PLANNING COMMISSION TOWN OF STOWE July 2, 2007 Minutes The Stowe Planning Commission held a meeting on Monday, July 2, 2007, 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 Bob Evans Paul Percy Barbara Pfitzenmayer Others present: Rich Baker, Zoning Administrator; Tom Jackman, Director of Planning; Milford Cushman; Jennifer Hezel, Zoning Assistant Minutes The minutes of the June 18, 2007 meeting were approved on a motion by Ms. Pfitzenmayer, seconded by Mr. Baraw. Planning Director Report Mr. Jackman reported that there were unfinished items on the agenda that the Planning Commission would attend to on this evening’s agenda, which are as follows: four items as far as the regulations on signs are concerned; possible revisions to the SHOD; a revision to the RHOD; and building height (i.e. increased building height within certain districts); Mr. Jackman reported that Michael Crane & Associates would come to the July 16 meeting to report on the progress of the Village Center Marketing Plan and to receive input from the PC. Also, the Waterbury Conservation Commission will present a proposal to designate Route 100 as a Vermont Scenic Byway; and the Commission will discuss the possibility of adopting a Fluvial Erosion Hazard Overlay. District. Mr. Jackman introduced Milford Cushman, who attended this evening’s meeting to discuss building height. Mr. Cushman presented that he was very interested in promoting the idea of mixed-use buildings and increasing the maximum building height in certain areas. He stated that the Stowe Zoning Regulations would best serve the needs of the public as well as the community if the Stowe Zoning Regulations promoted and facilitated such types of development. Mr. Cushman will prepare a more specific proposal and Mr. Jackman will try to determine the height of some of the existing buildings in the village. Zoning Revisions Mr. Jackman presented the Rotary Club’s request to install a permanent sign, initiating a discussion whether the language of the ordinance should reflect such wording as “erected by” or “sanctioned by” the town. The Planning Commission decided not to allow the Rotary Club to install a sign, as per their request to install a sign solely for the purpose of advertising Rotary Club meetings. The Planning Commission also decided that Sandwich Boards, except for community-wide events, and OPEN flags would not be allowed in town. The Commission reviewed and approved changes to the SHOD regulations proposed by the SHPC, including a section on administrative approval, which allows the Zoning Administrator to approve various activities after a positive recommendation from the SHPC. The PC also approved adding fences and walls to the list of activities requiring review and approved guidelines for fences and walls within the SHOD. The Commission discussed pre-development site preparation in the RHOD and approved adding language to clarify that it requires DRB review. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Hezel, Zoning Assistant
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