FAIRFAX TOWN OFFICE
PC MEMBERS PRESENT: G. Heyer, M Hunziker, D. Brown, A. Lemieux, R. Wimble
PUBLIC PRESENT: S. Taylor, ZA
7:00
PM G. Heyer called the meeting to order. S. Taylor informed the Planning
Commission that the Planning Grant that was approved last fall needs a
resolution by the Selectboard to appoint a new Authorizing Official and an
alternate Official. The only Authorizing Official is J. Cleary, who has left
the Selectboard. G. Heyer signed the
resolution for the PC. After this
resolution is complete, some of the funds from the Grant can be released. The Minutes from May 19, 2009 were
reviewed. M. Hunziker made a motion to accept the Minutes from May 19, 2009.
R. Wimble second. All in favor.
Mark
Hunziker shared a map of the Town Water and Sewer lines with the Board. He noticed the boundaries of the Growth
Center do not correspond with the infrastructure of the Town. It would make sense to change the Growth
Center boundaries to the north to have the current sewer and water lines included
as part of the Growth Center.
S.
Taylor summarized the last meeting’s discussion on density in the proposed
Agricultural/Forest/Rural Residential District (A/F/RR District). There was
much discussion on PUDs , on lot sizes, and on density requirements. The Planning Commission considered the
following recommendations:
1) Minimum lot size in the A/F/RR District
shall remain at two (2) Acres per unit, except in PUD’s.
2)
Any subdivision in the A/F/RR District of 3 or more lots within a five
year period must be a Planned Unit
Development (PUD). PUDs in the A/F/RR District are required to
preserve at least 50% of the parcel
as open
land (with no further development allowed.) The maximum density of one unit for every
two acres shall apply to
these PUDs, but with no minimum lot
size. (Example, a 50 acre lot can
possibly have up to 25 homes and must have
at least 25 acres of open space.)
2a) The creation of a third or subsequent lot within a 5 year
period will be treated as a PUD and will require
sufficient open space as if the first and second lots were
included in the PUD (50% of the total acreage of all
lots created, including the first two lots, must be designated as
open space).
3) Design
standards that address clustering of homes, setbacks, and the general look
of the PUD development will need to be incorporated into the Bylaws.
The
Town focus on agriculture was discussed.
G. Heyer talked about the doubtful future of farming in Fairfax. Milk prices for farmers are extremely low
and expenses are higher than income.
The land in Vermont is not viable farm country compared to other parts
of the country where the farms are huge commercial operations. M. Hunziker thought the mandate from the
residents of Fairfax was to preserve open land, not necessarily actual
farms.
The
upcoming public forum (scheduled for June
23, 2009) to get input from landowners was discussed. The Town hopes to
allow development while preserving open space.
A. Lemiuex mentioned the need for visuals at the forum (for lots of 5
acres, 10 acres or 100 acres) to help explain the proposed changes.
The
next meeting will be on June 16, 2009
with G. Brunswick.
8:30PM
M.
Hunziker made a motion to adjourn. D.
Brown 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.