Planning Commission Minutes 5-8-2025

Planning Commission Minutes 5-8-2025

TOWN OF RUTLAND PLANNING COMMISSION

MEETING MINUTES

DATE: May 8^th, 2025

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, Andy McKane, and Norm Cohen. All members are voting members for this meeting.

Members of the Public Present:  None

Approval of the Agenda:

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

Old Business: Subdivision bylaw next steps

1. Discussed what direction updating the bylaws could take based upon the discussion with the town attorney at the last meeting.
2. Regulations from other towns have been looked at but are not appropriate to be able to use without making them specific to our town with current regulations.
3. Additional discussions with our Town attorney are likely necessary.
4. Discussed how other state legislation and town ordinances would relate to this.
5. The Town plan is due to be updated by 2028. This can be a factor in new regulations as well.
6. There was extensive discussion. The Commission agreed to move forward, there needs to be a common vision with the Selectboard, and a roadmap to include resources, regulations and guidance.
7. Some research based on experiences with other towns is needed.
8. Input from all of the Commission members would be helpful for a conversation with the Board.

Old Business: Pocket Park Phase 1

1. Reviewed the list of actions items which would have been taken were the grant awarded.
2. The main focus would be the southern end.
3. Clearing invasive and dead trees from the whole parcel, parking lot expansion, discussing the boat launch topic, and meeting with the Town Rec Director are next steps.
4. The boat launch comes with significant issues including the placement of a launch, launch safety, and where to take out downstream.
5. Fire District 1 plans to put in a pressure control device this year, in the VTrans right of way. It should not have an impact on the park.
6. After discussion, Mr. McKane moved to include these items 1, 2, 3, and 9 from the 1/2/2024 map provided by Chair Pulling. Mr. Peterson seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Old Business: River Corridor Ordinance update

1. The State expert has not been available for a discussion on this.
2. There are some national trends where disasters are not being recognized, and funding is not available.

Announcements

The lawyer working on the Act 250 permit for the mall met with the Selectboard recently. He is willing to come to talk with the Planning Commission as well.

Approval of Minutes April 17^th, 2025:

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

Adjournment:

Mr. McKane moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:06 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet

 

______________________________________       ____________

Barbara Pulling                                                           Date

Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair