CITY OF VERGENNES
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2018
Members Present: Shannon Haggett-Chair, Mike Winslow-Vice Chair, Danelle Birong,
Cheryl Brinkman, Tim Cook, Christine Garrow, Carrie Macfarlane, John Coburn (At 715 PM)
Also Present: Peter Garon, