MEMBERS PRESENT:       Rick Peterson (Chairman); Claude LaPierre, Reg Gignoux, Hilda White, Tucker Holland, Kay Kraushaar, Fred Schmidt.

STAFF PRESENT:                Dean Pierce, Town Planner.

OTHERS PRESENT:            Jim Dudley, Jim Olson, Marge Sharp (Shelburne News).

        PUBLIC HEARING: Draft Comprehensive Plan

1.      Call to Order (regular meeting)

2.      Approval of Minutes (10/27/05)

3.      Design Review, Patrick and Christine Grangien, 195 Falls Road (DR05-28)

4.      Site Plan Review, Patrick and Christine Grangien, 195 Falls Road (SP05-06)

5.      Site Plan Amendment, DDH-GSH Trust/Econolodge & Suites, 3164 Shelburne Road (SP05-04R1)

6.      Other Business, Correspondence

7.      Adjournment

Chairman Peterson opened the public hearing on the draft Comprehensive Plan at 7 p.m. Dean Pierce gave an overview and background information on the Plan, highlighted survey findings, statutory requirements, major elements of the new draft and significant changes/additions. The new vision statement was reviewed along with map changes, the current plan, proposed changes, policy recommendations and the amendment process.

 

Jim Dudley, Chairman of the Shelburne Selectboard, referred to the survey questions/responses and asked where it is explained how to pay for initiatives such as conserving land and moderating taxes. Rick Peterson explained there are statutory requirements (transportation/education facilities) that go beyond community living so the Plan does include discussion of scale of services to be provided to meet the needs of the community. The Plan does not dictate budget numbers (that is the responsibility of the Selectboard).  The Plan includes a section on policy and there is language encouraging economic development. With regard to the tax rate, the Plan says the town needs to ensure development does not occur so that the costs of the development are externalized to the entire town (e.g. the development necessitates a new/additional fire department or more roads). Mr. Dudley asked how the Plan addresses balancing the desire to moderate taxes and conserve land. Reg Gignoux stated the Plan suggests a limit on housing development (110 residents per year) to help hold the cost burden on the town. Fred Schmidt noted the questions on the survey were designed to educate the public on what the Planning Commission is doing. The Planning Commission is always trying to be fiscally responsible, but does not control the budget of the town or the schools.

 

Mr. Dudley mentioned facilitating development in the village, and asked the Planning Commission to consider the Village Plan when dealing with applications pertaining to the village area. Rick Peterson assured the Planning Commission anticipates the Village Plan will augment the Comprehensive Plan.  Mr. Dudley referred to the section in the Plan on paths and supporting safe routes to school, and asked the Planning Commission to consider this matter.

 

Mr. Dudley referred to Page 55 of the Plan, Item #4, Recommendations - Energy, and suggested the wording be changed to say “…consider life cycle cost” in addition to other economic tools.  Also, Item #21 under Energy regarding exploring sites for community based wind power, there are various renewable energy methods, noted Mr. Dudley, questioning if the Plan is recommending the town pursue independent production of energy by wind power or other production facilitated by the local government (i.e. the town undertaking its own power generation). Rick Peterson clarified the language in the Plan is referring to community wind power installations meaning a collection of wind turbines in one place (wind farm) rather than scattered here and there. The word “community” refers to “cluster” in this case. The language was included to provide the town with some ability to guide or make comment on any proposal to install a wind turbine, for example. It was agreed the language may need to be clarified to avoid confusion.

 

There were no further comments. The public hearing was closed at 8 p.m. It was noted there will be a second public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan. Copies of the Plan are available from the Planning Office upon request or can be downloaded from the town website.

 

Chairman Peterson called the regular meeting to order at 8:01 p.m.

 

 

Patrick Grangien appeared on behalf of the application.

 

Mr. Grangien explained the plan for a gourmet store at 195 Falls Road. The existing first floor apartment will be converted to a store. The apartment on the second floor will remain. Vinyl siding on the house will be returned to clapboard. The staircase to the second floor will be moved to the back of the building where the existing shed is presently located (the shed will be removed for the interior stairwell). A covered wrap-around porch to the back of the building by the kitchen area will be added. The windows will be replaced with the units recommended by the Design Review Committee. The porch railing and flooring will be replaced. The flooring will be a composite material. Recessed lighting will be installed in the porch ceiling. The lights will be on a dimmer and not on all night long.

 

The Planning Commission received a staff report on the design review application, dated 11/10/05.

 

None. Chairman Peterson closed the evidentiary portion of the hearing.

