PLANNING COMMISSION
TOWN OF STOWE
March 20, 2006
Minutes

The Stowe Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Monday, March 20, 2006, in the Banquet Room of the Akeley Memorial Building, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Members present:  Lynn Altadonna, Chair  Absent:  Bob Evans
           Chuck Baraw
         Marie Duquette      
           Scott Noble
           Paul Percy
           Barbara Pfitzenmayer
  
Others present:  Tom Jackman, Director of Planning; Amanda Riesmeyer, Administrative Secretary; Lisa McCormack, Stowe Reporter

Minutes
The minutes of the March 6, 2006, meeting were approved with a minor revision on a motion by Mr. Noble, seconded by Ms. Pfitzenmayer. 

Planning Director’s Report
* Dave Pelletier, LCPC, will give an update on the Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvement Plan at the next PC meeting.
* Mr. Jackman met with VTrans and Mr. Johnson to go over the high pedestrian accidents on Main Street (44th in the state) to see what improvements could be made.  The crosswalks need to be brought up to standard, the parking places are too close to the crossings and new signs are needed. VTrans will pay for ten new crosswalk signs as well as replace the missing stop sign on Sunset Street.  Mr. Noble suggested that in-road pedestrian markers be placed on the crosswalks. Mr. Jackson said he would look into this.
* Mr. Jackman started today as Acting Zoning Administrator. Out of a pool of twenty-five applicants, six have been selected to be interviewed.
.

Darrow H. Mansfield’s Letter to the PC
Mr. Jackman distributed Mr. Mansfield’s letter regarding the ongoing review of the Zoning Regulations. Mr. Mansfield’s observations and concerns were discussed by PC members and addressed as follows:

1.  Concerning increase in lodging density being linked to those properties serviced by municipal water and sewer, Mr. Jackman noted that in the LVC and MC section there is line that states if municipal sewer is provided, a maximum of ten units per acre is allowed.  This relates well, Mr. Jackman believed, to the direction the PC is already heading in providing more consistency and fairness across all zoning districts.
2. PC members engaged in a lengthy discussion on building height and whether or not to increase it to 35’ instead of 25’and what impact that would have on the character of Stowe Village. It was the consensus of PC members that Mr. Jackman take some photos of buildings in town along with some measurements to bring back to the next meeting for further discussion at that time.

3. The PC will come back to the discussion of PUD regulations at another time as it’s a separate issue and technically, Mr. Jackman said, they are not zoning districts, but rather commercial development.

4. Regarding allowing “employee housing” within larger commercial projects, the concern from Mr. Baraw was to not make the requirements too restrictive; offer incentive but do not demand it and do not reduce site density.  Mr. Noble summarized the discussion by saying this would be viewed as a liberalizing of the zoning regulations in order to enable local businesses to be more viable.  Mr. Baraw responded that yes, it would help towards finding employees and in taking pressure off housing needs.

PC members responded positively to Mr. Darrow’s suggestion and asked Mr. Jackman to draft language around allowing for employee housing without requiring it.

Revision of Density Standards
PC members agreed to leave Business Unit standards for the VC-10 and VC-20 zoning districts as is and not set any new standards for the other zoning districts.

Sign Regulations
Mr. Jackman handed out to PC members possible revisions to Section 20—Signs.  For the next meeting PC members are to review these revisions and provide feedback for the next meeting.  It was also suggested that members look at signs around town and Mr. Jackman agreed to do a few measurements to bring with him at the next meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Amanda Riesmeyer
Administrative Secretary