PLANNING COMMISSION

The Stowe Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Monday, June 16, 2008, in the Banquet Room of the Akeley Memorial Building, starting at 6:00 p.m.

Members Present:                        Lynn Altadonna, Chair                                        Members Absent:

                        Paul Reed, Vice Chair                                                        Sal Vespa

                        Barbara Pfitzenmayer

                        Chuck Baraw

                        Jacque Shiner

                        Paul Percy

Others Present:            Tom Jackman, Director of Planning, Justin Rabidoux, Director of Public Works

Mayo Farm Resource Assessment

Mr. Rabidoux explained the reasoning for hiring a consultant to conduct a resource assessment of Mayo Farm that would identify the environmental and regulatory constraints to development on the farm. The Army Corps of Engineers is requiring this if we want to do any more drainage work on the community events fields. Mr. Jackman prepared a draft letter of support to send to the Selectboard recommending the project. It was the consensus of the Commission to support the project and send the letter.

Mr. Jackman and Mr. Rabidoux presented a recommendation to apply for a 2009 Municipal Planning Grant to piggyback onto the $20,000 approved by voters to do a detailed site plan for the Memorial Park area between Stowe Elementary School and the Jackson Arena. The money approved is enough to do an assessment of the environmental and regulatory constraints on the property, but not enough to do a detailed site plan. The Commission approved applying for the grant on a motion by Mr. Baraw, seconded by Mr. Reed.

Mr. Rabidoux explained why we haven’t been successful in applying for a Transportation Enhancements grant to do the design and engineering for sidewalks in the Mountain Road Village. The administrator of the program had informed Mr. Rabidoux that the town would not receive additional funding until the current construction phase on Mountain Road is complete.

Mr. Rabidoux also explained why construction was delayed on Mountain Road this year, that it was because of a “red tape” delay at VTrans. The person that issues access permits wasn’t aware that we had approved design and engineering plans, which delayed the project for 3 months and made it impossible to begin construction this year.

Mr. Rabidoux provided input on the Sewer, Water and Transportation sections of the Town Plan.

The minutes of the August 4 meeting were approved on a motion by Ms. Pfitzenmayer, seconded by Ms. Shiner.