Planning Commission Minutes 8-27-2020

Publish date: August 28, 2020

Planning Commission 8-27-2020

TOWN OF RUTLAND PLANNING COMMISSION

MEETING MINUTES

 DATE: August 27th, 2020

Publicly accessible conference line

OPEN MEETING 6:30 P.M.

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

Approval of the Agenda:

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

Select Board Clerk Mary Ashcroft commented on a recent Boy Scout event, where they launched kayaks from the area of the falls in Center Rutland.

New Business:

There was no new business

Old Business: Presentations of the history of the Center Rutland Falls area for the proposed pocket park

  1. Local historian, Elaine Purdy provided some comments via email which Ms. Noyes-Pulling read aloud
  2. Jim Rowe gave some information on the historical use of the roads that intersected in what is now Center Rutland. Discussed the Crown Point Road. Provided information on the watering trough which is now located on the South side of Business Route 4 across from the East Proctor Road.
  3. Barry Griffith, from the Crown Point Road Association, shared some photos with Ms. Noyes-Pulling, of historical markers in the area. He provided additional information on markers and history of the roads in the area.
  4. Barbara Giffin, from the Rutland Historical Society, gave her support for the idea of moving the water trough to the area of the proposed pocket park. She also discussed a park that was in that area many years ago. She is in support of the new project and could help provide some information for signs in the area
  5. Ms. Ashcroft said there was a lot of support for relocating the watering trough. Discussed the possibility of moving it back to its original location, which would be in the middle of the intersection. The original route of the Crown Point Road was discussed. She asked for examples of historical plaques that could be used for our park. Mr. Griffith gave some examples of ones near the Henry Bridge in Bennington.
  6. Mr. Cohen asked if a map of locations discussed tonight could be made that shows their original location compared to where things are today.
  7. Discussed the feasibility of actual, or virtual walking tours, that could be incorporated into the area.
  8. Mr. Peterson sent out a link to historical markers for the Crown Point Road.
  9. Ms. Giffin said some old maps of the area exist at the Rutland Historical Society.
  10. Ms. Ashcroft discussed the relicensing requirement the property owner, Green Mountain Power, has and is going through right now which includes some public access requirements.
  11. Ms. Giffin said Comcast has a community service effort which could be tapped for this project as well.
  12. Mr. Hall discussed some of the homes in the area which were the first to get electricity due to the power generating plant at the waterfalls.
  13. Discussed some of the original families to the area, including the Mead and Ripley family.
  14. Mr. Peterson reviewed the documentation that has been put together so far with ideas and input from the Planning Commission members.
  15. Discussed the possibility of using the Municipal Planning Grant for parts of this project. The grant could be used to help plan the design and scope of the project. There is a required 10% local match. Ms. Ashcroft asked the commission to research possible sources for the match to come from, outside of town funds.
  16. Ms. Poli suggested a survey be completed to allow for specific design and layout of the area.
  17. Discussed the need for an MOU and possibly easements with and from GMP for this project.
  18. The deadline for the grant is October 1st so it will need to be worked on soon.
  19. Ms. Noyes-Pulling said the best thing is to get someone from the Regional Planning Commission to be involved who deals with these applications. Ms. Ashcroft said we need to involve GMP as they own most of the property being discussed.
  20. The grants are awarded in December and are valid until June 30th, 2022.

 

Announcements

  • There will be a pre-construction meeting at the site of the Harbor Freight store on September 16th at 10AM.
  • A new solar project is being proposed on Route 7 North around Careys Auto. They are 2 utility sized projects. Ms. Noyes-Pulling will see if the Select Board wants to meet with the developer as well. The Planning Commission does want to meet with them.

Approval of minutes August 6th, 2020:

  • Peterson moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Hunter seconded the motion. After discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

Adjournment:

  • Peterson moved to adjourn. Mr. McKane seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:52 PM.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet

 

______________________________________

Barbara Noyes-Pulling

Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair

 

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