Development Review Board Meeting

Present: Tim Waker, Bob Bushee, Alan Benoit, John Watanabe, Gerry Deyo, John Griffin, Howard Kalinsky; Kaitlyn Filippi, Sydney Schiffman; also Planning Director/Zoning Administrator Lee Krohn, and others per sign in sheet.

 Motion Griffin to approve the minutes of 10/14/09; seconded by Kalinsky and OK by all.

Design Review applications:

Lattuga, 122 Highland Ave: late breaking application to replace failing slate shingles on the enclosed front porch with asphalt shingles to match those approved several years ago on the expanded side porch; both porches were the subject of prior design reviews. Here, as with other applicants, timely action is helpful as work in the house is ongoing, and the season is late. Motion Griffin to approve as presented; seconded by Bushee and OK 6-1, Benoit opposed.

Aubuchon, 1131 Depot Street: Ellis Speath offered an update on roadway reconfiguration issues. The DRB remains quite concerned regarding the unfinished work at the entrance to the Taconic Business Park access road, which lies on Aubuchon’s property. It was understood that minor changes had been made to the original, approved roadway configuration, but that the fundamental design would still be constructed. Speath believed that those evolutionary changes, which led to keeping things essentially "as is", had been communicated and understood.

All of that said, the underlying, fundamental concern was then, and remains today, the safety issue of propane trucks backing up on the main road (Depot Street). Redesigning the roadway entrance, which lies on Aubuchon’s property, was intended to solve that, so that these trucks could enter and exit the site while driving forward; the DRB to a person understood that the redesign would solve that.

Speath and neighbors Dorr and Ellis stated that the temporary 'test' roadway configuration (as proposed and approved) with gravel, paint, and cones, was not found satisfactory for truck deliveries. Apparently, other users of this access road prefer the road entrance remain "as is".

It was also suggested that Aubuchon install a stop sign where its driveway meets the access road, to help prevent conflicts that have arisen with Aubuchon patrons and other motorists.

Speath explained that further consideration is being given to this access road with regard to other neighboring properties. The hope is that this will lead to a more comprehensive solution to everyone's needs for safe and reasonable access. Speath committed to returning to the DRB on December 2 with a new, preliminary concept plan.

The DRB has given Aubuchon considerable latitude in this overall effort, and is willing to continue doing so as long as there is demonstrated, continued progress toward solutions. However, the bottom line is that it remains Aubuchon's responsibility to either construct the road as proposed and approved, or to apply for an amendment to the permit with an alternate plan that maintains reasonable access and circulation while addressing the fundamental safety concern as described above. At least two neighboring landowners agreed to work collaboratively toward a comprehensive solution.

Upcoming schedule, and other informational items were discussed.

Krohn presented the award received by the Town for the 2009 Planning Project of the Year from the Vermont Planners Association for our student board member project, giving youth a voice in community decision making.

With no other business, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by Lee Krohn.