Development Review Board Public Hearing Minutes

February 16, 2005

Development Review Board members present: Jerry Chabot, Alternate, Margot Pender, Mike Rainville, Ken Richardson, Susan Vita

Development Review Board members absent: Rob Heimbuch

Clerk: Amy Grover

Also present: Ian MacDougall, CCRPC Representative

Agenda

Chapter 117 Amendment Training
Minutes - November 17, 2005
Other business or communications
Adjournment

Agenda Item #1 - Chapter 117 Amendment Training
Ian dispersed the new Vermont Municipal and Regional Planning and Development Act (Chapter 117) to the Board, noting that the first 90 pages were the new amendments, and that the remainder of the document was the old document, prior to July 2004. Ian also dispersed the Vermont Land Use Education and Training Collaborative Bulletins. Ian stated that VTLCT had compiled a list of "FAQs", which he would send to Amy via email for dispersement to the Board.

Ian provided the slides from a power point presentation, and amendment discussion included:

How Bolton has treated "small lots merger."
Waiver vs. variance. Ian noted the importance of the Board becoming very familiar with both these terms and applications, and the needed consistency in granting either.
Administration and enforcement, any additional powers of the ZA in Bolton.
The need for the DRB to draft rules of procedure and ethics policies (by September 1, 2005), to issue written decisions and act like a court.
Notice requirements: 15 days for a hearing warning, warning posted in three places in the Town, applicant must post the notice within view of a public right of way.
Decision requirements: 45 days from the closing of the final public hearing, written decision, applicant must post decision until appeal period has lapsed.
"Interested Person." Review the statute definition of "interested person." Note that an interested person must participate (not just attend, but speak, or send a written letter before the date of the hearing so the letter may be entered into the record) at the local level to be able to participate at a later date, or a higher level (i.e. environmental court). Ken asked if government entities were exempt from this requirement, and Ian stated he would research that issue. Ian noted that the Chair of the Board should review this statutory requirement before the start of any hearing, and to review as needed to become familiar with.
For the record: who speaks, who is in attendance, sign in, and contact information.
Notice to abutters now a requirement.
Waiver vs. variance.
Wind turbines.

Ian stated that the Board should review the changes, and that he/CCRPC would come back to Bolton at a later date (May meeting) to readdress any questions or concerns.

Agenda Item #2 -Minutes November 17, 2004
Mike Rainville made the motion to accept the minutes of November 17, 2004. Susan Vita seconded the motion. All were in favor, motion carried.

Agenda Item #3 - Other business or communications
Amy will contact Sharon Murray to obtain more information regarding wind turbines, waiver vs. variance, rules of procedure, and ethics.

Mike noted that he would be away May 7 - 14. Ken and Susan noted that they would both be away on April's meeting date.

Agenda Item #4 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

Amy Grover
Clerk, Development Review Board
These minutes are unofficial until accepted.

These minutes were read and accepted by the Development Review Board on



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