Planning Commission Minutes 4-20-2023

Planning Commission Minutes 4-20-2023

TOWN OF RUTLAND PLANNING COMMISSION

MEETING MINUTES

 

DATE: April 20^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, Howard Burgess, Sherman Hunter, Andy McKane, and Jim Hall. All members are a voting member for this meeting.

Members of the Public Present:  None

Approval of the Agenda:

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

Old Business: Review Latest Draft of the Short-Term Rental Ordinance

1. The notice for our May 11^th public meeting has been put out in a variety of locations.
2. It has received a lot of attention so far.

Old Business: Create FAQs for Short-Term Rental Ordinance Information Meeting

1. There will likely be questions at the meeting. Creating a list of anticipated questions can help facilitate the meeting.
2. Reviewed a list of questions which have been asked in various forums and discussed possible answers.
   1. Questions range from the purpose, how it could relate to zoning, taxes, fairness to property owners, limiting housing availability and others.
3. Discussed whether the Planning Commission should come out in favor of the ordinance.
   1. Mr. McKane moved to state the Rutland Town Planning Commission has reviewed the draft ordinance regarding short-term rentals and the group stands behind it, and it is a good thing for the Town. Mr. Hunter seconded the motion.
   2. After discussion, Mr. McKane withdrew his motion.
   3. Mr. McKane moved to approve sending this document to the Select Board. Mr. Hunter seconded the motion. After discussion the motion was withdrawn for now.
4. Discussed ways to manage questions and public participation during the meeting. The existing rules of procedure regulate public participation. This will be reviewed at the meeting.
5. Discussed impacts on Fire Districts, private water systems and homeowner association-controlled properties. This ordinance would apply to all town properties.
6. There are 2 items which still need to be defined. The draft ordinance will be forwarded to the Town attorney, and he will be asked to help define them.
7. An FAQ document will be created based on the discussion tonight. A copy will be posted online with the other Short-Term Rental documents, and it will be available at the meeting.

Old Business: Review summary of the draft Sub-Division Ordinance.

1. A summary of changes was provided to members.
2. A group of documents related to the ordinance update will be sent to the Town Attorney for him to review, after the Short-Term Rental ordinance review is done.

Old Business: River corridor ordinance outreach update.

1. This project will be on hold until the other ordinances have made more progress.

Announcements

1. There is a municipal election on May 23^rd with a ballot item about the Public Safety Building, and several elected positions.
2. There is an open house at the McKinley Avenue Fire Station on April 29^th and another at the Center Rutland Fire Station on May 13^th.

Approval of Minutes March 30^th, 2023:

1. Mr. Peterson moved to approve the minutes. Mr. McKane seconded the motion. There was a clerical change made. Mr. Peterson moved to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. McKane seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hunter abstained from the vote.

Adjournment:

Mr. Hall moved to adjourn. Mr. Burgess seconded the motion. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 8:20PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet

 

______________________________________

Barbara Pulling

Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair