MINUTES OF THE SHAFTSBURY PLANNING COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 3, 2003, COLE HALL, SHAFTSBURY, VERMONT
Board Present:
Andrew Knafel, Chairman, Mark Young, Jim Serrao, David Mance and William
Jakubowski.
Board Absent: Kevin Bubriski
Other’s Present: Charles Bushey, Anthony Zazzaro, Zoning Administrator
and Cynthia Hamilton.
Call to Order: Mr. Knafel called the meeting to order at 7:40pm.
Hearing Proposed Town Plan: Mr. Knafel opened the floor for discussion of
the proposed Town Plan currently under consideration. Mr. Bushey explained that
he was present for two reasons: one as a member of the Shaftsbury Economic
Development Review Committee and the second as a resident of Shaftsbury. Mr.
Bushey questioned whether the proposed Town Plan addressed the recommendations
in the Shaftsbury Economic Development Review report to change zoning districts
around the center of Shaftsbury, west to Whitman’s Feed and South to the
cemetery, to promote more development in Shaftsbury? Mr. Knafel explained that
before anymore development occurs in the VC1 District, which allows for
professional business, the issue of adequate sewage must be explored. Mr. Knafel
further explained that the Shaftsbury Planning Commission has been communicating
with the Shaftsbury Selectboard on acquiring grant monies to facilitate a
feasibility study of extending service from the Bennington Wastewater Treatment
facility into Shaftsbury. Mr. Knafel directed Mr. Bushey in review of the
proposed addendum regarding Home Occupations, which relaxes the current
guidelines, with the intent of promoting Home Occupations in Shaftsbury. Mr.
Bushey noted that the Act 250 Board uses the Town Plan as a guideline when
considering applications from Shaftsbury, and stressed the importance of this
document being clear and consistent. In addition, Mr. Bushey recommended that
the Shaftsbury Planning Commission review adjacent Town Plans for their
guidelines in respect to dead end streets, wetland buffers, and a notice of
waiver to any provision incorporated with a Town Plan. Discussion then ensued
with regards to communication, aka. Cellular towers.
With this discussion, Mr. Mance made a motion to adopt the Shaftsbury Town Plan,
and forward to the Shaftsbury Selectboard for their first hearing, with the
following changes incorporated:
Proposed inclusion to section 6.2 as the 5th paragraph, [page 24 & 25]:
As a result of the findings of the ‘2003 South Shaftsbury Economic
Revitalization Plan’ the Planning Commission recommends revising the home
occupation requirements in the VC districts to allow:
1. up to three employees
2. 50% of floor space to be utilized for home occupation
3. up to 50% of products sold to be produced outside the home as long as it is
in keeping with the general type of business taking place in the home
4. parking should reflect the needs of the business
Proposed inclusion to section 11.6 Recommendations as section 3 [page 45]:
3. The Town should create a bike/hiking path along Paran Road and continue same
along State Route 67 to Eagle Square and then onto Church Street to the Four
Corners connecting to the recently placed sidewalk to Howard Park. This would
provide a needed addition to the recreational facilities of the Town and would
have the benefit of connecting two important existing recreational facilities.
Proposed changes to section 9.2 Solid Waste [page 39]:
Paragraph 1:
In response to methane issues and the limited remaining capacity of the
facility, a decision was made by the Selectboard in 2003 to limit use of the
Town’s landfill and establish a mobile collection facility so that solid waste
could be disposed of off site. It also privatized much of the landfill and
recycling operation. Plans are being developed to close the landfill and convert
to a transfer facility.
Paragraph 2:
The landfill facility provides for the separation of metal, tires, demolition
debris, brush, untreated wood and compost. Twice annually the Town holds a
household hazardous waste collection event. Waste oil and oil filters are
collected throughout the year.
Paragraph 4:
Operational changes made by the Selectboard will enable the Town to maintain
local control over its solid waste and recycling management.
Typographical Correction to following paragraph under section 3.2 [page 9]:
3.2 Housing Characteristics:
Between 1980 and 1994 2000 the number of year-round dwelling units in Shaftsbury
grew from 1,085 to 1,343 1,508, a 23.8 39% increase. During the same period the
number of vacation or seasonal units in town increased decreased from 96 to 98
66, only a 2.1 31.3% increase decrease. Approximately 90% of the dwelling units
in Shaftsbury are single-family homes (including mobile homes), while less than
10% of the units are in multi-family buildings.
Proposed addition to Section 5.3 Policies [page 18]:
26. Installation of cell towers shall be regulated to minimize adverse affect on
the Town.
Proposed addition to Section 9.5 [page 41]:
WBTN radio tower located on Buck Hill provides a platform for wireless
communications.
Proposed addition to Section 9.6 [page 41]:
4. Communication companies should be required to bundle and to make use of
existing structures, where available, for siting communication facilities.
Mr. Young seconded said motion. Motion carried 4-0-0.
Correspondence: Mr. Knafel reported that the Exemption Letter was
received for Richmond and Mary Hall.
Zoning Administrator’s Report:
Mr. Zazzaro reported that a resident is interested in installing a Ham Radio
Antennae. Mr. Mance noted that there is a 30 foot height limitation that would
apply.
Mr. Gary Burgess had contacted Mr. Zazzaro in regards to the hours of operation
for A-1 AutoBody in Shaftsbury. Mr. Zazzaro reported that with his investigation
he discovered that there are no limits in Mr. Tim Davis’ permit for said
operation.
Mr. Zazzaro reported that Mrs. Valerie Shemeth was interested in the possibility
of the Marsh Farm being subdivided. It was decided that the Planning Commission
cannot offer any consideration unless it is presented in the appropriate and
proper protocol as a warned application.
Mr. Zazzaro also reported that Mr. Corey was interested in the construction
progress on Ed Colvin’s development on Twitchell Hill. Discussion ensued with
regards to the water lines vs. wells. It was determined that the Shaftsbury
Planning Commission approved Mr. Colvin’s application with wells. Mr. Zazzaro
will double check with the Water Board to confirm this.
With no further business before the Commission, Mr. Mance made a motion to
adjourn at 8:38pm. Mr. Young seconded said motion. Motion carried 5-0-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cynthia Hamilton
Board Secretary