Town of Hinesburg
Development Review Board Minutes
September 7, 2010
Approved 9-21-10
Members Present: Dennis Place (Dennis P), Dick Jordan (Dick J), Greg Waples (Greg W), Zoë Wainer (Zoë W), Ted Bloomhardt (Ted B)
Members Absent: Tom McGlenn (Tom M), George Munson (George M)
Also Present: Alex Weinhagen (Director of Planning and Zoning), Peter Erb (Zoning Administrator), Mary Seemann (Recording Secretary), Wayne Bissonette, John Lyman, Dot Blanck, David & Barb Lyman, Carl Bohlen, Greg Rabideau, Brett Grabowski, Tom Ayer
Zoë Wainer chaired the nights meeting, calling the meeting to order at 7:32pm.
Minutes from August 24, 2010: Ted B made a motion to accept the minutes as amended, Dick J seconded, Greg Waples abstained. A vote was taken. 4-0. - THE MOTION PASSED
Lyman/Milot: Kinney Drugs: 12-lot subdivision (3 applications)
Members: Dennis Place, Dick Jordan, Zoë Wainer, Ted Bloomhardt
The Board started out with four applications, but at the last minute the applicant withdrew the application for signage saying they will submit it to the Board at a later date. The first draft decision the Board discussed was:
Conditional Use for Development in a Flood hazard area. This is the third and final step of a 3-step process for a major subdivision.
Zoë W pointed out on the planting schedule some of the trees and shrubs that are shown on the plans were not on the schedule, also the plans do not show the correct number of plantings in some cases. She pointed out some corrections that needed to be made as to what type(s) of tree(s) or shrub(s) will be planted and where.
There was discussion on the landscaping, suggesting an easement on the property for a trail/path to connect to the adjoining property that will be developed by Wayne Bissonette, and the growth rate of the trees and shrubs.
Dick J asked about plantings that die off. He thought that usually there was verbiage on the replanting of failed plantings. Alex W said there is no “boilerplate” language that addresses that subject, that it is assumed what is on the plan needs to be there; if not, whoever owns the property can be taken to task by the Zoning Administrator to get it back in compliance. Alex W said they can spell that out specifically it the Board wants, adding something like “all these planting will be maintained and replaced as necessary.” Dick J stated that the Board had received a lot of comments from the public but mostly from the Creekside residents as to the visual impact of the Kinney buildings. Once the other buildings (residential buildings) get built up and all the landscaping goes in it will mediate the view. He asked, given the uncertainty of when these will actually be built out, should there be some point in time, say five years out, where if the ground is not broken on these residential units that some amount of landscaping get put into those areas? How long will the neighbors have to look across the area and not see landscaping?
Alex W stated the applicant would be putting in all the street trees right away and showed the other landscaping that will be planted so the neighbors will have that to look through. The idea of there being substantial screening of the western façade of the Kinney’s building will not happen initially because that screening is really provided by the residential buildings.
Dick J asked if where the residential buildings will be built would that be lawn, (nice grass not hay field) maintained and mowed? Greg Rabideau said it would be.
Alex W asked the Board if they wanted to add a Condition stating the vacant land will be kept in a neat and maintained fashion pursuant to the applicants testimony.
Zoë W asked if there were any questions from the audience. There were no questions.
Conditional Use on Site Plan & Final Plat Approval:
Alex W said he asked Peter E to review this draft decision as he is the one who will have to administer this stuff later. Peter E said he was uncomfortable with Order #2 in the Conditional Use Site Plan, because there is no information about the exterior lighting. Brett Grabowski said he can present the specifics on the exterior lighting, which will include the sign for Kinney’s as well as the fixtures on the outside of the building to staff or come back and present them to the Board.
Ted B said they should write “further details on building exterior lighting will be submitted to the DRB- approval obtained.
Alex W said there are still issues regarding the freestanding sign that need to be addressed. How intense are the lights, where are they placed, and what do the fixtures look like.
Ted B said he had a question on how they would establish a trail of assessment or responsibility as lots change hands. Alex W said it could be tied to the Home Owners Association (HOA) and let them decide on the percentage homeowners would have to pay for future issues like sidewalks. Shared parking between the homeowners and businesses was discussed with no permanent outcome.
Zoë Wainer moved to close the public hearing and take these applications up in deliberative session. Dick J seconded. A vote was taken. 4-0 with Greg W abstaining. - THE MOTION PASSED
Ayer, Raymond & Ruth: Revision to Final Plat
Members: Dennis Place, Dick Jordan, Zoë Wainer, Ted Bloomhardt, Greg Waples
George Bedard gave a presentation showing the property Raymond & Ruth own and the part of the parcel they want to give to their son Tom. Ray would be transferring approximately 3.91 acres to Tom which will then allow Tom to subdivide his property.
Alex W said there is nothing in the regulations that prohibits this. Tom stated there are no plans of putting anything on the land being transferred.
After some discussion Zoë W moved to close the public hearing and approve as amended. Dennis P seconded. A vote was taken. 5-0. - The Motion Passed.
Ayer, Tom: Sketch
Members: Dennis Place, Dick Jordan, Zoë Wainer, Ted Bloomhardt, Greg Waples
The Board asked questions regarding the lot abutting Tom’s because there is a shed on it that is used by the golf course to store lawn fertilizer, pesticides etc. Tom explained that the shed was only used as a temporary hold area during the season. The golf course now only uses it occasionally .
Alex said he had the draft almost complete.
Zoë W made a motion to close the public hearing and instruct Alex to finish draft approval to be discussed at the September 21st meeting. A vote was taken. 5-0. - The Motion Passed.
Deliberative Session: The Board went into deliberative session at 9:30pm to discuss the Kinney project more.
The Board came out of deliberative session at 10:35pm.
Conditional Use Development in a Flood Hazard Area. Ted B made a motion to approve Dennis P seconded the motion. A vote was taken. 5-0. - The Motion Passed.
Conditional Use & Site Plan Approval: Ted B made a motion to approve the draft as amended. Dick J seconded. A vote was taken. 5-0. - The Motion Passed.
Ted B made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Dennis P seconded. The meeting adjourned at 10:45pm.
Next Scheduled Meeting: September 21, 2010
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Seemann
(Recording Secretary)