FAIRFAX TOWN OFFICE
PC MEMBERS PRESENT: G. Heyer, M Hunziker, A. Lemieux, R. Wimble
PUBLIC PRESENT: S. Taylor
7:00
PM G. Heyer called the meeting to order. The Minutes from September 15, 2009 were reviewed A. Lemieux made a motion to accept the
Minutes from September 15, 2009. M. Hunziker second. All in favor.
S.
Taylor mentioned a DRB member had resigned and may have an interest in joining
the PC. After much discussion it was
determined that a 5 member board was most comfortable. There are no openings on the Board at this
time. It was brought up that the terms
for some of the members need to be updated by the Selectboard. The issue of roads was brought up also. The Board will ask G. Brunswick, NRPC, how
other Towns define roads. The Planning
Commission would like the Selectboard to reconsider requiring a road to be
built for two or more houses, especially for short distances. M. Hunziker thought that future maintenance
of a road is probably the main problem.
It is possible to have a “country road look”, as long as it has the
proper base. The Selectboard would like
a joint meeting, before the Planning Commission makes any final decisions on
the changes. This document will be a
whole new set of Bylaws that will need to be adopted, not just amended.
Discussion
centered on the “Draft Use Table 09/15/2009” that was proposed by G. Brunswick.
The Board recommends the following changes be made:
1)
“Multi-Family Dwellings”: The
Board did not think it needed to be broken down into two categories, and that
the proposed use should require
a DRB hearing in most districts.
2)
“Retail Sales”: The Board did not think it needed to be broken down into
two categories, and that the proposed
use should require a
Conditional Use and Site Plan hearing in most districts.
3)
“Personal or Professional Service” implies non-residential use, and the
proposed use should require a DRB
hearing in most districts.
“Small Rural Business (home or Principal Use)” does not need to be a separate
category.
4)
“Lodging Establishment” should require a Conditional Use and Site Plan
hearing in most districts, with no
minimum number of rooms.
5)
“Restaurant or Drinking Establishment” should require a Conditional Use
and Site Plan hearing in most
districts.
6)
“Industry, Light” should require a Conditional Use and Site Plan hearing
in three districts and not allowed in
the Growth Center, the
Conservation District, and the Recreation District.
7)
“Bed and Breakfast” should require a Conditional Use and Site Plan
hearing in most districts. There should be
no limitations to the
number of rooms.
The
board also recommends that “Rooming and Boarding House”, should also be
included as a separate category with the definition changed to include “more
than 2 rooms”
In
broad terms, “Conditional Use” refers to the use being consistent with the
character of the neighborhood, while “Site Plan Review” refers to the physical characteristics
of the site such as parking, lighting, etc. The conditional use guidelines
could be enhanced to include impact studies, etc. It was discussed that items such as State Permits are not the
responsibility of the Town, and the Bylaws ad/or conditions on a project,
should reflect only items that can be enforced by the Town.
Next meeting will be on October 20, 2009
with G. Brunswick.
8:55
PM A.
Lemieux made a motion to adjourn. M.
Hunziker 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.