MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY PLANNING COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 23, 2003, COLE HALL, SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT
Board Present:
Andrew Knafel, Chairman, Kevin Bubriski, Vice-Chairman, David Mance, William
Jakubowski, and Jim Serrao.
Board Absent: Mark Young
Other’s Present: Peter Cross, Chairman of Shaftsbury Selectboard, John
Tiffany, Vice-Chairman of Shaftsbury Selectboard, Debbie Maskiell, Anthony
Zazzaro, Shaftsbury Zoning Administrator, Rex Burke from Bennington County
Regional Commission and Cynthia Hamilton.
Call to Order: Mr. Knafel called the meeting to order at 7:32pm.
New Business: None
Old Business:
Revision of
Shaftsbury Town Plan and Amendment of Zoning Regulations:
Mr. Cross, speaking on behalf of the Selectboard, impressed the need to have a
Town Plan implemented in order to apply for State grants, and also noted that
any permit applied for has no basis, especially if it is appealed.
Discussion ensued as to the procedures and timeline involved in order to pass a
Town Plan. Mr. Burke outlined the timeline and requirements for such and Mr.
Mance detailed the history of the current proposed Town Plan, and the
recommendations incorporated within that correlate with the Shaftsbury Economic
Revitalization Study.
With this discussion, the members of the Shaftsbury Selectboard in attendance
will investigate the option of having a Town Plan adopted under a special vote
in November and the Shaftsbury Planning Commission will continue with their
timeline for a March vote.
Mr. Jakubowski led review of the recommendations of the Shaftsbury Economic
Revitalization Plan, noting that most of the recommendations, such as the bike
path proposed for Route 67A, feasibility study, mixed use, and changing density
requirements were already mirrored or incorporated within the proposed Town
Plan, and specifically discussed the need to begin a study of the possibility of
connecting to the Bennington Wastewater Treatment facility. Mr. Cross reported
that Stuart Hurd, Bennington Town Manager reported that there is plenty of room
available at Bennington’s facility, but to establish a sewer connection would
require a minimum number of customer’s. Discussion ensued as to the most
feasible path for any such connection. Mr. Burke reported that any planning
grant from the State would allow for the engineering of such a project and if
the project doesn’t see fruition then usually the grant is forgiven.
With such discussion, Mr. Mance made a motion to approve the proposed Town Plan
for the Public Hearing portion of the approval process, scheduled for November
3rd, 2003. Mr. Jakubowski seconded this motion. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Discussion then ensued with regards to the proposed “mix use” addition to the
Shaftsbury Zoning Regulations. Mr. Jakubowski thanked Mr. Burke for his quick
response to this issue. It was decided that this would be put aside until the
Town Plan moves through it‘s final stages towards a Town wide vote.
Other Business:
Mr. Mance questioned the operations of John Cicirello in regards to an apparent
marble cutting business that is being operated on Route 67A and Lamb Road. Mr.
Zazzaro will investigate and report back to the Commission at their next regular
meeting.
Zoning Administrator’s Report:
Mr. Zazzaro reported that a Burdick is operating an RV repair business and some
type of construction operation on Church Street. Mr. Zazzaro will investigate
and report back to the Commission at their next regularly scheduled meeting.
Mr. Zazzaro reported that he is in the process of formulating a plan to redo the
permit filing system to directly reference the tax parcel ID number. This will
cost some additional funds to pay for assistance of such. Mr. Jakubowski made a
motion to approve expenditures up to $400 for assistance in reorganizing the
permit filings. Mr. Serrao seconded this motion. Motion carried 4-0-0.
With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Mance made a motion to
adjourn at 9:20pm. Mr. Serrao seconded this motion. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cynthia Hamilton
Board Secretary
Back