PLANNING COMMISSION TOWN OF STOWE December 12, 2006 Minutes The Stowe Planning Commission held a special meeting on Tuesday, December, 12, 2006, in the Banquet Room of the Akeley Memorial Building, starting at 5:30 p.m. Members present: Lynn Altadonna, Chair Absent: Scott Noble Chuck Baraw Marie Duquette Bob Evans Paul Percy Barbara Pfitzenmayer Others present: Tom Jackman, Director of Planning; Amanda Riesmeyer, Administrative Secretary; Jennifer Hezel, Zoning Assistant; Members of the Cemetery Commission: Donna Adams and Joy Fagan Minutes The minutes of the November 6, 2006, regular meeting were approved on a motion by Mr. Evans, seconded by Ms. Pfitzenmayer, seconded by Mr. Evans. Planning Director’s Report Proposal for Re-Allocation of Federal Earmark Funds from MillerBrookBridge to LuceHillRoadBridge: Mr. Jackman reviewed with commission members the request for the re-allocation of the Federal Earmark funds from the Miller Brook Bridge to the Luce Hill Road Bridge. A preliminary assessment of the condition of the Luce Hill Road Bridge indicated it to be a high hazard structure with a high volume of daily traffic and in danger of failure during a large flood. The Selectboard gave its approval for proceeding with the re-allocation of funds. StoweCemetery Commission: Stowe Cemetery Commission members Donna Adams and Joy Fagan presented to the Planning Commission a draft of the recommended policy with respect to Private Residential Cemeteries (PRCs). Donna Adams began by stating that PRCs are allowed in the Town of Stowe in accordance with state statute. The Cemetery Commission has had an ongoing concern with applications for PRCs and the need to develop regulations to ensure some conformity so that in the event the town takes over a private cemetery, it would not be too great a burden on the town. Ms. Adams went on to explain that if the cemetery was abandoned or neglected, it becomes the responsibility of the town to maintain. PC members reviewed and discussed the policy as presented and made the following suggestions: - Mr. Jackman suggested the “character of the neighborhood” did not need to be included as it will be evaluated under the conditional use criteria anyway.
- It was suggested that the permit be placed in the town records.
- Change “fee paid to the Development Review Board” to “fee paid to the Town of Stowe.”
- It needs to be emphasized in the policy that the applicant needs to go to the Cemetery Commission first and then the recommendation goes to the DRB.
- Need to make it very clear that once the property is sold, the seller has the expense of disinterment and relocation re-interment of human remains.
- Regarding the above fees, Mr. Altadonna suggested that fees be tied to the property and not to the applicant as costs could go up over time. Ms. Duquette went on to suggest that some of the fees could be paid with the application with additional fees paid later on.
It was determined that Mr. Jackman will work with Ms. Adams and members of the Cemetery Commission to rework the policy drafting language to include suggestions from PC members. Commission members approved a motion to include the Cemetery Commission’s policy on private residential cemeteries in the changes to the Zoning Regulations on a motion by Ms. Duquette, seconded by Ms. Pfitzenmayer. Mr. Percy was absent for the vote. Press Release: Mr. Jackman passed out copies to PC members of a press releasefor the 2007 Municipal Planning Grantaward to the Town of Stowe. He said that an RFP will go out shortly to hire a consultant and an ad hoc village center committee will then be formed to work with the consultant. Mr. Altadonna congratulated Mr. Jackman on his work. Ancient Roads Grant: Mr. Jackman reported that the town did not get this grant the choice being rather random and not having anything to do with the particularities of the application. Local Option Tax: Mr. Jackman passed out the Local Option Tax Advisory Council’s Report and Recommendations to the Town of Stowe. Commission members expressed strong support of the council’s list of recommended projects stating that they did a great job of using the town plan as the guiding criteria in coming up with the list. Mr. Jackman will draft a letter as a Planning Commission in support of the projects to send to the Selectboard. Proposed Planning Commission Schedule: Commission members went over a proposed schedule for possible meeting times through the month of April. The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Amanda Riesmeyer Administrative Secretary
PLANNING COMMISSION TOWN OF STOWE December 18, 2006 Minutes The Stowe Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Monday, December 18, 2006, in the Town Administrator’s office of the Akeley Memorial Building, starting at 5:30 p.m. Members present: Lynn Altadonna, Chair Absent: Chuck Baraw Marie Duquette Bob Evans Paul Percy Barbara Pfitzenmayer Others present: Tom Jackman, Director of Planning; Amanda Riesmeyer, Administrative Secretary Minutes The minutes of the November 12, 2006, special meeting were approved with minor changes on a motion by Mr. Percy, seconded by Mr. Noble. Ad Hoc Sign Committee: Recommendations to Planning Commission Mr. Jackman handed out a selection of photos taken of signs from businesses in Stowe which exhibit varying shape, size and style for commission members to view. Commission members concurred that, for the most part, the signs were tasteful and attractive and therefore the sign regulations were fulfilling their desired intent. Commission members agreed upon the following: - Delete: Allow for ZA to approve a sign up to 36 square feet. Mr. Jackman will reword this to allow up to a maximum of 36 square feet in the case of multiple businesses.
- Allow opens signs no larger than 10 x 18 using permanent materials.
- Delete: Do not increase the size of residential signs but allow for flexibility with historic buildings.
- Allow sale signs up to 7 days.
- Leave maximum sign size in VC-10, LVC and MC districts at 36 square feet.
- Leave maximum sign size in HT, MRV, MRC and MC at 70 square feet.
- West Branch and Industrial PUD sign size shall not exceed 70 square feet.
- Temporary signs allowed for up to 90 days.
- Minimize banner signs allowing some on a temporary basis.
- Delete: Beef up non-conforming thresholds to include maintenance and replacement by current business.
- Delete: Event banners – maximum size and standards for hanging (weighted or vented).”
- Open flags are not allowed but commission members were interested in researching the possibility of “theme” flags that could be used to designate when stores were open. It was decided to bring this issue up with Valerie Rochon and the Stowe Area Association.
- Allow sandwich signs for civic and cultural events.
18.5 Ski – PUD (1) Specific Requirements: A. Mr. Jackman will rewrite this section to make it clear that the intent of filing the survey is to verify the acreage. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Amanda Riesmeyer Administrative Secretary
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