and time of the road closing. Second by Randy and approved.

Discussion of Policy for Bid Process – it was suggested the dollar amount of a project determine need for bids. Jeanne will get samples from other towns of their process.

Proposed Escrow Agreement / Grabowski Development: As a requirement of Brett Grabowski’s subdivision approval, he is required to guarantee the construction and completion of the infrastructure for the Creekside Development with some form of surety agreement. Brett has provided an example of an escrow agreement for the Board’s review.

The Board discussed the time frame of guarantee. Jeanne will check the value of improvements for large developments and for how long money would be held in escrow.

MARCH 21, 2005 page 4 of 4

Resignation from Highway Department / Jesse Orvis: Randy moved that the Board vote to accept the resignation of Jesse Orvis from the Hinesburg Highway Department, effective 3/31/05.

Second by Andrea and approved.

Additions to the Agenda

Protocol for Non-Emergency Use of the Hydrant System – The Board reviewed a drafted document with Al Barber. Jeanne will rewrite with agreed changes and attach a cover letter.

Howard moved the Board vote to adopt the Protocol for Non-Emergency Use of the Hydrant System, second by Andrea and approved.

Petition Received / RE: Peter Erb, Zoning Administrator. The Board asked Jeanne to check statutory regulations regarding personnel issues and decisions made by the Selectboard.

The Board discussed the comments offered at the Public Hearing on the Town Plan. They questioned the legal procedure to change to require a special Town vote by Australian ballot. Jeanne will check on this with the VLCT.

Jean Isham stated the P.C. is now working on zoning changes.

Could there be an Australian ballot on a case by case basis if petitioned to do so?

The Board agreed to hold the April 4^th meeting as planned and let people know they will address issue of public notice and explain options for the voters.

A mailing will be sent with notice of the Public Hearing.

Randy moved the Board vote to adjourn at 10:40 p.m., second by Andrea and approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Valerie Spadaccini, secretary