TOWN OF HINESBURG

PLANNING COMMISION

 

August 8, 2007

Approved September 12, 2007

 

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

 

Commission Members Absent:  Kay Ballard, Joe Donegan, Nancy Norris.

 

Also Present: Alex Weinhagen (Director of Planning and Zoning), Karen Cornish (Recording Secretary).

 

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

 

Planning for public spaces and discussion of an official Town Map
** continued from the July 11th and July 25th meeting

 

Alex passed out a sheet entitled Hinesburg Population Projections, with data based on a 1.7% annual growth rate prediction as laid out in the 2005 Town Plan.  Alex noted the actual growth rate/current population numbers were much lower than projections.  He reviewed school enrollment projections as compiled by Bill Smith, which predicted growth to be more flat than the population sheet projects.  Alex said trends indicating less growth are true across the state, except for certain towns like Williston.

 

Jean asked how the sewer upgrade might affect the numbers.  Alex said if growth is encouraged via new zoning, it may trigger an upward trend in population.  He thought the town might not need a new elementary/middle school even if population goes up, however, since enrollment is low now.  Alex noted that CVU capacity is 1410; Fred thought if one community left CVU, excess capacity would result.  Jean thought Williston would not leave, due to financial concerns.

 

Jean asked what our municipal needs are, and if any facility needed a large block of land set aside.  Alex described the process of creating park guidelines (size, uses, etc.) by looking at a community’s population.  He thought that although we plan to grow the village center, the larger parks needed to be located in other areas of town.

 

Rec fields, a town green, a community center and pocket parks were discussed.  Alex feels they should be accounted for within a development plan.  Johanna thought it might be useful to designate items in areas that may not experience more development.  Alex suggested adding language requiring green spaces or parks in some of the newly created village districts.  George felt an inventory of existing fields was needed.  He said Callahan Park in South Burlington was about 12 acres.  Alex said that Williston used a formula of 6.5 acres per 1000 people for calculating green space; for Hinesburg, that would translate to 43 acres of reserved green space.

 

The group reviewed existing parks.  Joe suggested putting the town green behind the police station.  Alex agreed and also suggested that a large rec field be placed next to the property to the north.  Joe thought all full size rec fields in town should be integrated into one place.  Alex said a full size soccer field is about 1.6 acres.  Joe said he thought combined fields (4) would require 8-10 acres.  He noted most New England towns don’t have rec fields in the center of town.  Certain properties were discussed as possibilities, but some had wetland issues.  The group agreed a rec field or fields should be located outside of the village center.  The distance to Lyman Park and how the park’s acreage was included in school property was discussed.

 

The group talked about the space next to police station and also the field behind the post office, as being good locations for non-rec field items.  Alex suggested a mix of commercial and public amenities in those areas, with a focus on on-street parking. 

 

The group looked at work done on a map to date.  A new library location was discussed.  Carrie said trustees felt more parking was needed than is available at their current location.  Alex said the police station space was being planned with ample parking, 100+ spaces.  Carrie spoke about a multi-generational center’s functions and space requirements.  George thought a rec field should not be on the developable land north of Creekside.  Fred agreed and suggested some amenities be located west of the proposed West road.  The group discussed how the official map concept worked, in terms of private land.  Alex talked about feedback he had received from a wetlands consultant about that western edge of the Bissonette area.

 

George felt there were too many things that needed to be proved out about specific pieces of property, and would prefer to see zoning language describing priorities for amenities, rather than using an official map.  Alex thought feedback from residents had clearly indicated they wished to see a public spaces plan.  He thought a map would at least get the process started, even if all engineering information, for instance, was not available when the map was created.  Alex said he would continue to work on the map, would talk to private landowners and also to Rocky about the space behind the police station.  The farmer’s market was discussed.

 

Other Business:

The Vermont Home Builder’s Association contacted Alex and suggested to make the proposed green building incentives broader to include other programs besides LEED.  Alex contact the Green Building Network (VGBN) and Building for Social Responsibility (BSR), who both agreed that the standard shouldn’t be restricted to LEED home certification; however, they also emphasized that self certification is problematic, and third party certification programs are much preferable.  They also felt that a certification standard developed for the southwest isn’t really applicable in Northern New England.  They recommended the following language for the town standards: “Green home certification shall be regionally-based and require third party review and certification.  The group discussed and felt the change worked.

 

Alex noted the work being done by Jeanne Wilson on grant requests for the Streetscape Project Summary.  He reminded the group of the Community Matters conference in mid-October.

 

Minutes of the July 11th Meeting ~and ~

Minutes of the July 25th Meeting

 

George MOVED to approve both sets of minutes as amended.  Carrie SECONDED the motion.  The motion passed 6-0.  The next Planning Comm. meeting is scheduled for August 22nd, 2007.

 

The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:55 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted:

Karen Cornish

Recording Secretary