TOWN OF
HINESBURG
DEVELOPMENT
REVIEW BOARD MINUTES
August 4,
2009
Approved September 15, 2009
DRB Members Present: Dick Jordan, Dennis Place, Zoë Wainer, Greg Waples.
DRB Members Absent: Ted Bloomhardt, Tom McGlenn, George Munson.
Also Present: Peter Erb (Zoning Administrator), Karen Cornish (Recording Secretary), Mac Rood, Rob Bast, Bill & Kate Schubart, Lenore Budd.
The meeting began at approximately 7:30 p.m. Please note that Richard (Dick) Jordan was appointed to the DRB on August 3, 2009. One alternate Board position is now open. The minutes of the July 21st could not be reviewed due to lack of a quorum.
Green Street - Revision to a Final Decision Review - Charlotte Road
Applicants: Green Street LLC, Mac Rood & Rob Bast [Tax Map #20-50-43.000]
Rob Bast and Mac Rood reviewed their request to change the elevation of interconnecting bridges, originally set at 14 feet above the lower development road. Greg asked for the cost difference between the original project and the project with proposed changes; Mac said the redesign would save 200K, citing various material expenses.
New plans were presented to the Board. One bridge serving 4 units to the west remained, from the three bridges shown on previous plans. Mac described the bridge’s stair / tread design and said it would not be ADA accessible. Rob said the majority of the units to the east are connected to each other and to Route 116 (which is at their same elevation) and therefore ADA accessible. Mac said a “place of public accommodation” is required to have 10% or more units ADA accessible and that they are over that target (although their project is not required to meet the 10% limit.)
Greg asked about the construction schedule. Mac said they would like to start work on the infrastructure up to a point about midway into the site (from Charlotte Road towards the east), preparing the site for the construction of 8 buildings in the spring. The group discussed the time frame and whether construction could begin within the 30-day (DRB decision) appeal period. Mac said the work they would start this fall would have been the same as with the original permit. He said there are no changes to the sewer line and that State ACT 250 permission had already been obtained.
Peter said he thought the new plan was a significant departure from what was previously approved, citing the elimination of 2 bridges and the shrinking of the plaza area. With regards to the construction schedule (to start on the first 1/3, or 8 buildings), he asked the applicants if they would be willing to consider extending the review of the remaining 2/3 of the units. Rob said he thought these changes were an improvement and were in keeping with the the spirit of the original project. Greg asked about the removal of 2 bridges; Mac said they were removed due to comments made at the July 21st meeting.
The group discussed hypothetical pedestrian routes, such as how one would get to the Hinesburg Community School from inside the development. Peter cited an idea set forth in the original decision, that a “seamless” pedestrian environment would be made possible by the vertical separation of vehicles and pedestrian traffic. He thought eliminating bridges would now force pedestrians down onto the street level, contrary to the original plan. Rob said people would generally be coming to their houses in a vehicle and would get upstairs in their own buildings. Alex asked how changes would affect walkability within the village. Greg suggested the possibility of having a steeper bridge in one location as long as another no-bridge route was available.
Greg asked the applicants to submit revised plans along with
a narrative that detailed access between dwellings, and also between
levels. Peter asked for an overlay of
the new proposal to compare to the original proposal, or at least that old
& new drawings could be made in the same scale. Rob said they would submit paper copies and
PDF files.
Greg MOVED to continue the hearing to the August 18th meeting and to draft conditions of approval. Zoë SECONDED the motion. The motion PASSED 4-0.
Voted: Dick Jordan, Dennis Place, Zoë Wainer, Greg Waples.
Budd/Schubart - Revision to a Final Plat - Drinkwater and Magic Hill
Roads
Co-applicants: Ralph & Lenore Budd/William & Katherine Schubart
[Tax Map #s 11-01-02.300 and
11-01-01.300]
Lenore Budd presented their request to transfer of 2.71 acres to the Schubarts, who have plans to build a pond. Peter said the DRB must also find that this transfer of land to an adjoiner would not constitute a new subdivision. Bill Schubart explained the subdivision history of the 2 lots. Greg asked about the pond’s water source. Bill said they would use surface water only, based on clay soils found in the area. He said the pond would be for recreational use only, with no outlet, and would not interrupt the flow of any water. He pointed out the location and size of the pond, stating it would take up about 1/3 of the land being transferred. He said the adjacent meadow would be kept open.
Zoë MOVED to close the
public hearing and discuss the matter in deliberative session. Greg SECONDED the motion. The motion PASSED 4-0. Greg MOVED that this action constitutes a
transfer of land only and does not constitute a subdivision. Zoë SECONDED the motion. The motion PASSED 4-0.
Voted: Dick Jordan, Dennis Place, Zoë
Wainer, Greg Waples.
Greg MOVED to go into deliberative session to vote on the Schubart and Fournier applications. Dennis SECONDED the motion. The motion PASSED 4-0.
Other Business
Budd/Schubart Revision to an Approved
Final Plat
The Board voted to approve
the draft decision as amended (approved).
The motion PASSED 4-0.
Voted: Dick Jordan, Dennis Place, Zoë
Wainer, Greg Waples.
Fournier Sketch Subdivision – no action was taken.
The meeting ended at approximately 8:45 pm.
The next DRB meeting is scheduled for August 18th.
Respectfully Submitted:
Karen Cornish
Recording Secretary