Town of Hinesburg
Development Review Board Minutes
September 21, 2010
-Approved October 5, 2010-
Members Present: Dennis Place, Zoë Wainer, Ted Bloomhardt, Greg Waples, Tom McGlenn, George Munson
Members Absent: Dick Jordan
Also Present: Alex Weinhagen (Director of Planning and Zoning), Peter Erb (Zoning Administrator), Mary Seemann (Recording Secretary), Dave Hirth, Mac Rood, Dave & Barbara Lyman, Peggy Montgomery, Jim Collins, Lenore Budd
Tom M called the meeting to order at 7:32p.m.
Green Street LLC- Revision to a previously approved subdivision:
Members: Zoë Wainer, Dennis Place, Ted Bloomhardt. Greg Waples, Tom McGlenn, George Munson
Mac Rood (from Green St. LLC) asked the Board for an extension to next year, 2011, for the sidewalk along Charlotte Road. He stated when the intersection was redone they made the drainage grading too high so now he would like to coordinate the correction of the drainage with the placing of the sidewalk with all to be completed by September 2011. He was also asking the Board if he would be able to get the CO's (Certificate of Occupancy) on the units he sells before the September 2011 date.
Mac was asked if the state does not fix the drainage is he still committed to finish the sidewalk by next years date?
Mac said he was and the way it is written and the way the request is; if the problem is not corrected they will just go ahead and put the sidewalk assuming they ask for CO's. He said this would be a trigger for putting the sidewalk in.
George M said with that as a trigger if Mac decided to only build the ones that are already underway there would be not trigger to put the sidewalk in. Mac said he thought even having just one house would be enough of a trigger.
It was asked when the “button up” date is that the state uses. Mac said the state uses October 15th and said it would be great if his project could use that date if the Board is going to set a “no later than” date.
Tom M closed the public meeting and directed staff to come up with Conditions of Approval.
Alex W said if the Board was amenable, rather than drafting another decision they could let the minutes be the decision and reflect the three conditions that were listed in his staff report.
Tom M said instead of directing staff to come up with Conditions of Approval, it would be to modify prior approval for Green Street LLC. Changing the Condition/Order #8 with the three caveats that are in the staff report which are:
-The sidewalk must be constructed by October 15, 2011.
-There will be no further extensions beyond that date.
-No residential certificates of occupancy shall be granted after that date unless the sidewalk is complete.
-Is able to obtain Certificate of Occupancy (CO’s) before the end date of October 15, 2011.
After some discussion and questions from the Board a motion was made to modify Condition/Order #8 of the 5-1-2007 Green Street decision as noted above. A vote was taken. 6-0. - THE MOTION PASSED
Hinesburg Police Department: Peter Erb stated the applicant has withdrawn their application until a later date.
Bedard, George: 8-lot subdivision on Texas Hill Sketch Plan
Members: Zoë Wainer, Dennis Place, Ted Bloomhardt. Greg Waples, Tom McGlenn, George Munson
George B showed the Board his original plans from 1999 which the DRB at the time had approved. He then showed a drawing of the new plans and pointed out the differences: a different layout for the lots making them 3 acres +/- each, a different road/driveway to the interior of the lots, and the 75’ buffer zone on the properties edges. This buffer would allow for future town trails and wildlife usage. The new plans showed no dense clustering, nor the future location of the building envelopes. He gave a conceptual narrative of what he has in mind for the new development and said he would return with all the details worked out at a Preliminary hearing.
Well issues were discussed; would each have their own well, would there be a communal well, what if the buyers do not find water on their property. Peggy Montgomery asked if George B had done any dowsing on the land and he said he has. George B stated if they could not find water on a parcel there would most likely be sharing of water with surrounding parcels.
Wildlife migration was discussed and how this development (dividing the parcel) would impact them. George B said there is still a lot of wooded area for any and all wildlife. George M said there is a misconception that the animals would know where any lines would be. They will go where they want, when they want.
Jim Collins pointed out that now there is little to no large wildlife in the town forest due to mountain bikes and he liked this idea for the development as it would keep the mountain bikes out of the area which in turn could help the return and population of the larger wildlife.
David Hirth, from the Conversation Committee said he was concerned that land be left open for wildlife to cross over Texas Hill, a wildlife corridor. He asked if there was a push to make the buyers place their houses in a certain area. George said there was and this is covered in the building envelope.
Lenore Budd, from the Trails Committee asked for clarification on the northwest corner of the subdivision, and said she would like to know more in regards to a Town wide trail.
The question of an Association for the development was discussed. George B said he thought there would be an Association for the upkeep of the road only.
Jim Collins said he would like to see, as part of the approval, some verbiage about not being able to subdivide the lots any further.
Ted B asked about road cutting and George B showed where the cut would be in connection to the brook and road.
George B said he would be willing to come back with drawn plans of his narrative. He wants to keep the conversation alive and moving along.
Tom M suggested keeping the meeting open and continue it at the October 5th meeting. At that meeting George B could return with revised drawings further discussion. A vote was taken. 6-0. - THE MOTION PASSED
Other Business:
Ayer, Tom: 2-lot subdivision Sketch.
After some discussion, corrections, and additions, a vote was taken to approve. 6-0. - THE MOTION PASSED
Minutes of September 7th: Tom M and George M abstained from voting. Zoë W made a motion to accept the minutes as amended, Ted B seconded. A vote was taken. 6-0 - THE MOTION PASSED
Tom M closed the public meeting at 9:00pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Seemann
(Recording Secretary)