FAIRFAX TOWN OFFICE
PC MEMBERS PRESENT: G. Heyer, A. Lemieux, R. Wimble, M Hunziker, D. Brown
PUBLIC PRESENT: S. Taylor, ZA
7:30 PM G.
Heyer called the meeting to order. The minutes from December 2, 2008 were reviewed.
A. Lemieux made a motion to accept the Minutes from December
2, 2008. R. Wimble second. G.
Heyer, A. Lemieux, R. Wimble and D. Brown in favor.
S. Taylor brought up the
Municipal Planning Grant that was applied for, to update the current Bylaws in
keeping with the new Town Plan. The amount of available funds from the State
has been reduced, and there is a strong possibility that the Town will not
receive a Grant this year. He also
brought up the Town Budget. There was much discussion on whether or not the
Board should work on revising the Bylaws this current year without the Grant
that would allow extensive help from Northwest Regional Planning Commission
(NWRP). Greta Brunswick from NRPC had provided a new “Table of Contents” for
the suggested format revision of the Bylaws. It is important to fix some areas
of the Bylaws and to have the Bylaws reflect the new Town Plan that was adopted
in September, 2008. NRPC will also be available to answer questions and to
provide general assistance. The Planning
Commission unanimously agreed to work on changing the Bylaws. C. Raymond will draft a memo to the
Selectboard to affirm that the Board feels it is important to update the Bylaws
during 2009.
The Board reviewed the
Planning Commission’s contribution to the annual report. It will be submitted as written.
M. Hunziker made a motion that one unanimous vote be
done to elect the Officers of the Planning Commission. A. Lemieux second.
All in favor. M. Hunziker moved to elect G. Heyer as Chairman,
R. Wimble as Vice Chairman, and M. Hunziker as Clerk. A. Lemieux second. All in favor.
Discussion returned to the
Bylaw revision. S. Taylor identified
six major areas that needed revision:
1. Certification of private roads – needs more specific details and
inspections from the Engineer.
2. Boarding Houses – current Bylaws states that renting one room
constitutes a Boarding House.
3. Frontage requirements for subdivision of land-locked back lots.
4. Requirements to survey the entire parcel, for small portion of
land to be subdivided or for a boundary
adjustment.
5. Permits not required for specific reasons such as finishing
basements, garages, or adding a roof over the
deck. The Listers
mentioned lost revenue for the Town by not requiring these Permits.
6. Wording clarification of “lots”, “uses” and “units” in
relationship to roads and driveways.
S. Taylor will provide
specific recommendations for changes to these areas.
C. Raymond will provide a draft
of a new Table of Contents for the upcoming revisions.
A. Lemieux will provide a
summary of the Home Share Program and suggestions to change the definition of
Boarding Houses. Both house sitting, and caring for others as a hospice
caregiver, will also effect the definition.
Various buildings in Town
that are in transition were discussed. Also
various issues were discussed including what to do about animal carcasses that
are on the banks of the rivers or roads.
M. Hunziker mentioned a clean-up drive that was organized by the local Business
Association a while back.
8:45 PM M. Hunziker made a motion to adjourn. A. Lemieux second. All in
favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cathy Raymond, Zoning and
Planning Assistant
Approved_____________________________________
Date______________, 2009
(Chair)
These minutes are unofficial until approved at the
next regularly scheduled meeting.