Planning Commission Minutes 1-5-2023

Planning Commission Minutes 1-5-2023

TOWN OF RUTLAND PLANNING COMMISSION

MEETING MINUTES

 

DATE: January 5^th, 2023

LOCATION: Town Hall and a publicly accessible conference line

OPEN MEETING 6:30 P.M.

Commission Members Present: Chair Barbara Pulling, Dana Peterson, Jerry Stearns, Howard Burgess, Andy McKane, Mary Beth Poli, and Norman Cohen. All members in attendance are a voting member for this meeting.

Members of the Public Present:  None

Approval of the Agenda:

Mr. Peterson moved to approve the agenda. Mr. McKane seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

New Business: Review of Howard Smith subdivision, Route 4 East

1. Mark Courcelle is present representing the applicant, Howard Smith. Mr. Courcelle completed the survey for the property.
2. The draft survey map provided was reviewed.
3. The application requests creating two lots. Parcel A will be 2.67 acres and Parcel B will be 5.56 acres. Parcel A will have the existing structures on it. Parcel B is undeveloped.
4. There are existing water and wastewater permits on file with the state.
5. After a review and discussion on the application and survey, it was determined this request will be a minor sub-division. Mr. Peterson moved to accept the application of Howard Smith for a sub-division on Route 4 East and to warn a hearing for January 26^th. Mr. Burgess seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

New Business: VLCT advice on current Streets and Sidewalks Ordinance

1. VLCT was asked to review our Streets and Sidewalks ordinance.
2. This ordinance is used as a reference in several locations throughout the subdivision ordinance.
3. VLCT suggested creating some Town policies and not have the ordinance as it exists now.
4. After discussion, Mr. Peterson moved to authorize the Chair to work on clarifying the definition of a policy and an ordinance. Mr. Burgess seconded the motion. Mr. Peterson also moved to authorize the Chair to ask permission from the Selectboard to work on a Streets and Sidewalks Policy and provide background as to why it is changing from an ordinance to a policy. Mr. Stearns seconded the additional motion. After discussion, Mr. Peterson withdrew his first motion. Mr. Burgess withdrew his second for the first motion. The second motion passed unanimously.

Old Business: Subdivision Ordinance committee work update

1. A group met recently to review additional changes and updates.
2. Most of the work focused on the planning standards section.
3. New language and references were added, and some sections are going to be recommended for removal.
4. The next work session is planned for January 23^rd at 3:30PM.

Old Business: Rules of Procedure update

1. Additional updates have been incorporated to the draft document. Copies were distributed to the group.
2. The entire document was reviewed and changes discussed.
3. Approval of the updated rules will be added to the agenda for the next meeting.

Old Business: Pocket Park Update

Work to create an agreement with Green Mountain Power, construction phases, and coordination with other interested parties is ongoing.

Announcements / News

Reminder of the tour of The Hub at 4PM downtown on January 9^th.

The energy survey is closed. The energy committee will be looking at the results.

Discussed a new state program to help municipal buildings improve energy efficiency.

Approval of Minutes December 8^th, 2022:

Mr. Peterson moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Stearns seconded the motion. After a brief discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

Adjournment:

Mr. Peterson moved to adjourn. Mr. McKane seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:08 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet

 

______________________________________

Barbara Pulling

Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair