Hinesburg Selectboard Meeting
April 6, 2009
Attending the meeting; Jon Trefry, Andrea Morgante, Ken Brown, Randy Volk, Howard Russell, Jeanne Wilson, also see attached public meeting sign in sheet.
Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Public Hearing on Village Growth Area Zoning & Subdivision Proposal – Jon opened the public hearing and gave a brief overview on the history of and where the proposal stands to date. Jon also read from the Town Plan which directs the reasons for the regulation changes. Howard agreed that this is a comprehensive plan and he wants to hear the thoughts and ideas from the residents.
Bill Stirewalt, property owner on CVU Road requested his property be included in the growth area.
Alan Norris would like to extend R2 South 100’ as he does not feel the road through to Buck Hill is a good location. Andrea responded that the proposed road does not show up on the official map as it is conceptual.
Alan also spoke about the density bonus (see regulation changes page 24). He feels that the density bonus formula should be adjusted so that the mandated affordable units are not included in the calculation.
Peter Erb said the purpose of R2 regulations is to develop an entrance to the Village. If moved South the result will be seeing the backs of houses from Rt 116 which will not be a good gateway.
Rolf Kielman said the more the densities are spread out the more we impede walk ability. He would use Buck Hill as the southern boundary for R2.
David Lyman said the Selectboard directed the Planning Commission to address these changes as a result of many meetings and Town forums. As a landowner he would like to have a say as to what is done on his land. He supports the expansion of the village districts. There is interest from Kinney Drug to build on land that would be in the expanded village area and the Town needs a drug store. He submitted to the Board a petition with 250 signatures supporting the expansion.
Missy Ross asked about the impact of the wetlands. Alex said a wetland delineation has been done and showed where they are on the official map.
Ruth Ayer said if the Rt 116 area reverts to wetlands where will all that water flow to – the village? She therefore does not think encouraging these densities in the village is a good idea.
Brett Grabowski said clustering development out of wetlands is good land use planning and can provide open space.
Bill McClay (on behalf of NRG and Blittersdorf) in favor of the proposed changes, delay has already impacted their growth. They would add cultural facility use in Village NE – doing educational training. Could provide sample language to do so.
Tom Ayer said he feels the energy green buildings standard requirement for buildings over 6000 sq ft are cumbersome for new businesses – request to reconsider standard #3.
Steve Aube asked how long it takes for a return on the investment on renewable energy.
Chuck Reiss said it depends on the renewable energy source. Suggests for commercial use a formula of BTU’s per sq ft. Alan Norris said it depends on the bonuses.
Tim Casey also feels energy standards are too strict for the industrial district.
Roger Kohn does not feel the zoning ordinance is designed to deal with energy and green building and would like it removed.
Alan Norris said he believes density bonuses for green energy do make sense.
David Blittersdorf disagreed and said it is not difficult to meet the requirement as with all the new incentives one can see payback in 2 years time. Hinesburg has a chance to lead on this issue.
Chuck Reiss feels it is appropriate to have green building standards. Don’t just recognize LEED standards but also recognize the two other standards used in the State.
Bill Marks also feels green building is important – it is about quality of life planning.
Tom Ayer wanted to clarify that he is in favor of energy conservation but feels some requirements are too costly and will keep new businesses away. Sustainability means not just environment but economics.
Michelle Fisher expressed concern with future road sites diverting traffic through residential neighborhoods. The Board noted that village streets are for local traffic not thru traffic. Also can be needed for infill development.
David reminded us that the school owns Lyman Park for 50 yrs so he does not believe a road can go through that area.
Marge Steele has results of a survey regarding the need for a pharmacy from Hinesburg Family Health with all responders stating “yes”. She will give the SB the survey.
Karen Cornish asked if there has been discussion about phasing. She would like to see the official map and Village NE adopted immediately and phasing in other districts over time.
Alan Norris said we should adopt all at once, it is not fair to those who will have to wait.
Howard Russell said he supports phasing to benefit the Town not any particular land owner but to look at the potential major benefits to the Town zone by zone. Overall he supports this as it is consistent with the Town Plan. Phasing should be done while looking at changing rural densities.
David Lyman disagrees with this idea. He said the Selectboard gave the job to the Planning Commission to come up new zoning. Howard replied that the Planning Commission gives recommendations to the Selectboard.
Jon said phasing can be done through sewer allocations.
Marge Sharp asked if a schedule can be set up for overall phasing. Randy replied that there are two different definitions of phasing. Howard is saying to allow certain districts; another definition is how many houses would be built in a year.
Roger Kohn asked if traffic studies of the impact on Rt 116 have been done. Andrea noted there will be more traffic whether in the village or coming from Addison County. Control can be gained through curb cuts.
Brett Grabowski believes there is need in each district for expansion.
