Planning Commission Minutes 12-10-2020

12-10-2020

TOWN OF RUTLAND PLANNING COMMISSION

MEETING MINUTES

DATE: December 10^th, 2020

Publicly accessible conference line

OPEN MEETING 6:30 P.M.

Commission Members Present: Chairperson Barbara Noyes-Pulling, Dana Peterson, Howard Burgess, Sherman Hunter, Andy McKane, Mary Beth Poli, and Norman Cohen

Members of the public present: Tom Bradder

Approval of the Agenda:

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

Public Comment: Tom Bradder

1. Mr. Bradder discussed a party interested in purchasing a 7.3 acre owned by Orin Thomas & Sons off Route 7 / Sugarwood Hill. They want to initially construct a garage for the purpose of storing limousines and other vehicles. A house is planned but will not be built right away. Mr. Bradder represents the current landowners.
2. Mr. Cohen asked how big of a storage building they are planning. It is thought to be 60 by 80. Mr. Bradder said this is why he is bringing it to the Planning Commission. They plan to blend the building into the area.
3. The property was in current use but has been taken out.
4. This is the same parcel that was proposed earlier this year for storage units.
5. Discussed the driveway access. It has frontage on Route 7 and Sugarwood Hill. It would be preferred to enter off of Sugarwood Hill.
6. A septic field will not be installed with the garage but would need to be when a house is built. The sale is contingent on the area supporting a septic field.
7. Ms. Noyes-Pulling encouraged Mr. Bradder to reach out to Mr. Sweet for future scheduling needs to talk to the Commission again.
8. Mr. Bradder asked what he can tell the potential buyers. He asked if the Commission is approving the project or if he needs further approval. Mr. Hathaway will need to issue a driveway access permit and a informational building permit will need to be filed with Mr. Sweet.

New Business: Update on the Pocket park Municipal Planning Grant application

1. The application was approved, and the town was awarded a $15,000 grant. There is a $1500 town contribution. It is good for 18 months and we can begin at any time.
2. It can be used to review maps and other documents with the various parties who will be involved in the planning. A historical consultant will be involved to help with displaying and using the historic benefits of the area.
3. A press release may be done on it as well.
4. The Select Board oversees the use of the grant, but some work related to it will likely come to this group.

New Business: Next meeting date

1. The next meeting on the schedule is December 31^st. This will be postponed.
2. The next date is January 7^th. The meeting will take place on January 7^th and the 3-week schedule will go off of that date.

Old Business: FY 22 Budget

1. The initial budget proposal was approved by the Select Board at their recent meeting. It will be presented at the pre-town meeting for discussion although no date has been set yet.

Old Business: Select Board vacancy

1. The Select Board has selected someone to fill the vacant seat. His name is Aaron Jones and he begins right away.

Old Business: Thomas Dairy Parcel

1. The Select Board asked for some additional information on the location of the archeological sites. It has been requested from Scott Dillon but it has not been received yet.
2. Discussed some thoughts the Select Board had on what could be done with this area, but nothing has been decided.

Approval of minutes 11/19/2020:

1. Mr. Peterson moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Poli seconded the motion. After some changes were made Mr. Peterson moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Ms. Poli seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Adjournment:

Mr. Peterson moved to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet

 

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Barbara Noyes-Pulling

Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair