Town of Hinesburg
Development Review Board Minutes
June 15, 2010
Approved 7-20-10
Members Present:Tom McGlenn, Dennis Place, Dick Jordan, Greg Waples, Zoë Wainer, Ted Bloomhardt , George Munson
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Alex Weinhagen (Director of Planning and Zoning), Peter Erb (Zoning Administrator), Mary Seemann (Recording Secretary), Bryan Cairns, John Cheeseman, Fran Waterman, Brad Wainer, Amy Escott, Tamara Orlow, Lou Mulieri, George Bedard, David & Barbra Lyman, John Lyman, Wayne Bissonette, Tony Cairns, Paul Wamsganz, Jim & Sam Collins, Ray & Ruth Ayer, William Leggett, Kristi Brown, Mike Anthony,
Joe Bissonette, Paul Wieczoreck
Furno Designs LTD:
Board: Zoë Wainer, Dick Jordan, Dennis Place, Tom McGlenn, George Munson, Ted Bloomhardt, Greg Waples
This is a 2-lot subdivision on Lincoln Hill Rd. George Bedard, the project engineer, described the division of the property as 2 parcels: one 3 acres and the other parcel as 7 existing acres which will stay the same as it is now. He displayed a map and pointed out the landscaping of trees (8 Douglas Firs and 6 Maples), drainage along side the road, the building envelope, the power line, which is across the street, coming on to the property then running underground to the new parcel, and said the existing well for the existing house is good at 20 gallons per minute.
Tom McGlenn said the Board did have a draft decision and asked the Board to review it for any changes or errors. Greg W made a motion to accept the decision, George M seconded. A vote was taken; 7-0 - THE MOTION PASSED.
Bissonette/Champlain Oil (Jiffy Mart):
Board: Zoë Wainer, Dick Jordan, Dennis Place, Tom McGlenn, George Munson, Ted Bloomhardt, Greg Waples
John Pitrowski, the project engineer, gave a showing of changes he and the applicants have made since the last meeting (Alex displayed the maps on the overhead projector for all to be able to follow along) pointing out there is now less pavement, the elimination of parking on Shelburne Falls Road, addition of sidewalks, a raised island on Shelburne Falls Road, and added cross hatching on the road as well. He stated the footprint of the store has increased from the original 4,000 sq.ft. to 5,600 sq.ft., the added signage, the relocation of the building on Westside Road, the enlargement of land dedicated to the Town, the wet land delineation, and the recreation fields out of the flood hazard area.
John said the project can connect to electricity on Farmall Drive and also connect to the water system thus not needing a new pump station.
He addressed issues that were in the Staff Report and read a letter from the Road Foreman, Mike Anthony regarding traffic flow. John said he is aware of the RSG’s report on traffic.
Wayne Bissonette stated if the Board makes them take out the “In Only” entrance it will make the corner lot worthless.
John said they did have the option of making the “In Only” a driveway and not a road and said if the Board cannot approve this they will withdraw the application and possibly come back at a later time with another design.
Greg W asked if there had been an independent traffic study done and John said not a full-blown study. John said they will need to have one done with the final process.
There was discussions regarding the distance between the intersection on Shelburne Falls Road and 116 and the “In Only” entrance, the need for four access points, what will happen to the old Ballard store, and the safety of crossing from the old store to the new; by foot and by car. There was also a discussion on making the “In Only” a two way and how that might effect the traffic flow.
Tom M inquired about Act 250, Greg W said he felt the Board needed a full-blown traffic study.
John P said he and the applicants were not expecting an answer tonight but stated they would like some dialogue.
Tony Cairns said in the store they invision a Dunkin Donuts and a Subway, thus the need for the parking. He explained the logic for the parking, how they changed the location of the building, and the four access points. He stated that the parking at the Ballard store now is the same layout as they are seeking for the new site.
Dick J asked why there is so much room around the truck fueling stations and Tony said for ease of getting the big-rigs/busses in, fueled and out.
Zoë W asked about the access on Bissonette Road.
Ted B said the changes make this application mixed use which is what the Town wants. He stated with so many entrances it may be confusing and perhaps they could make it easier and simple with just an entrance/exit on Westside Road.
There was a long discussion, with no outcome, on how many entrances/exits and where they should be located. Tony and John gave reasons why they proposed as many as they have.
Tom M opened up the meeting to the public for their questions and comments.