Rolf Kielman believes there is plenty of opportunity for expansion in the existing village and thinks adding too many new development opportunities will lead to fragmented development and sprawl.
Jon Lyman said the Town has already set outside boundaries by Ballard’s corner development to the north and it would only make sense to fill in to that boundary.
David Orgain said we need to think about intersections with traffic before development occurs.
Brett Grabowski said developers can address intersection improvements.
Fred Haulenbeek said the village expansion is an ambitious undertaking that anticipated more capacity from the sewage plant – if all the sewage is used up in a few hot spots it could lead to fragmented growth.
Richard Watts said a vibrant village center results in reduced transportation energy consumption.
Ken Brown agrees that one of the goals of the Planning Commission was to achieve affordable housing and benefits to the Town. This is not intended to happen immediately – the plan is for 20 years out.
Rob Bast said he is hearing that the Selectboard wants to achieve a balance between growth and how it gets implemented with the work the Planning Commission has done on this proposal. This needs to be implemented in such a way as not to overload the Towns services.
Peter Erb said the state has relied on wastewater allocation to control growth and that is not a good planning tool. PUD needs to consider natural attributes (standard 4.5.6 moved to 4.5.8). Get rid of gas station canopies. In the Quinn area don’t allow cottage industries – home occupations are acceptable. Outdoor storage is not compatible with a residential neighborhood.
Jon Lyman said when the plan is passed it will take time and phase slowly as economics will dictate. We need to look at the big picture now and accept the large plan and let it fill in.
Karla Munson feels it is wrong to phase. Should be adopted and economics and the permitting process dictate growth.
Grover Usilton of the National Bank of Middlebury said they are in favor of moving forward with the proposal.
Allison Cleary asked it there is anything not in the plan that the Selectboard views as missing. Andrea replied that wetlands information was not received when written and may change what is done in the Village NW district.
George Dameron agrees with Richard Watts about a dense village and ability to walk to services. He asks that the Boards think about the impact on village residents regarding traffic, taxes, etc.
Ken Brown said this was not an easy process. In 1993 there was a vision of the village core – this is years of work by the Planning Commission with updates. He believes these regulations can make the vision happen.
Marge Sharp asked for the minutes to be published in the Hinesburg Record.
Alan Norris said in regards to infill and how fast that will happen depends on what developers will bring for projects to the DRB and it will naturally take years to fill in.
Chuck Reiss replied in avoid fragmentation – building should be encouraged from the core out, not by phasing geographically.
Highway Foreman Michael Anthony
Discussion of Carry Over Funds for Paving: Due to the high cost of paving material, Mike would like to discuss the possibility of carrying over funds in FY 08 – 09 for spring paving and combine those funds with the FY 09 – 10 paving funds to secure a better price per ton.
The Board approved Mike’s request to get paving done now with surplus paving funds but advised him to be sure to hold enough funds to be able to fund the paving to be done on Pond Road.
Bids for Purchase of Dump Truck in FY 09 – 10: Mike discussed solicited bids for purchase of a dump truck.
Andrea moved the Board approve purchase of International truck from Clark’s Truck Center for $79,807. Second by Howard and approved.
Director of Buildings & Facilities Rocky Martin
Discussion of Utility Permit for Vermont Gas Project: Rocky has solicited input from highway and water & wastewater to draft conditions for the buried utility permit for the Vermont Gas Project, which involves installation of natural gas mains on Shelburne Falls Road, CVU Road, Richmond Road, Commerce Street and Mechanicsville Road. Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the buried utility permit application of Vermont Gas Systems to install natural gas mains in the right of way on Shelburne Falls Road, CVU Road, Richmond Road, Mechanicsville Road and Commerce Street as outlined in the permit dated 02/10/09, subject to the terms and conditions of the permit and any state or local permits governing the project. Second by Ken and approved.
Review Draft Plans for Village Corridor Improvement Project: Engineers from Dubois & King have provided draft plans for the Safe Routes to School / Enhancement Grant funded village corridor improvement project, which will include sidewalk from Charlotte Road to HCS on the west side of Route 116.
Discussion of Carry Over Funds for PD Building Maintenance: Preliminary discussion regarding funds for painting of police building – Rocky said there is wood repair and painting needed, he may request to carry over funds to next FY and do the old fire station and Police Department building at the same time.
Other Business
Approve Warrants: Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the warrants (including payroll warrants) for bills payable as presented by the Town Treasurer. Second by Ken and approved.
Minutes of March 16, 2009: Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of March 16, 2009 as corrected. Second by Howard and approved.
Minutes of 2009 Annual Town Meeting: Ken moved that the Board vote to approve the minutes of the 2009 Annual Town Meeting, held on March 2, 2009. Second by Howard and approved.
Trial Balances for Water & Wastewater and General Fund Accounts for Period Ending 3/31/09: Randy moved that the Board vote to acknowledge receipt of the trial balances for the water & wastewater and general fund accounts for the period ending 3/31/09. Second by Ken and approved.
