FAIRFAX
TOWN OFFICE
PC
MEMBERS PRESENT: G. Heyer, M. Hunziker, A. Lemieux, P. Hudson, R. Wimble
Public
Present: Skip Taylor, Zoning
Administrator; Catherine Dimitruk, Greta Brunswick
7:30 PM Greg Heyer called the
meeting to order. He welcomed Catherine
Dimitruk and Greta Brunswick from Northwest Regional Planning. They were invited to help the Planning
Commission determine the best way to increase non-residential growth in town.
G. Brunswick brought her lap-top and was able to project maps of Fairfax for
the Board to see current and projected growth for Fairfax. The Regional Review Committee will meet with
the Selectboard, probably in March.
This Review Committee reviews all Act 250 projects for conformity to the
Regional Plan. They have noticed
Fairfax has several large projects outside the Growth Center. There are constraints for growth in the
Growth Center: sewer, water, and available land. M. Hunziker asked about regional
goals. This will be covered at the full
committee meeting in March.
C. Dimitruk asked about the
motivation to increase non-residential growth.
A. Lemieux thought the main motivation would be to service the residents
of the Town. G. Heyer did not want to
change the Bylaws without careful thought.
M. Hunziker talked about feeling pressure to add more allowed uses in
various zones, but they wanted it done in a controlled manner, and did not want
to be shortsighted. S. Taylor mentioned
that some small business owners were interested doing business in Fairfax, but
their proposals were not allowed in the districts they were interested in. He mentioned that sewer and water issues are
a problem in the Growth Center. C. Dimitruk stated that according to State
Statute, municipalities can not regulate places of worship and public
facilities. G. Brunswick talked more on
commercial uses in rural areas. Discussion
centered on - lodging establishments, appropriate retail uses, rural retail and
traffic concerns. Greta talked about the potential build-up in the growth
center. All present agreed that
changing district boundaries at this time was not an option.
Both C. Dimitruk and G.
Brunswick were asked what they thought Fairfax needed. A few of the identified needs are:
a) More full time staff for the town to focus on town growth b) Fix
the infrastructure in the growth center, specifically sewer and water, c) Have
new developments connect roads to existing roads in town, and d) Preserve open
land corridors. M. Hunziker asked how
the tax base can cover expenses for the town with very little commercial or
industrial revenues. Discussion then
centered on income versus expenses, and how towns can be revenue neutral,
revenue negative, or revenue positive.
A study could be done to determine this factor for the town. They recommended contacting T. Smith
regarding economic opportunities; he is from the Franklin County Industrial
Corporation. G. Brunswick will e-mail
S. Taylor with ideas on thoughtful considerations for increasing non-residential
growth in town, to be included in the new version of the Bylaws. These will include sample definitions for
rural retail and for Bed & Breakfasts/Boarding Houses. Northwest Regional
Planning will be offering training session in the early spring.
Discussion centered on the
Selectboard’s decision to turn down the Community Visit Program offered by the
Vt. Council on Rural Development. All members of the Planning Commission and
both C. Dimitruk and G. Brunswick expressed their disappointment of this
decision. This study would have been a
great opportunity for the Planning Commission to obtain
additional input and
information to work on the up-coming Town Plan.
9:15 PM C. Dimitruk and G.
Brunswick left. Two Memos from S. Taylor were reviewed concerning changes to
the Bylaws. These changes will be
added. M. Hunziker made a motion to approve the minutes from January 2, 2007.
P. Hudson second. All in
favor. M. Hunziker made a motion to adjourn. A. Lemieux second. All in
favor.
Next meeting will
be a workshop on January 30, 2007.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cathy Raymond, Planning and
Zoning Assistant
Approved_____________________________________
Date______________, 2006
(Chair)