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October 2010
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING October 14, 2010 MEMBERS PRESENT: Dick Elkins (Chairman); Brian Precourt, Kate Lalley, Ron Bouchard, Sam Chauncey, Tucker Holland. STAFF PRESENT: Dean Pierce, Town Planner. OTHERS PRESENT: Doug Merrill, Michael Serrano, John Ondovchik, Michael Abrahms, Margo Callaghan, Heather McKim (Shelburne News). AGENDA:
1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Dick Elkins called the meeting to order at 7 PM. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. 3. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Michael Serrano inquired about the status of the request to change the zoning on Mr. Ondovchik’s parcel to allow residential in the Commerce and Industry zone. Dick Elkins explained the Planning Commission decided to hold on the zoning change until further information on the application for a manufacturing use on the Pizzagalli lot is received. The Planning Commission did not want to handicap a use geared toward commerce and industry on the site. Mr. Serrano was advised he can follow up on the Pizzagalli application with the Development Review Board. 4. TOWN PLAN POLICY LANGUAGE REVIEW Growth and Development Policies Suggested amendments include: · Growth and Development, introductory paragraph, second bullet – rewrite to read: “The amount and pattern of development to be accommodated by the town will reinforce the efficient use of land, promote economic development and support the town’s ability to provide high quality services and facilities at a reasonable cost.” · Population Growth, Objective #4 - insert “and pattern” after the word ‘intensity’. · Population Growth, Recommended Actions #3 – rewrite to read: “Amend the town’s zoning ordinance to encourage the development of diverse housing options including affordable housing and work force housing (e.g. rental apartments, small condominiums, and small detached dwellings).” · Economic Development, introductory paragraph, first sentence – rewrite to read: “Economic development is the creation of incremental jobs and taxes and the responsibility of both the public and private sectors.” · Community Utilities, Facilities, and Services, Objectives – Add #5 to read: “Plan future commercial and residential development in designated growth areas at a pattern convenient and accessible for pedestrians.” There was discussion of population growth being no more than an average of 110 persons per year. Dean Pierce reported new census numbers are not yet available. Parks and Recreation There was discussion of the village being pedestrian friendly only in certain areas (by the green and shopping area) and that there really is not a ‘center of town’ or a ‘main street’. Route 7 has a huge impact on the village area. There was also discussion of school children walking and biking to school, crossing guards at Harbor Road, extending the sidewalk on Harbor Road, and the signal timing at the intersection of Route 7/Harbor Road. Suggested amendments to the Parks and Recreation regulations include: · Objective #5 – delete “as recommended in the STAT report” because the report is over six years old. · Objective #6 – add to end of sentence: “and be interconnected to existing and planned pedestrian facilities”. · Recommended Actions #6 – insert “and town owned lands when appropriate” after the words ‘Lake Champlain’ and include the LaPlatte Nature Park in the list of sites. Matrix of Task Assignments Tucker Holland suggested a category showing who is assigned the task primarily (primary assignment) and who provides support. Staff will circulate the matrix to town committees for comment. 5. REQUESTED ZONING CHANGES Dean Pierce reviewed correspondence from Larry Williams who is generally supportive of the zoning change (Naud property), but is concerned about the alternate setback requirement for commercial development adjacent to residential development. Mr. Williams was sent a timeline for the zoning changes, but a response has not yet been received. The map showing conserved land around the Naud property was reviewed. Staff will update the map to include conserved land related to the VELCO exchange. There was discussion of the setback on the Naud property. A PUD requires a 50’ perimeter setback. Approximately 20 acres of the developable area on the Naud parcel would be targeted for development. Dean Pierce will draft language to address residential development abutting commercial development and ask Mr. Naud to provide a graphic showing the proposed building area on his parcel. 6. MUNICIPAL PLANNING GRANT Dean Piercer briefly reviewed the application for a $20,000 municipal planning grant. There was discussion of the AIA program and including mention in the proposal of a connection to the historic character of the village and being open to a new approach to the Route 7 area. Brian Precourt noted Shelburne is more than just the village; there are other places in the town besides the village. 7. FLOOD MAP REVISIONS Staff reported the federal flood maps are being updated. 8. UPDATES Survey Over 400 responses have been received to date (more paper replies than electronic). The previous survey had 500 responses. UVM is beginning the analysis of results. Following discussion there was concurrence the end date for completed surveys should be extended by a few days. 9. UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULE, PROCESS, AND AGENDAS Agenda Items:
