Planning Commission Minutes Monday
October 25, 2010
Public Hearing for the Proposed
Development Regulations
BFA Fairfax School – Multi-Purpose Room
PC MEMBERS PRESENT: G. Heyer, M. Hunziker, R. Wimble, A. Lemieux, D. Brown
PUBLIC PRESENT: Skip Taylor, Zoning Administrator; Greta Brunswick, NRPC; Jason Heyer
DRB Chair: Martha Varney,
DRB; David Gardell; Thomas Snyder; James Minor Sr.; Michael Averill; Mary
Casey; Justin Hayes
7:05 PM - G
Heyer called the meeting to order. Greg thanked people for coming and
introduced the members of the Planning Commission. Members of the public introduced themselves. Greg gave a brief introduction regarding the
proposed Development Regulations, including why it was being done - to reflect
the current Town Plan and State Regulations.
Greg then introduced Greta Brunswick, Land Use Planner from the
Northwest Regional Planning Commission.
Greta began her presentation
with an overview of the process, focusing on how the proposal will work its way
through the approval process, and how many hearings will occur. Greta then spoke to the major changes, with
the following highlights discussed:
1. Zoning
Districts
2. Dimensional
Standards
3. Allowed
Uses
4. Setback
Exemptions
5. Planned
Unit Developments (PUDs)
6. Water
Quality Protection
7. Adaptive
Re-Use of Historic Structures
8. Small
Off-Grid Wind projects
9. Road and
Driveway Standards
10. Definitions
Mary Casey
identified some potential inconsistencies in the definition of Roads and
Driveways, and asked for clarification on density calculations for subdivisions
and PUDs. She asked if the Stream
Buffers would affect Density calculations. Michael Averill
complimented the Board for an easy to understand document. Justin Hayes and Thomas Snyder commented on the changes
in Road and Driveway Standards. The
Board responded that much discussion preceded the draft, with an attempt to
balance the Fire and Rescue’s concerns about safety with the desire to retain
the rural feel of the community and affordability of housing. There was some discussion about enforcement
of private road conditions, and the possibility of town sponsored periodic
education for owners of Private Roads.
Standards for Dry Hydrants were mentioned. The Planning Commission was asked if the time to remove or
reconstruct a damaged or abandoned building could be lengthened from one to two
years.
David Gardell was concerned that the new regulations could accelerate the rate of growth in Fairfax,
which he said was contrary to the wishes of the Town as expressed in the 2007
Town Survey. He was specifically
concerned with the elimination of frontage requirements, the smaller sizes of
lots in PUDs, and the changes in Road and Driveway Standards. He was concerned that these changes would
permit development where none was possible before. The Board responded that there would be more development in
Fairfax and that the Board tried to balance the needs of individual landowners
and the needs of the Town as a whole.
The public was thanked and invited
to deliver any additional comments in writing to the Zoning Office.
The next meeting of the
Planning Commission will be on Tuesday, November 2nd at 7PM in the
Town Office.
Respectfully prepared and submitted
by Skip Taylor – Zoning Administrator
Approved
_________________________________ Date___________________
(Chair)
These minutes are unofficial until approved at the
next regularly scheduled meeting.