Planning Commission Meeting

Present: Chair John Ringwood, Craig Hunter, Chris Glabach, Bill Drunsic, Steve Grossfeld, Megan LaValley; Clare Kelley, Tristan Poplar; also Planning Director Lee Krohn, and others per sign-in sheet

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M.

Motion Drunsic, seconded by Glabach, to approve the minutes of 11/16/09; OK unanimously.

Public Hearing, proposed amendments to the Sign and Zoning Ordinances, all as discussed at length in multiple, prior meetings:

Signs for mixed uses in the GR-2 district – this would offer an option for larger signs for business parks or multi-tenant developments, while otherwise keeping the integrity of the present rules intact, under specified circumstances and conditions. With no comments, questions, or concerns, motion Drunsic to approve this proposal and pass it along to the Selectboard for consideration; seconded by Glabach and approved unanimously.

Flood Hazard bylaws: all as required by FEMA; the state has given this final draft its blessing as compliant, with the addition of several definitions and clarifications. We must also remember our intent to move all flood hazard related definitions from the general definitions’ section to the flood hazard section; and also to clarify that where different definitions of the same term may exist (most importantly, for “development” or “land development”, the more comprehensive or restrictive version applies only within the regulatory flood hazard zones; otherwise, the existing definition is intended to remain in effect throughout the rest of Town. The reason is that the required flood hazard version is far more all-encompassing or restrictive than is generally intended to applied. Motion Drunsic to approve as proposed and described herein, and pass it along to the Selectboard for consideration; seconded by Hunter and approved unanimously.

Commercial - 1 zoning boundary: the first set of properties were considered between Hillvale/Mountain View Terrace and the Village line, no longer including the Johnson property, and here, not including the M & M Holdings property. This set of properties had been considered before, are all split by the C-1 boundary, and created no conflict or controversy. All are consistent with past practice of seeking to align zoning boundaries with property boundaries to create land use clarity for landowners and the community. With no questions or concerns, motion Drunsic to approve as proposed and described herein, and pass it along to the Selectboard for consideration; seconded by Hunter and approved unanimously.

 Commercial - 1 zoning boundary, M & M Holdings property: this was considered separately, at the Selectboard’s suggestion, given the controversy witnessed previously. Many of the same issues as before were revisited; stated briefly: the Hillvale neighbors believe the PC is doing this purely for benefit of Price Chopper, at the expense of residential neighbors; the PC believes it’s important to do this, with or without Price Chopper, in order to give the Town the tools and the flexibility to be able to structure any future redevelopment of this property in ways that best help to achieve community goals. After much further discussion, the real issue was finally clarified: the neighbors believe that Price Chopper can more likely be defeated on appeal if it must be proposed within the existing commercial boundary. The Planning Commission did not share that belief, nor believe that this was a prudent gamble to take.

Motion Drunsic to close the overall public hearing, and to approve this last proposal (with all the others) as proposed and described herein, and pass them all along to the Selectboard for consideration. Seconded by Hunter and approved unanimously.

Upcoming meeting schedule, and other informational items were discussed.

The meeting was then adjourned at 9:20 P.M.