 

 

Patrick Grangien appeared on behalf of the application.

 

Mr. Grangien stated the gourmet store will be small so there will not be a high volume of traffic generated.  There was discussion of the parking shown on the site plan (12 spaces). Rick Peterson pointed out per the regulations only nine parking spaces are required (seven spaces for the store because there is less than 1,000 s.f. of retail space and two parking spaces for the apartment). Mr. Grangien stated the parking area will be gravel. There was discussion of the loading area being parking space #4 which is also the handicap parking space. Mr. Grangien stated it is most likely deliveries will occur prior to the opening of business for the day. The store will be open until 7 p.m. There was further discussion of the parking on the site and eliminating parking spaces #11 and #12 behind the barn so more green space can be preserved. It was noted there is adequate public parking available in the area. The suggestion to install a grass median between the sidewalk and road on Falls Road was mentioned which will likely eliminate any parking in front of the building in the future.  Following further discussion, it was agreed parking spaces #11 and #12 could be designated for the tenants in the apartment in the building.

 

There was mention of landscaping and screening. It was noted the trees toward the front of the building belong to the applicant. Mr. Grangien said the large tree at the front of the house will be removed because the branches are touching the roof and the roots are in the lawn and driveway. Hilda White suggested cutting back the limbs by the house and leaving the mature tree in place. Fred Schmidt suggested the landscaping lost to the parking area be recaptured. Also, the dumpster, if there is one, needs to be screened. It was suggested a good location for the dumpster might be behind the small barn toward the rear of the property.  The applicant assured with the building being renovated to look nice, the landscaping will look good as well.

 

Fred Schmidt asked if there will be a handicap ramp to access the porch. Mr. Grangien said he is discussing the matter with the state to see if a ramp is required.

 

Rick Peterson asked about exterior lighting on the building. Mr. Grangien said the sign will having lighting, and there will be lights for the tenants. Dean Pierce advised review by the Design Review Committee and the Planning Commission is necessary for the sign application.

 

The Planning Commission received a staff report on the site plan application, dated 11/10/05.

 

None.  Chairman Peterson closed the evidentiary portion of the hearing.

 

 

Jim Olson appeared on behalf of the application.

 

Mr. Olson reported the southern curb cut on the property will be closed due to the Route 7 project. Green space which will meld with green space on the adjacent property (restaurant) will be added.  One parking space on the north side of the property will be converted to green space as well. The property is being made less nonconforming per the Shelburne zoning regulations. Conditional use approval was granted by the Zoning Board relative to the application to move the building back from the road as previously presented.

 

The Planning Commission received a staff report on the application, dated 11/10/05.

 

None. Chairman Peterson closed the evidentiary portion of the hearing.

 

None.

 

MOTION by Reg Gignoux, SECOND by Tucker Holland, to adjourn the meeting. VOTE: unanimous (7-0); motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:       Rick Peterson (Chairman); Reg Gignoux, Hilda White, Kay Kraushaar, Claude LaPierre

STAFF PRESENT:                Dean Pierce, Town Planner.

OTHERS PRESENT:            Ryan Rodriguez, Michael Munson

1.      Call to Order

2.      Design Review, Linda Ryan (DR05-29)

3.      Work Session on Zoning Bylaw

4.      Other Business

5.      Adjournment

Chairman Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

 

 

As noted in the staff report for the project, Linda Ryan proposes to erect a 8’ by 16’ prefabricated shed in rear yard of property at 5867 Shelburne Road. No other changes to the structure or site are proposed.

 

The Historic Preservation and Design Review Commission (HP&DRC) considered the application at a meeting held on November 16, 2005.  The HP&DRC voted to recommend approval of the application by the Planning Commission, consistent with plans submitted, subject to two conditions. One condition pertains to the material with which the structure will be sided. The other pertains to the location of the shed. 

 

The applicant was represented at the hearing by her son, Ryan Rodriguez.  Mr. Rodriguez mentioned to Planning Commissioners the plan is to use T-111 siding material. Setback requirements will be observed.

 

DELIBERATION/DECISION

 

Planning Commissioners engaged in a work session regarding the updating of the Shelburne Zoning Bylaws. The session was facilitated by consultant Michael J. Munson, PhD.

 

Discussion focused on two items, the draft proposed table of allowed uses and the draft proposed table of dimensional requirements.  Discussion will continue at the next work session, which is slated for December 1, 2005.

 

None.

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:45 p.m.

 

Minutes respectfully submitted by Dean Pierce.