PLANNING COMMISSION TOWN OF STOWE August 21, 2006 Minutes The Stowe Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Monday, August 21, 2006, in the Banquet Room of the Akeley Memorial Building, starting at 5:30 p.m. Members present: Lynn Altadonna, Chair Absent: Chuck Baraw Marie Duquette Scott Noble Bob Evans Paul Percy Barbara Pfitzenmayer Others present: Tom Jackman, Director of Planning; Amanda Riesmeyer, Administrative Secretary Minutes The minutes of the July 17, 2006, regular meeting were approved on a motion by Ms. Pfitzenmayer, seconded by Mr. Evans. Planning Director’s Report: - Municipal Planning Grant – Mr. Jackman reported that the next Municipal Planning Grant is due September 30. The purpose of the grant is to hire a consultant to do a specific project for the Town of Stowe where in-house expertise is lacking. An extra twenty points is gained if the grant is related to a center or downtown area. The last grant funded was for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Plan. Mr. Jackman proposed that a grant be written for a Village Center Improvement Plan focusing on a marketing plan and possibly a streetscape plan to ensure that Stowe Village remains the cultural and civic center of town. PC members discussed the importance of having a vibrant commercial center of town and agreed that Mr. Jackman should proceed with writing the grant to present to them in the next few weeks.
- Forest Legacy Grant – Mr. Jackman reported that, in partnership with the Town of Middlesex, an application was submitted to apply for funding to conserve two large parcels of land located in the Worcester Range.
- Transportation Enhancements Grant – Mr. Jackman handed out to PC members a summary of this grant (for the design and engineering of sidewalks along Mountain Road) which was submitted on Friday, August 18, to VTrans.
- Stowe Historic Planning Commission – Mr. Jackman reported to PC members that the SHPC will be reviewing the historic overlay district regulations and suggesting some revisions to the PC. In particular, Mr. Jackman mentioned that there are things going to DRB that really should not be going to the DRB.
- Rotary Barn – Demolition for the Rotary Barn has been granted a six month demolition delay which will allow time for members to come up with possible uses for it.
- BentleyBuilding– Possible uses for this building are being looked into as well as a traffic study.
Section 16: Ridgeline & Hillside Overlay District 16.4 General Submission Requirements and Procedures – Mr. Jackman handed out to PC members a revision of this section. The following changes were agreed upon by members: - Mr. Jackman will rewrite parts of 16.4 (1).
- (2) A. “Decks with a footprint no greater than 200 square feet” change to “Decks with a footprint no greater than 600 square feet.”
Next PC Meeting: August 28. The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Amanda Riesmeyer Administrative Secretary
PLANNING COMMISSION TOWN OF STOWE August 28, 2006 Minutes The Stowe Planning Commission held a special meeting on Monday, August 28, 2006, in the Banquet Room of the Akeley Memorial Building, starting at 5:30 p.m. Members present: Lynn Altadonna, Chair Chuck Baraw Marie Duquette Bob Evans Paul Percy Barbara Pfitzenmayer Scott Noble Others present: Tom Jackman, Director of Planning; Amanda Riesmeyer, Administrative Secretary, Valerie Rochon Minutes The minutes of the August 21, 2006, regular meeting were approved on a motion by Mr. Evans, seconded by Ms. Pfitzenmayer. Municipal Planning Grant: Mr. Jackman distributed to PC members a summary of the Municipal Planning Grant. The purpose of the grant is to hire a qualified economic development consultant to develop recommendations to improve the economic and cultural vitality of Stowe Village. Mr. Jackman spoke with Valerie Rochon about the process through which Stowe Village can get the most out of the grant money (up to $15,000) by hiring a consultant who is more of an economic development specialist. Stowe Village has potential that it is not living up to in terms of attracting people and businesses. He pointed out the store front next door that has been vacant for almost a year and the need to explore what attracts businesses to the village and what keeps them away. PC members spoke of other towns and cities they knew of who had been quite successful in revitalizing their downtown centers with the help of an economic development consultant. Mr. Noble suggested that instead of forming a steering committee to focus on village issues, something stronger like a management organization is needed to develop a master plan along with implementation steps. After further discussion and input, PC members agreed that Mr. Jackman should move forward with the grant proposal. Revisions to the Stowe Zoning Regulations: Table 6.1. Permitted and Conditional Uses Mr. Jackman handed out to PC members a table of Permitted and Conditional uses for PC members to review. The following changes were agreed upon: - Delete Retail Delivery of Goods and Services
- Delete Retail Display, Indoor
- Retail Display, Outdoor: allow in zones HT, MRV/MRC, VC, LVC/MC and IND PUD
- Add Retail (Sales) up to 10,000 sq. ft and Retail (Sales) $10,000 sq. ft or greater
- Retail Sales, Accessory allow in all zones except RR2, 3, 5 and VR.
- Delete Retail Store, Small
- Delete Store, Tourist Oriented & Neighborhood Less than 3,500 sq. ft.
- Delete Convenience Store
- School, Private or Public: allow in all zones
- Service Establishment: allow in zones HT, MRV/MRC, VC and LVC/MC
- Delete Silva culture (Forestry)
- Ski Area, Commercial: allow in all zones
- Delete Solid Waste Facility
- Storage and Warehousing, Outdoor: allow in zones LVC/MC, WBCSD and IND PUD
- Telephone Exchange: allow in all zones
- Delete Tennis Courts (covered under Recreational Facility, Outdoor)
- Delete Theater, Indoor (covered under Recreational Facility, Indoor)
- Delete Transmission Lines
- VeterinaryHospital: allow in all zones except VR
Next PC Meetings: September 11 and 18. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Amanda Riesmeyer Administrative Secretary
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