Adoption of Employee Safety Policy: In response to high workers compensation experience rating, the Town will be participating in the VLCT Workers Compensation Rewards Program, and staff has formed a safety committee. The committee has drafted an employee safety policy to be adopted by the Selectboard. Ken moved that the Board vote to adopt the Policy Regarding Safety, dated April 6, 2009. Second by Andrea and approved.
Request to Close CVU Road for Mock Crash on April 29: Connecting Youth (CY), working with local public safety personnel, will again sponsor a mock auto accident for CVU High School students on Wednesday, April 29, 2009. The purpose of this exercise is to raise awareness about the possible consequences of mixing substance use with operating a vehicle. They are requesting permission to close CVU Road to through traffic on April 29 from 8:20 – 10:00 am.
Randy moved that the Board vote to approve the request by Connecting Youth (CY) to close CVU Road to through traffic on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 between the hours of 8:20 and 10:00 am for the purpose of holding an educational mock auto accident for CVU students, with the stipulation that large, clearly visible signs be posted beginning Monday, April 27 at each end of CVU Road, advising of the road closing and stating the date and time of the road closing. Second by Ken and approved.
Resignation from and Appointments to Bissonette Town Forest Planning Committee: On July 28, 2008, the Selectboard appointed eight residents to the Bissonette Town Forest Planning Committee. Matthew Probasco, Susan Mead and Paul Wieczoreck have advised that they have resigned from the committee, leaving Kristen Sharpless, Lenore Budd, Andrea Morgante, Jean Isham and Stewart Pierson as active committee members. Ken moved that the Board vote to accept the resignations of Matthew Probasco, Susan Mead and Paul Wieczoreck from the Bissonette Town Forest Planning committee. Second by Andrea and approved.
Committee Chair Kristen Sharpless has asked that the Selectboard consider appointing Lisa Godfrey and Kate Tarkington as replacements. In addition, Tim Clancy has expressed interest in being appointed to the committee. Howard moved that the Board vote to appoint Lisa Godfrey, Kate Tarkington and Tim Clancy to the Bissonette Town Forest Planning Committee. Second by Randy and approved.
Road Cut Permit / Reid on North Road: Jack Pilla reviewed this request with the Board. This request is associated with a change in use for a single-family drive associated with a subdivision. The drive will now service three lots and will become a private road. The development has received final approval from the DRB. Howard moved that the Board vote to approve the road cut permit application for Robert and Mary Reid on North Road (a subdivision of Tax Map #09-01-09.00) as outlined in the permit dated 3/14/09, subject to the terms and conditions placed on the permit by the Highway Foreman and all state and local permits governing the development of this parcel. Second by Andrea and approved.
Correspondence from Village Steering Committee: The Selectboard has received two letters from the Village Steering Committee. One letter is in regards to the committee’s recommendations on prioritization of future sidewalk construction. The second letter asks the Board to take action to discourage the use of truck engine brakes in the village, set all village speed limits at 30 mph, and encourage increased speed enforcement in the village.
The Board instructed Jeanne to have the Village Steering Committee check on signs that address the truck situation. Jeanne will also speak with the Police Dept about setting the village speed at 30 mph and find out how enforcement in the village is going.
VTrans High Risk Rural Roads Grant Agreement: A grant agreement has been received from VTrans for the High Risk Rural Roads Program, which will provide the Town with $12,889.65 for the installation of signage (including a speed feedback sign) on Silver Street as recommended by the road safety audit conducted in 2008. This program utilizes federal funds, and pays 100% of project costs. Howard moved that the Board vote to authorize the Chair to sign the VTrans High Risk Rural Roads Program grant agreement (Grant #GR0023) for funding in the amount of $12,889.65 to install signage on Silver Street. Second by Ken and approved.
Update on Ancient Roads Project / Howard Russell – Howard advised the committee is about to go out to look at roads, they will be contacting land owners to advise them they will be receiving a letter from the Selectboard on this.
Review of CVU Parking on Pond Road: Zoning Administrator Peter Erb requests input from the Board on the issue of parking along Pond Road associated with the CVU athletic fields. The Board agreed CVU should continue to put up no parking signs.
Green Up Day / May 2: Green Up Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 2. Town trucks will be used to pick up trash bags and also to deliver material to CSWD on Monday, May 4.
Other Board Member Items – Andrea said she received a report of cars getting stuck in the mud on Buritt Rd. Jeanne will check with Mike on installing a sign that the road is closed to thru traffic and possibly barricade it off. The Board further discussed putting a “Dead End” sign to discourage thru traffic.
Howard moved the Board go into executive session for Discussion of Legal & Personnel Issues, second by Ken and approved.
Howard moved the Board come out of executive session and adjourn, second by Ken and approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie Spadaccini, secretary