TOWN OF HINESBURG

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

 

March 1, 2006

Approved March 15, 2006

 

Commission Members Present:  Jean Isham, George Bedard, Kay Ballard, Joe Iadanza, Carrie Fenn, Joe Donegan, Nancy Norris, Fred Haulenbeek.

 

Commission Members Absent:  Johanna White.

 

The meeting began at approximately 7:40 p.m.

 

Alex welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained that discussion at this meeting would focus on Ballard's Corner and Route 116 North of Commerce Street. He explained that the group would be discussing both sides of 116 and the concepts of the greater and lesser hamlet which were ideas identified during the charette exercise. Alex reviewed the format of the meeting and encouraged participants to feel comfortable offering a free flow of ideas and to not feel tied to the discussion questions.

 

At the next two Planning Commission meetings possible areas of town expansion will be discussed. Then, for the March 29th meeting several people have been invited to speak about their ideas of what development they would like to pursue if zoning regulations allow them to do so. In addition. municipal improvements such as sidewalks and new traffic lights will be discussed.

 

Alex explained that these meetings are very significant because the Planning Commission is discussing new zoning regulations for the town center to reflect the goals listed in the town plan. Input from attendees of these meetings will help to shape the technical regulations.

 

Alex then split the attendees into four different groups to discuss the following six discussion questions:

 

1.      Which growth option are you more interested in for this area – i.e., greater hamlet concept or lesser hamlet concept (refer to maps)? Both options include some degree of mixed commercial and residential growth, but the extent and arrangement is markedly different.

 

2.      Do you favor or oppose a new north/south road connector west of Route 116 to provide access options for growth in this area? To what extent does your answer depend on the function and end points of the road – e.g., local, low speed traffic vs. Route 116 bypass; Commerce Street to Shelburne Falls Road or Charlotte Road to Shelburne Falls Road?

 

3.      Should the Town encourage more large industry (employers like NRG, Nestech, Iroquois Manufacturing, etc.) to locate in the area from NRG to CVU road on the east side of Route 116?

 

4.      Do you want the Town to restrict larger commercial or retail buildings, either through size caps or through more stringent review standards? Consider Williston's big box stores, but also consider Lantman's, NRG, Saputo.

 

5.      Do you think concentrating more people, stores, and jobs in this area of new village growth should be offset by protecting more of Hinesburg's rural lands from development? Do you think the Town should allow rural landowners to sell the development rights to their rural land in order to encourage concentrated growth in the village area?

 

6.      Do you think the proposed village green (or community gardens) shown on the greater Ballard's Corner hamlet is a good idea? How could such a space best serve the community (visual aesthetic, community building, community gardens, recreation, etc.)?

 

After a little more than an hour of discussion, the following thoughts, ideas and opinions were presented by the Planning Commission members on behalf of the attendees.

 

Group 1: Summary

·          Build north from Creekside to create continuity of development from the village.

·          West Side Road should offer access to community space.

·          Shouldn't rule out West Side Road's connectivity to Charlotte Road in the future.

·          Try to attract clean industry.

·          Aesthetics of industry are important. Don't want to limit size.

·          Limit commercial space.

·          Need to have clear goals for the 'look' of a business.

·          Think the idea of transfer development rights is a good one.

·          Green space is important but so is the location of that space.

·          Concerned with safety issues involved in having a green near Ballard's corner.

·          Use a berm to mitigate safety and noise issues between green space and 116.

·          Would like to see a community garden space.

·          Use some of the area along 116 for a planned water retention area.

·          Always think about traffic concerns with any new development.

 

Group 2: Summary

·          Thought West Side Road was a good idea but did not want it to be seen or used as a bypass.

·          Control traffic on West Side Road with speed bumps or turns.

·          Place a community building near the village green to connect the town to this area.

·          Control the size of businesses that enter Hinesburg.

·          Rules and regulations for mixed use areas need to control noise and hours of operation.

·          Property Transfer Rights seemed to be a good idea but shouldn't force landowners to make a choice. There should be a meeting to explain to landowners how it works. Want landowners to know that they have options.

·          Thought the village green on Ballard's corner was a good idea. Would like to preserve the look of that entrance to town.

 

 

Group 3: Summary

·          In regards to the lesser hamlet concept the group thought the north west corner was already developed.

·          Don't want residences in front of the NRG building.

·          Like the idea of a green space on the east side of 116.

·          Connectivity is very important.

·          Village green in the greater hamlet is too big and too wide.

·          Liked idea of keeping the green space on the sides of 116 for pedestrians/bikes.

·          Mixed use areas are a good idea. Don't want the town to be 'dead' at night.

·          Like the idea of the greater hamlet but not the grid layout.

·          Shouldn't plan for an auto-centric layout. Need to over pedestrian access and make the town walk-able.

·          Calm traffic between Falls Road and Commerce Street.

·          Plan for a mass transit model.

·          Road cuts onto 116 for the greater hamlet are a good idea; would give the feeling of a village.

·          A fitness center would be a good addition to Hinesburg. Want businesses like NRG and can't be too restrictive.

·          No smoke or pollution producing industries.

·          Use architectural specs to control the 'look' of businesses in Hinesburg.

·          Restrict signage.

·          Offer incentives for village development.

·          Need more information about transfer development rights.

·          Village green is too big.

·          Like the location of the green space in the lesser hamlet option.

 

Group 4: Summary

·          Need to resolve traffic congestion on 116.

·          Preferred lesser hamlet option and then grow to be bigger.

·          Limit access of 116.

·          Would need more development to support the West Side Road concept.

·          Town should gain control of properties along the proposed West Side Road.

·          Green space near the intersection doesn't fit the small plan.

·          Soils in the village area will restrict building size.

·          Buildings should be built to scale of what is already in Hinesburg.

·          Buildings need to fit the landscape and should know how industry will benefit Hinesburg.

·          Concentrate development in town.

·          Support the idea of transfer development rights but need more information about this.

·          Village green near intersection is very unsafe.

·          Have more activity near Ballard's corner and open space spreading toward the village.

 

Other Business:

 

Minutes of February 1 and February 15 Meeting:

Carrie MOVED to approve the February 1 and February 15 meeting minutes as written. Fred SECONDED the motion. The motion PASSED 8 – 0.

 

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:40 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted:

 

Heather Stafford

Recording Secretary