TOWN OF HINESBURG

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

 

June 7, 2006

Approved June 27, 2006

 

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

 

Commission Members Absent:  Nancy Norris.

 

Also Present: Alex Weinhagen (Director of Planning and Zoning), Heather Stafford (Recording Secretary), Karla Munson, George Munson, Debra Perry.

 

The meeting began at approximately 7:30 p.m.

 

I. Village Growth Project – The Village Core

Alex prepared a map of the Village Core and two other areas for the board to work with. Overlays of certain sized lots and different sized buildings were also available for the commission members to work with. Before the board began the map exercise, Alex briefly reviewed the posters created by ORW. The posters depicted a 'New Neighborhood Model' which consists of clustered housing which leaves room for more shared open space. They also discussed 'A Menu of Housing Types' including:

·          Cottage Style Clusters which consisted of smaller homes (900 – 1200 square feet) clustered close together.

·          Single Family Homes which were pushed towards the front of the lot to allow for more space in the backyard that could accommodate additions, garages and accessory apartments. It was noted that these accessory apartments can create easily accessible and economic housing.

·          Multi-family Homes in a town house style that save space using connected outside walls.

 

The commission then began to look at the map of the Village Core to locate possible areas for in-fill. Alex said that in the village current zoning regulations allow for three units per acre. Multi-family homes are allowed a greater density. Bob White has said that allowing six units per acre in the village will make affordable housing a more viable alternative for developers.

 

The commission noted that there were a lot of disconnected parking areas to the east of 116 behind the Church and Lantmans as well as at several individual homes and small businesses. The members began to explore the possibility of adding a Center Road behind Lantmans that would allow several entrances to be moved from 116 onto the Center Road and therefore allow space for on-street parking on 116. The commission thought it would be most beneficial to have the Center Road run from just south of Kelly Field to Papa Nicks. The road would be a low speed two-way road that would have lower speed limits and several stop signs to deter people looking for a short cut through town.

 

Some of the issues discussed in regards to the Center Road included:

1. Affect on Lyman Park

The board discussed that it might be beneficial to try to turn the soccer field to allow the Center Road to use some of the space on the existing fields. This would allow greater flexibility for Lantmans and could create a nice traffic flow. There was concern about disrupting or taking space away from Lyman Park since it had been determined to be an essential asset of the Hinesburg Central School. It was thought that perhaps part of the adjoining Russell property could be utilized as a part of the Park to allow additional playing field space but the commission thought there might still be a space issue with the soccer field. Alex said that he would ask the school and the rec department if the baseball field is needed or used. The members also discussed making the area welcoming to the Lyman Meadow's residents as a shared open space.

 

2. Allowing Space for Lantmans to Expand

The commission members felt that Lantmans is an anchor for the road and that as such the town should try to anticipate their future needs for expansion. Since this business will mostly likely generate the most traffic on Center Road, the members felt strongly that this concern should be addressed in the street design. Joe Donegan added that he felt that based on the global economy, individuals should also start looking more seriously at preserving space for agricultural lands as some day it may become more important for us to produce our own food as opposed to counting on it to be shipped into a large grocery store chain.

 

3. Green on the Corner and Good Times Entrance  

The commission felt that the access to Good Times can be dangerous and problematic for exiting traffic. They discussed allowing entrance through the current access on 116 and then directing exiting traffic onto the Center Road. There was also some concern that the green space on the corner would become inaccessible. They were not sure what should be done with this space if the monument is moved to Town Hall as has been discussed.

 

4. In-fill Areas

The commission identified one potential area of in-fill that is currently owned by the town on the corner of Lyman Park.  Developing the area with multi-family homes or two story mixed use structures were both discussed. George Munson said that keeping this area walkable is the key to viability. Karla Munson thought incorporating some commercial space into the in-fill areas was a good idea as well.

 

II. Transfer Development Rights

The commission decided that they would need to get a better idea of what should happen in the village core first before discussing if/how Transfer Development Rights should be used.

 

III. Wetlands Change by Army Corp of Engineers

Prior to working on any plan for the West Side of 116 the commission will need an updated wetland delineation of this area.

 

IV. What's Next

The commission decided that they will continue to work on the village core at the next meeting and will try to come up with a mylar overlay to locate potential areas of in-fill, the general location of the Center Road as well as changed entrances and field space. They thought they might also be able to look at the Commerce Park area as well. Jean said she would love to be able to show residents of Hinesburg a video in which they could change the 'look' of different areas. Alex thought there was a software program that the town might be able to utilize as a pilot community. He added that he thought the commission needed to return to the town with a design for the town as well as the related changes in zoning regulations. The commission discussed a timeline for the process which included being able to give plans to ORW by the end of June, having visual representions prepared by ORW by the end of July to present to the town in August. Alex said that he would ship the commission's plans for the Village Core to ORW after the next meeting and then they could move onto Mechanicsville Road or the West Side area if the wetland delineations are complete.

 

The commission also discussed sending ideas for Village development to the Village Steering Committee to help them with their plans.

 

V. Other Business:

 

Change in Meeting Dates

The commission decided to change their meetings from the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month to the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month.

 

Minutes of the May 17th PC Meeting

George MOVED the approve the minutes as amended. Carrie SECONDED the motion. The motion PASSED 8 – 0.

 

Daggett Wind Turbine

Alex explained that the settlement process is still going on. If anyone is interested in this issue they should speak with Alex to get more detailed information.

 

Alex added that the town has applied for a Certificate of Public Good to construct a wind turbine at GePrags. The Conservation Commission has researched this possibility and feels it would be a good idea. The Library is in support of this arrangement as well. They would be the receiver of power from the wind turbine.

 

VTrans Intersection Problems

The direction signal at the intersection of Charlotte Road and Route 116 will not happen this year. Vtrans has been experiencing problems with their internal permitting process between divisions that has slowed down some projects.

 

Field Trip to Bristol

Commission members decided that they would take individual trips to Bristol to examine its village layout.

 

The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:05 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted:

 

Heather Stafford

Recording Secretary