Bolton VT 05676

802-434-5075

Planning Commission/MPG Advisory Committee Minutes

June 8, 2004

Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m.

Planning Commission members present: Linda Baker, Jim Bralich, Steve Barner

Planning Commission members absent: Chris Haggerty, Rodney Pingree

MPG Advisory Committee members present: Jen Andrews, Joss Besse, Dick Ward, Jerry Mullen

MPG Advisory Committee members absent: Rob Heimbuch, Margot Pender

Clerk: Amy Grover

Also present: Sharon Murray Burnt Rock, Inc., Larry Williams, Redstone

Agenda

1. Discussion/Review Zoning Regulation Draft

2. Discussion/Recommendations Adoption Process

3. Minutes May 4, 2004

4. Other communications/mail

5. Any other business

6. Adjournment

Agenda Item #1 – Discussion/Review Zoning Regulation Draft

Tabled until July. The committee came to the consensus not to begin the review of the proposed “Land Use and Development Regulations for the Town of Bolton” document, as the document had just been dispersed at the start of the meeting. The committee agreed to two “marathon sessions” in July to try to complete the review of the entire document. The first session will focus on Article II Zoning Districts, the second, the remainder of the document. Sharon Murray noted that the document was a working draft, and noted three areas in the document still in need of review/input:

· Agriculture Overlay District

· VII District

· Sign standards

Sharon suggested that the committee explore the possibility of amending the Town Plan, and insert the purpose statements from the land use sections and the zoning district map, noting that the amendments to 117 now allow for the hearings (Zoning Regulations and Town Plan) to be done simultaneously. Sharon added that she could continue to work at a retainer rate.

Amy will disperse copies of the working draft to the remainder of the Select Board.

A copy of the working draft of the “Land Use and Development Regulations for the Town of Bolton VT” is available for review at the Town Clerk’s office.

Agenda Item #2 – Discussion/Recommendations Adoption Process

The committee reviewed and discussed the (new) options for the adoption process. The Planning Commission and Select Board would still each hold their public hearings, followed by the adoption. The options for adoption are:

1. Adoption of bylaws by the Select Board at a meeting, effective 21 days after adoption to allow for a petition vote (5% of registered voters needed).

2. Select Board votes (duly warned) at a regular or special meeting that the adoption of bylaws shall be by a vote (duly warned) of the Town by Australian ballot. (Most like current process.)

3. Select Board votes at a meeting that the Town shall vote (duly warned) by Australian ballot whether to adopt bylaws by a duly warned vote. (“vote to vote”)

Sharon and Joss will attend the Select Board meeting on Monday, June 21, 2004 to provide the Board with an overview of the draft document, review the options for the adoption process, and gain understanding of the Board’s preference regarding the latter. Amy will make sure the large draft maps are available for that meeting. The committee agreed to tentatively schedule the Planning Commission hearing for the document in September.

Agenda Item #3– Minutes May 4, 2004

Tabled until the July meeting.

Agenda Item #4– Other communications/mail

The committee reviewed input from Steve McLeod, noting his concerns that “easements, the conservation district, could ban snowmobile trails, commercial timber harvesting, wildlife habitat creation and primitive public access.” The committee noted that the current draft does not prohibit the above-mentioned land use activities.

Agenda Item #5 – Any other business

Larry Williams stated that Redstone had presented their vision to the Committee and was seeking a response. Linda Baker noted that the committee would be looking at the VII District at the first July meeting. Mr. Williams noted that Redstone:

Was refining their master plan, showing what the proposed zoning would actually look like while preserving amenities, i.e. Nordic trails.
Had completed installation of the ropes course.
Had soil maps of all of Bolton Valley, if that was helpful.
Hired Art Wolf and Richard Heaps to do a school impact study, and would be happy to share those results with the committee.

The next scheduled meetings of the MPG Advisory Committee will be Tuesday, July 13, 2004 and Tuesday, July 20, 2004, 5 – 10 p.m. at Smilie School. Dinner will be provided.

Agenda Item #6 – Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

Amy Grover

Clerk, Planning Commission

These minutes are unofficial until accepted.

These minutes were read and accepted by the Planning Commission on

__________________________ , 2004.

___________________________

Linda Baker, Chair