Ruth Ayer stated she can’t understand why any business would want to come to Hinesburg because the Board makes it so hard to get anything approved.
Amy Escott questioned the Westside Road stating her biggest concern was the traffic and why there has been no study done.
Bill Leggett said he had owned a store for many years and felt this plan made sense with the parking and traffic flow. He said it was a great design and should be approved.
Barb Lyman stated she liked the traffic design and flow, she especially liked the idea of having the trucks away from the front.
Tamara Orlow said the plans looked confusing and dangerous; she would also like to have a traffic study done.
Brad Wainer said he likes the plan and feels the Town is anti-business. He said the Board bent over backwards to help NRG out. He pointed out that NRG road does not have a stop sign for entering onto 116 and this developer is wiling to improve the traffic flow, widen the streets, and start the Westside Road. He also questioned if the Board really wanted parking on 116 for the Kinney Drugs project. He stressed the Town needs income from businesses and the Board should decide quickly on getting this project done.
Jim Collins said he thought the “Gateway” to Hinesburg was to be located at the Kinney Drugs site not at this corner.
John Lyman said this is a pre-existing business with existing traffic who just wants to relocate across the street.
Todd Lyman agreed with most of the people at the meeting; we have a developer to spend money in the Town for improvements and the Board should move quicker on this.
He also agrees that the Town doesn’t seem to want new or old business expanding here. Hinesburg needs to be promoting business growth and stop making it so hard for business to come in.
Tony C agreed with John Lyman and said they do have the choice of creating this new site or just develop more on the old site. They would prefer the new site.
Mike Anthony the Road Foreman stated he felt with the new lanes they are planning to put in it will be an improvement to the road and traffic flow.
Tom M asked for any final comments.
John Pitrowski asked if the applicant could sit in on the deliberative session if that is what the Board was planning. He understood that he and/or the applicant could not speak at the session but it would be helpful to them to hear what is on the Board’s minds.
Ted B stated that a traffic study had to be done sometime and John P said AOT has done a study. He asked if the 5 cars back would have a potential to back up traffic to 116. John P said a 5 car back is what most left turn lanes will hold.
Tom M asked if the study looked at the “In Only” scenario. Dick J said he was questioning the “In-Only” lane and whether they should get rid of it, but he did agree with the applicant that access to 116 in imperative.
Zoë W said she is concerned with the left hand turn lane on Shelburne Falls Road heading west. She also expressed concern about the four driveways that go onto Bissonette Road, and the pedestrian crossings. She said she felt there was a lot going on in that area and asked the applicant to take a closer look at it. Zoë W said she did agree with the applicant that a drive/road is important to the corner lot.
Peter E said he felt it could be dangerous for anyone who went straight across the street as there was nothing to stop them and kids may not want to take time to go out and around.
Mike Anthony asked if the island could be moved east.
Tony C said the island is situated to make it hard to drive straight across the road. One would have to do maneuvering.
Dick J said all the numbers for traffic are confusing and asked for clarity. Alex displayed the MPO’s study numbers and gave a short explaination.
Tom M made a motion to continue this discussion at the next meeting; this would give the applicant time to pull together the traffic numbers they had presented previously and give an estimate of what they thought the traffic on the corner would be.
George M said at this point they need to do something and get something done. He said he likes the plan and the circulation of traffic he feels is good.
Tom M made the motion to continue this on July 6th and Dick J seconded. A vote was taken. 7-0 - THE MOTION PASSED.
Other Business: Ted B and Zoë W excused themselves from the discussions as they had not participated in any of the hearings prior to tonights.
Carroll:
Board: Dick Jordan, Dennis Place, Tom McGlenn, George Munson, Greg Waples
There was discussion on lot coverage, taking out the shed, locating two references points and the gravel parking. The Board discussed the draft Findings of Fact and Dennis P made a motion to approve this application. Dick J seconded. A vote was taken 5-0. - THE MOTION PASSED.
Verizon: The Board discussed the landscaping and lighting for the property. They worked on verbiage in the Findings of Fact, Conclusion and Order. Dick J made a motion to approve the application. Dennis P seconded. A vote was taken. 5-0 - THE MOTION PASSED.
Tom M made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dennis P seconded. A vote was taken. 5-0 - THE MOTION PASSED.
Tom M adjourned the meeting at 10:30pm. Next scheduled meeting July 6, 2010.
Respectfully submitted
Mary Seemann
(Recording Secretary)