Planning Commission Minutes 7-15-2021

Publish date: July 21, 2021

Planning Commission Minutes 7-15-2021

TOWN OF RUTLAND PLANNING COMMISSION

MEETING MINUTES

 

DATE: July 15th, 2021

Rutland 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, Mary Beth Poli, Jim Hall, and Norman Cohen

Approval of the Agenda:

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

New Business: Earlier Discussioin of Proposed Zoning Regulations

  1. Andy McKane moved to go to the Selectboard to ask permission to go back to the proposed zoning documents from several years ago for review and possibly update the previous information and see if this is something the town would like to enact. Ms. Poli seconded the motion.
    1. The Commission discussed the history of the last time this issue was brought before the Selectboard.
    2. Discussed the process of adopting the ordinance if it was approved.
    3. Discussed the reasons this is being brought up currently.
    4. There are issues other towns in the region are experiencing which the Town would have no mechanism to address.
  2. The motion passed 6 – 2.

Old Business: Update on the McKinley Avenue Boundary Line Adjustment Request

  1. We are still waiting to hear back from our Town Counsel on advice as to whether this should be a sub-division or can stay as a boundary line adjustment.

Old Business: Revision to the Stormwater Ordinance Map

  1. Updates to the map has been done based on suggestions from the group.
  2. They have also created a users guide.
  3. Discussed whether the commission is in favor of making this available to the public.
  4. Mr.  Peterson moved to post the stormwater ordinance tool and map for the use by Town residents. Ms. Poli seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Old Business: Vote on Requesting a Town Conservation Commission

  1. Other towns around the county and state have been contacted to ask them about what their Conservation Commission do for their towns.
    1. Several write grants for projects.
    2. Created kiosks with trail maps.
    3. Purchase and conserve new land.
    4. Build and maintain trail systems.
    5. Green up days and more
  2. Discussed creating a mission statement, making it simple and with a few goals included.
    1. A draft was read for the group.
    2. Some edits were suggested and discussed
    3. The commission wanted to make sure the Selectboard knew this was to be a separate entity.
  3. Discussed the process if the Selectboard approved the proposal.
    1. Mr.  Cohen asked that if they approve it, does it come back to this group for the regulations to be drawn up and then given to the board for approval.
    2. This is a possibility, but the board could form their own regulations.
    3. If approved by the board the matter is required to go to a town wide vote and could go on the next ballot.
  4. Mr.  Peterson moved to recommend to the Selectboard establishing a Conservation Commission. Mr. Cohen second the motion. The motion passed 7-1.
  5. Discussed adding it to the Town Plan. The next time it is up for review is 2025, but it could be done at any time.

Old Business: Addition to Article 4 of the draft airstrip/helipad ordinance

  1. Individuals who may have some expertise in the areas the group needs help with are being sought for input.

Announcements

  1. The second ARPA fund listening meeting with the Selectboard is this coming Tuesday at 5PM.
  2. The VELCO North Rutland substation project section 248 application has been received.
  3. The proposed housing project off Middle Road has fallen through and will not be built.
  4. An engineering firm has been selected for a complete survey of the planned Pocket Park area. They are expected to start soon.

Approval of minutes June 24th, 2021:

  1. Mr. Peterson moved to approve the minutes. Mr. McKane seconded the motion. After some clerical changes were made, Mr. Peterson moved to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. McKane seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Peterson abstained from the vote.

Adjournment:

Mr. Hunter moved to adjourn. Mr. Hall seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet

 

______________________________________

Barbara Pulling

Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair

 

Rutland Town News

Posted in