PLANNING COMMISSION

The Stowe Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Monday, July 7, 2008, in the Banquet Room of the Akeley Memorial Building, starting at 6:00 p.m.

Members Present:    Lynn Altadonna, Chair

                                    Barbara Pfitzenmayer

                                    Jacque Shiner

                                    C. Paul Reed, Vice Chair

Members Absent:     Paul Percy

Staff Present:              Tom Jackman, Director of Planning; Andrea McKnight, Commission Clerk

Ms. Pfitzenmayer moved that the Commission minutes from the June 2, 2008 meeting be approved. Mr. Baraw seconded. Minutes were approved unanimously.

Ms. Pfitzenmayer moved that the Commission minutes from the June 16, 2008 meeting be approved. Mr. Baraw seconded. Minutes were approved unanimously.

The Selectboard held the final public hearing on the new Zoning Regulations and during that meeting decided not to eliminate the parking requirement in the Village. Mr. Jackman felt there had been a good discussion and a general consensus that this was not the right time to change the parking regulations. The new zoning regulations go into effect on Monday, July 14, 2008. 

The Commission discussed the community survey results. Ms.Shiner will take the raw data and present a synopsis that can be included in the Town Plan.

At the next Commission meeting the group will start with Chapter 5—goals, policies, implementation, going through item by item deciding what to keep in the new plan, what to add and what to remove.

Mr. Altadonna requested that Mr. Jackman write an article for the Stowe Reporter providing a brief overview of the survey results and briefly talk about the Town Plan Update and request public input at the upcoming (dates yet to be determined) public forums.

              PLANNING COMMISSION

The Stowe Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Monday, July 21, 2008, in the Banquet Room of the Akeley Memorial Building, starting at 6:00 p.m.

Members Present:    Lynn Altadonna, Chair

                                    Barbara Pfitzenmayer

Members Absent:     C. Paul Reed, Vice Chair and Jacque Shiner

Staff Present:              Tom Jackman, Director of Planning; Andrea McKnight, Commission Clerk

Mr. Percy moved that the Commission minutes from the July 7, 2008 meeting be approved. Mr. Baraw seconded. Minutes were approved unanimously with a correction that Mr. Reed is Vice Chair not Mr. Percy. Minutes so corrected.

Village Center Committee is now meeting twice a month. The flower baskets on the street lamp posts are one of the Committee’s accomplished goals. There is a Street Scape sub-committee meeting Wednesday, July 23^rd to walk around the village looking at places where additional benches might be appropriate along with trash receptacles. Commission members are invited to attend. On Thursday, July 24^th another sub-committee will be doing another village walk, this time looking at parking—where could there be more? Where can signs be erected directing people to parking? Again, Commission members are invited to attend. Mr. Altadonna suggested that the group also look at “useless” or “unnecessary signs”. There may be some signs that either could come down completely or be replaced.

Ms. Pfitzenmayer suggested Adirondack chairs be considered, along with benches by the Street-scape committee.

Mr. Jackman reported that the Travel Information Counsel for village-scale business signs turned down the Town. The Counsel thought the design presented was very nice, but the signs would still be in conflict with the State’s signboard law.

The State’s Downtown Program Director was an invited speaker at the Village Center Committee meeting. She talked about forming a downtown committee; how to fund them; membership; and how they work. When asked what her impression of Stowe was, as she came into town, her response was it was “a little too pretty.”

The Commission members further discussed vibrancy and what that really means to the town. They discussed better sidewalks, better signage, finishing the sidewalks and additional bike lanes. It was decided by the Commission that they would like Mr. Jackman to invite Mr. Rabidoux, Public Works Director for the Town to meet with the Commission to further discuss sidewalks and bike paths.

Mr. Jackman announced that Cliff Johnson has been hired as assistant Public Works Director to assist Mr. Rabidoux with the workload.

Mr. Jackman showed the Commission the signs that have been made for Sterling Forest.

It was noted that the Conservation Commission has planted trees at the beginning of the bike path, here in Town, behind the Congregational Church.

The Commission went through the Town Plan – Section 5 – point by point. Making changes as needed. This process will continue in subsequent meetings until the Town Plan has been completed.

The Commission requested that Mr. Jackman supply them with a monthly update of Act 250 happenings.