Next meeting(s):
10. APPROVAL OF MINUTES August 26, 2010 MOTION by Sam Chauncey, SECOND by Brian Precourt, to approve the 8/26/10 minutes as written. VOTING; unanimous (5-0)[Ron Bouchard not present for vote]; motion carried. September 23, 2010 MOTION by Tucker Holland, SECOND by Sam Chauncey, to approve the 9/23/10 minutes with the following clarification/correction: Page 3, Requested Zoning Changes, Naud property, 1st sentence – insert “mixed use” before the word “residential”. VOTING: unanimous (5-0)[Ron Bouchard not present for vote]; motion carried. 11. OTHER BUSINESS/CORRESPONDENCE Route 7 Project A report on the Route 7 project by Norwich students will be presented to the Planning Commission prior to the December meeting. 12. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Dick Elkins, SECOND by Sam Chauncey, to adjourn the meeting. VOTING: unanimous (5-0)[Ron Bouchard not present for vote]; motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:17 PM. RScty: MERiordan *************************************
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING October 28, 2010 MEMBERS PRESENT: Dick Elkins (Chairman); Brian Precourt, Ron Bouchard, Sam Chauncey, Tucker Holland. (Kate Lalley was absent.) STAFF PRESENT: Dean Pierce, Town Planner. OTHERS PRESENT: Gail Albert, Mark Naud, Yves Bradley, Heather McKim (Shelburne News). AGENDA:
1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Dick Elkins called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA There were no changes to the agenda. 3. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Discussion of Request to Expand Sewer Service Area Gail Albert, Shelburne Natural Resources and Conservation Committee, provided the Planning Commission with a copy of the letter from SNRCC to the Selectboard regarding the request from Stephanie O’Brien for possible expansion of the sewer service district. SNRCC had some comments on the proposal. Dick Elkins stated the Selectboard asked that the Planning Commission discuss the potential of expanding the sewer service area, possibly up Falls Road to include the O’Brien property. The town has ample capacity. Dean Pierce said he will forward a copy of the letter from Stephanie O’Brien when he receives it. The letter puts the request in broader terms, not just to benefit the O’Brien property. Sam Chauncey asked if there is an historic rule of thumb or a formula that triggers expansion. Gail Albert recalled the plan for the sewer district was set for 20 years and about 10 years has passed. The plan was consciously set to allow the town to determine how it wants to grow. There is excess capacity due to the economy. The sewer district suggests where growth should be focused. Smart Growth concentrates growth to create a walk-able environment. To expand the district is inviting urban sprawl and will impact areas in town that the people value, said Ms. Albert. Tucker Holland pointed out density, not the sewer district, drives growth. The Planning Commission will discuss the issue on a future agenda. Gail Albert stated the Planning Commission’s role is to set the tone of the town’s goals, and urged the Planning Commission to consider the town as a whole when contemplating expansion of the sewer district rather than one particular development. The Planning Commission recommended SNRCC present an opinion via letter and any evidence when the item is discussed. 4. TOWN PLAN POLICY LANGUAGE REVIEW Parks and Recreation The suggested language does not preclude having 3rd party involvement with town owned land, but the intent is for the town to oversee public land. Housing Suggested amendments include: · The first sentence in Objective #3 should read: “The rate of new housing construction should not exceed an average of 45 units per year.” The population growth from 1960 through 2010 will be reviewed when the census numbers are available. · Objective #4 is referring to work force housing. Objective #5 is referring to affordable housing. The amount of work force housing and affordable housing in town should be realistically noted in the plan. The town is at 10%, not 20% of affordable and work force housing so either the goal needs to be changed or the zoning regulations changed to provide an incentive to help reach the stated goal. · Objective #6 should read: “Affordable and work force housing in particular should be located close to public services…” · Objective #9 should read: “Promote innovative and creative development layouts…” · Recommended Action #1 has been done for the zoning regulations (incorporate definition of affordable housing), but not for the subdivision regulations. · Recommended Action #4 provides residents of a mobile home park the opportunity to purchase the park. This is also a means to retain affordable housing. The phrase ‘mobile home parks’ should be changed to “mobile home community”. · Recommended Action #5 has already been done and can be deleted from the list. · Recommended Action #6 refers to a residential phasing policy which is not yet drafted. · Recommended Action #8 refers to inclusionary zoning provisions which are not yet drafted. · Recommended Action #9 refers to impact fee waivers. The Selectboard controls impact fees, not the Planning Commission. · Recommended Action #10 should read: “Consider increasing the size limits on accessory apartment in town.” Task Assignment Matrix Dean Pierce will circulate the task matrix to the various town committees for comment. Dick Elkins objected to the “local property transfer tax” mentioned in Item #2 under Natural and Scenic Resources because this adds taxes to housing. In Item #11 under Historic and Cultural Resources, the statement about solar energy facilities should read: “…such threats may include location of solar energy facilities…” rather than ‘installation of solar energy facilities’. 