Town of Hinesburg
Development Review Board Minutes
August 24, 2010
Approved - September 7, 2010
Members Present: Tom McGlenn (Tom M), Dennis Place (Dennis P), Dick Jordan (Dick J), Zoë Wainer (Zoë W), George Munson (George M), Ted Bloomhardt (Ted B)
Members Absent: Greg Waples (Greg W)
Also Present: Alex Weinhagen (Director of Planning and Zoning) Peter Erb (Zoning Administrator), Mary Seemann (Recording Secretary), John Pitrowski, Tony Cairns, Wayne Bissonette, John Lyman, Michael Bissonette, Joseph Bissonette, Kristi Brown, Sara Blanchard, Holly Barrett, Dot Blanck, David & Barb Lyman, Wendi Stein, Jim Collins
Tom M called the meeting to order at 7: 32pm.
Minutes from August 3, 2010: Zoë W made a motion to accept the minutes as amended, Dick J seconded. A vote was taken. 5-0. Ted B abstained as he was not present at the meeting. THE MOTION PASSED
Bissonette/Champlain Oil (Jiffy Mart) Preliminary Plat 2-lot subdivision
Members: Tom McGlenn, Dennis Place, Dick Jordan, Zoë Wainer, George Munson, Ted Bloomhardt
Tom M stated the Board had before them a draft decision for the preliminary plat approval. He asked the Board members and public if anyone had any comments or questions.
Zoë W asked for clarification on what the final verdict of Bissonette drive is, are they going to make it a road or a driveway. Zoë W stated in the Findings of Facts it was talking about it as a definite road. John Pitrowski (project engineer) said they will leave the Right-of-Way to allow it to go either way. It will be built to town’s standards and provide the Right-of-Way to allow it to be a town road. After some discussion it was agreed that it will be a road not a driveway.
John Pitrowski said a change had been made regarding the setback for the building. He stated this had been an oversight and showed they have moved Westside Road 10’ to the west to allow for the set back.
Zoë W stated to Alex W in the draft, he made conclusions about the preliminary landscaping plan and she wanted to know; how, going forward, (for the applicant and the Board) would we be trying to calculate the cost of all the shared landscaping budget as it relates to he overall project? Alex shared his opinion that whatever infrastructure was constructed to get Jiffy Mart up and running, should be included in the calculation. Zoë W said she felt it was really up to the Board to make this decision.
This led to a discussion on landscaping, types of trees, and the importance of the view shed from 116 heading south.
Dick J asked, with the moving of the Westside road by 10’ making the west lot 10’ narrower, is the applicant below any minimum lot dimensions as the usable land is becoming a long skinny lot due to the wetland. He said he had been looking through the Decision and was glad to see the comments regarding concerns about the right turn lane not being there or holding off on it right now. He stated he was concerned at the last meeting on how the trucks get out, possibly on Bissonette Drive if they were coming through from the west. He said he realized the applicant has gone to great lengths to keep the car and truck traffic separate.
John Pitrowski said they had laid out there template for trucks and the trucks will be able to drive into the diesel pumps, turn and actually sweep around and come back out on Westside Road. John stated that Westside Road is intended to be the primary road. The applicant did update the traffic report to show that the project is not making the existing intersection of Shelburne Falls Road and RT 116 any worse.
Peter E asked Alex W if it was the intention to get plans for the canopies. Tom M said it would be very important to know what they look like and also the size of them.
John Pitrowski said they will have to go through a signage proposal and usually they do provide visual pictures of what the canopies are going to look like.
The Board agreed to have Alex W put this under Order #4E in the draft decision.
Tom M asked the applicant if they had any other comments, concerns or questions for the Board. John Pitrowski said one thing was the location of storm water ponds. He said there is a position by this Board to try and keep the 75’ buffer and the swale sacred and not use that for storm water ponds but is asking the Board to keep an open mind to the fact there may have to be one in the buffer. He said the project is talking about putting a trail through there as one of the amenities for recreation so there probably will be some landscaping.
Tom M made a motion to close the public hearing and approve the Decision with the addition of the canopy (#4E) in the Order section of the Findings of Fact. George M seconded the motion. A vote was taken. 6-0 - THE MOTION PASSED
Lyman/Milot: Kinney Drugs: 12-lot subdivision
Members: Tom McGlenn, Dennis Place, Dick Jordan, Zoë Wainer, George Munson, Ted Bloomhardt
Alex W started this application saying he has not written up a draft decision as yet.
The Board discussed creating a performance bond or other financial guarantee to insure there will be monies to complete the project infrastructure and landscaping. Again there was some discussion on affordable housing, parking spaces, trails and recreation fields.
Zoë W asked about the landscaping for the project stating they need to make certain there will be no invasive trees or shrubs planted. She asked if they were considering a “Green Roof” for the project.
It was pointed out that the sign is still in need of approval and the applicant has not submitted renderings of size and appearance of the sign that are within the size limits in the zoning regulations.
There was more discussion on where and how much fill was going to be used and if it would have any impact on Patrick Brook or neighboring parcels. Discussions on culvert size versus having a bridge on the Westside road, flood hazard area and the 100 year flood potential.
Peter E asked if the Board thought there was enough spacing between the residential buildings.
Jim Collins handed out pictures, both north and south, of Rte 116 showing the trees that are planted and how it obscures ones view of what is on the properties. He asked if this is an intentional plan, to hide the area.
Tom M suggested the applicant work with staff in order to be ready for the meeting on the 7th. Applicant agreed to do so stating he hopes at that meeting the Board will close the public hearing and approve the application in order to move forward.
Tom M made a motion to continue this application on September 7th and staff will have a Draft decision for the Board to vote on. Dick J seconded the motion. A vote was taken. 6-0 - THE MOTION PASSED
Kershner Signs: Signage
Members: Tom McGlenn, Dennis Place, Dick Jordan, Zoë Wainer, George Munson, Ted Bloomhardt
Fletcher Allen has taken over Hinesburg Family Health and wants a new sign showing their name. The applicant (Kershner Signs) showed pictures of how it will look with the change. The sign that is up now measures 30” x 78” and the new sign would measure 40” x 84”.
Ted B made a motion to approve application. Zoë W seconded. A vote was taken. 6-0 - THE MOTION PASSED
Other Business:
Green Street LLC is having issues with sidewalks and water run off. The Board left this to the Zoning Administrator to negotiate the sidewalk schedule, taking into account the Towns desire to address the existing intersection and drainage.
Tom M made a motion to adjourn the meeting, George M seconded. The meeting adjourned at 9:15pm.
Next scheduled meeting: September 7th.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Seemann
(Recording Secretary)