Planning Commission Minutes 8-3-2023

Planning Commission Minutes 8-3-2023

TOWN OF RUTLAND PLANNING COMMISSION

MEETING MINUTES

 

DATE: August 3^rd, 2023

LOCATION: Town Hall and a publicly accessible conference line

OPEN MEETING 6:30 P.M.

 

Commission Members Present: Chair Barbara Pulling, Howard Burgess, Andy McKane, Jerry Stearns, Norman Cohen and Jim Hall. All members are a voting member for this meeting.

Members of the Public Present:  None

Approval of the Agenda:

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

Old Business: Short-Term Rental Ordinance update

1. A joint meeting with the Select Board has been planned for August 17^th. This will allow the full Select Board and Planning Commission to discuss the ordinance together.
2. The August 17^th meeting will preempt the August 24^th
3. Some Board members have given feedback on the ordinance but no large-scale specific comments.
4. The Town Attorney has given feedback to us as well.
5. Discussed the topics that could be the sticking point for Board members.

Old Business: River Corridor Ordinance

1. Discussed whether or not accelerating adopting a river corridor ordinance made sense, based on an increase of flooding events occurring.
2. Kyle Medash could be invited back to talk to the group.
3. After discussion, the Chair will contact Mr. Medash again and ask about a future meeting.
4. There are some State initiatives around properties that regularly flood. Details are not final yet.

Old Business: Town Wide Celebration on August 19th

1. Several vendors are attending at the invitation on the Planning Commission. All of them are centered around energy.
2. Commission members are needed to help staff the booth.

Old Business: Route 7 North at Post Road Solar project

1. The developer is in favor of a site visit, but this will have to be done after the corn is cut.
2. They did provide a drone video showing the project area. This was shown at the meeting.
3. There are concerns about the presence of wetlands in the middle of the project area.
4. Setback requirements, screening and a PILOT calculation are items the Board discussed but did not decide on.

Announcements

The former Friendly’s property has received an Act 250 permit amendment to start demolition. The plan is to build a new coffee shop, likely a Starbucks. There may be an issue with the address listed on the Act 250 permit. This will be checked.

Approval of Minutes July 13^th, 2023:

Mr. Stearns moved to approve the minutes. Mr. McKane seconded the motion. There were not enough members in attendance from the meeting for these minutes so they could not be approved. This will be added to the August 17^th meeting agenda.

Adjournment:

Mr. Stearns moved to adjourn. Mr. McKane seconded the motion.

The meeting adjourned at 7:25.

Respectfully submitted, Bill Sweet

 

 

______________________________________       ____________

Barbara Pulling                                                           Date

Rutland Town Planning Commission Chair