5. ZONING AND PLAN MAP CHANGES Dean Pierce reported there has been no further correspondence from Larry Williams who remains generally supportive of the proposed zoning change in the Commerce and Industry zone with the concern about setbacks. Language to address the setbacks has been drafted to allow a 25’ setback except when a residential use predates a proposed other allowed use, then the setback is 100’. Dick Elkins stated the setback needs to offer a buffer for a residential development next to an industrial use. Dean Pierce pointed out a PUD has a 50’ setback requirement. Mark Naud reviewed the proposal for mixed use development on his property in the Commerce and Industry zone, highlighting the VELCO easement and 100’ setback as well as the easement for the bike path and the Bay Colony sewer line. There is a right-of-way to the property for access across the railroad tracks. Conduit for underground utilities (gas, force main, wiring for quiet zone crossing) is already in place. There have been discussions with The Nature Conservancy about preserving high quality resource values on the parcel in exchange for low quality resources. Prior to the VELCO easement being cut the property was totally screened from view. The Planning Commission needs to discuss and decide whether to change the zoning and plan map for the Naud parcel in its entirety. Also, the zoning and plan map need to be amended to show the Action Associates property in conservation. Gail Albert stated SNRCC would encourage protecting and buffering the LaPlatte River through the property. Mr. Naud outlined the buffers and no build zones that are currently on the property. MOTION by Sam Chauncey, SECOND by Tucker Holland, at the next meeting (November 11, 2010) to discuss for public hearing the zoning and plan map changes relative to the Action and Naud parcels in Commerce and Industry and the required reports. VOTING: unanimous (5-0); motion carried. 6. DRAFT NOISE ORDINANCE Dick Elkins suggested Village Residential and Shelburne Falls Mixed Use areas have the same decibel maximums as the Residential category. Enforcement of the noise ordinance will be handled by the police. Dean Pierce will ask the Police Chief to review the draft ordinance for comment before forwarding the draft to the Selectboard. 7. UPDATES Survey According to the survey responses only 12% felt the town’s moderate income housing goal is too high and only 20% felt the low income housing goal is too high. According to 300 responses development of more affordable housing was the fourth most frequently mentioned issue facing the town. Other issues included the budget (33% of respondents) and protecting open space and natural resources (43% of respondents). Presentation by Norwich University Students on Route 7 Project December 8th is the date of the presentation on the Rte. 7 project by Norwich University students. 8. UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULE, PROCESS, AND AGENDAS Agenda Items:
Next meeting(s):
9. APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 14, 2010 MOTION by Tucker Holland, SECOND by Brian Precourt, to approve the 10/14/10 minutes as written. VOTING; unanimous (5-0); motion carried. 10. OTHER BUSINESS/CORRESPONDENCE Expansion of the Sewer Service Area The Planning Commission would like more explanation from the Selectboard of why the expansion is being considered and who bears the burden of the cost. Also, additional information is needed on possible impacts and areas of town affected by the expansion. There was agreement the entire town should be taken into consideration, not just one area. Gail Albert commented there may not be a net gain to the town with the associated increase in housing and services. 11. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Sam Chauncey, SECOND by Tucker Holland, to adjourn the meeting. VOTING: unanimous (5-0); motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 PM. RScty: MERiordan
January 2010Planning Commission Minutes February 2010 Planning Commission Minutes March 2010 Planning Commission Minutes April 2010 Planning Commission Minutes May 2010 Planning Commission Minutes June 2010 Planning Commission Minutes July 2010 Planning Commission Minutes August 2010 Planning Commission Minutes September 2010 Planning Commission Minutes October 2010 Planning Commission Minutes November 2010 Planning Commission Minutes December 2010 Planning Commission Minutes |
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