Planning Commission Minutes 9-16-2021

Publish date: September 17, 2021

Planning Commission Minutes 9-16-2021

TOWN OF RUTLAND PLANNING COMMISSION

MEETING MINUTES

 

DATE: September 16th, 2021

Location:  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, Jerry Stearns, and Jim Hall

Members of the Public Present: Gordon Dritschillo and Christa Thomas

The meeting open with the pledge of allegiance.

Approval of the Agenda:

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

New Business: Potential new development at Thomas Dairy

  1. Christa Thomas was present representing the Thomas Dairy family.
  2. Thomas is 1 of 5 owners and stated they are in a liquidation phase.
  3. Discussed how many subdivisions can be done before a land use permit from Act 250 is required. According to information from Act 250, 10 are allowed in a 5-year period. Ms. Thomas was advised to contact the Rutland office for specifics on what qualifies.
    1. Some boundary line adjustments have been done in the past, but because no formals BLA process was established, they were all done as a subdivision.
    2. There are approximately 170 acres owned by the family.

New Business: Draft model rules of procedure

  1. VLCT has a model policy which was used as a template for the document.
  2. Discussed Planning Commission specific changes to the document.
    1. Elections of officers will be done at the first meeting of the new calendar year.
    2. Motions will require a second.
    3. The chair may make motions and vote on all questions.
    4. A member may make a motion without being recognized by the chair.
    5. Motions to close or limit debate will be entertained.
    6. The rules may be amended by a majority.
    7. Changes to the agenda can be done with a majority vote.
    8. Discussion on scheduled meetings. Mr. Peterson will provide some alternate language to review at a future meeting.
    9. After discussion, members of the public will be afforded 2 minutes to speak on an agenda item at the beginning of the discussion. Additional time can be given based on a majority vote.
  3. A draft with these changes will be provided to the members for review at a future meeting.

Mr. Hunter moved to recess the Planning Commission meeting and convene as the Stormwater Commission.  Mr. McKane seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

New Business: Discuss a possible stormwater discharge issue

  1. A complaint was received about a discharge issue.
  2. Representatives from the state were contacted for assistance investigating it.
  3. According to the state, there was no permit needed nor violations noted. Some suggestions for mitigation were provided but due to the size, regulatory authority does not allow for it to be required.
  4. The complaint stemmed from a possible stream impairment.
  5. Discussed having the administrative officer review the site as well.
  6. Based on information from the state, no further investigation or action will be taken at this time.

Mr. Peterson moved to adjourn the Stormwater Commission and to reconvene the Planning Commission meeting. Mr. McKane seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Old Business: VLCT assistance on ordinances

  1. When asked about coming and talking to the Commission about new ordinances it was suggested a list of questions be complied and sent to VLCT for review.
  2. They suggested using their model policies.
  3. Legal review can be done at an hourly rate.
  4. Discussed some of the possible new ordinance topics.
    1. The amount of fill that can be brought into a property without a permit.
    2. The use of firearms and shooting ranges.
    3. Hot air balloons, as part of the helipad ordinance.
    4. Building permits.
    5. Noise
  5. Ordinance topics are limited by statutory rules.
  6. A list will be compiled and sent to the contact at VLCT.
  7. The intention is to get questions answered prior to the next meeting.

Old Business: Update on McKinley Avenue boundary line adjustment request.

  1. There is no new information currently.

Announcements

One of the arrays for the Otter Creek solar projects is going online.

The Selectboard approved a personnel policy and has decided anyone who is paid by the town needs to sign. A copy was provided for every member. The signature page needs to be returned to Bill.

VLCT Town Fair is coming up. There are a variety of topics. It has a in person or virtual option and is October 4th thru the 9th.

The survey is in progress for the Pocket Park. There is a historical stake holder meeting taking place on September 17th. This meeting was by invitation only.

Ms. Poli updated the Commission on a mountain bike trail system being proposed which could go from Killington to Pine Hill Park and what part the Town could play. It is in its initial discussion phase.

Approval of minutes August 5th, 2021:

Ms. Poli moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Hunter seconded the motion.

Discussed the Selectboard feedback on zoning and conservation commission. Some changes to the language was made.

Ms. Poli moved to accept the minutes as amended. Mr. Hunter seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Adjournment:

Mr. Stearns moved to adjourn. Mr. Hunter seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:41 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet

______________________________________

Barbara Pulling

Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair

Rutland Town News

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