Planning Commission Minutes 11-17-2022

Planning Commission Minutes 11-17-2022

TOWN OF RUTLAND PLANNING COMMISSION

MEETING MINUTES

 

DATE: November 17^th, 2022

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, 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. Stearns seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

New Business: Pocket Park – GMP meeting

1. A meeting was held recently with Selectboard Member Mary Ashcroft, Chair Barbara Pulling and several representatives from Green Mountain Power.
2. GMP is working through their relicensing on the hydro dam adjacent to the Pocket Park area.
3. GMP is fully committed to work with the Town to help the park be developed.
4. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Town and GMP, and additional construction details are being worked out.

Old Business: Permit Tracking Ordinance & Form – Selectboard suggestions

1. The Board discussed it at their last meeting and was told the proposed questionnaire will be removed from the suggested draft.
2. No action was taken at the last meeting, but it is expected they will discuss it at their next meeting.

Old Business: Update on energy survey

1. The survey is still available. We have received 49 responses so far.
2. It may be extended into December.

Old Business: Discussion on river corridor/flood hazard regulations presentation with Kyle Medash

1. Meetings with landowners will be planned, in coordination with Kyle. He is very busy right now so it will likely be planned after the 1^st of the year.
2. This meeting could also help with work on our flood hazard regulations.
3. Information on new regulations will be shared with Commission members so the group is prepared for the meeting.

Old Business: Discussion of Rules of Procedure revisions

1. An updated draft with proposed changes was made available to all members prior to the meeting. The included proposed changes were discussed.
2. There was extensive discussion on defining, and meaning of, quorum.
3. Discussed the current and possible changes to the process of approving meeting minutes. There was extensive discussion on the topic. No decision was reached.
4. Changes to participation, meeting notices and other procedural changes were discussed. The changes will be included in an updated draft to be reviewed at the next meeting.

Old Business: Subdivision ordinance revisions

After a brief discussion, a small sub-committee will be formed to discuss some of the details more efficiently and this group can bring recommendations back to the full Commission.

Announcements

Mary Beth Poli reported on the progress for the Velemont bike trail project. There are some issues with the planned route in Mendon, so the group is looking at the project for different options.

Howard Burgess is stepping back from being a Full Time Lister for the Town to a Part Time Lister. He does not anticipate any changes with his participation on the Commission.

The next Town Wide Celebration will be August 26, 2023.

Approval of Minutes October 6^th, 2022:

Mr. Peterson moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Stearns seconded the motion. The motion passed with Mr. Burgess, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Peterson, and Mr. Stearns voting for the motion. Ms. Pulling and Ms. Poli abstained from the vote.

Approval of Minutes October 27^th, 2022:

Mr. Peterson moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Poli seconded the motion. The motion passed with Mr. Burgess, Mr. Peterson, Mr. Cohen, Ms. Pulling and Ms. Poli voting for the motion. Mr. Stearns abstained from the vote.

Adjournment:

Mr. Peterson moved to adjourn. Mr. Stearns seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 8:09 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet

 

______________________________________

Barbara Pulling

Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair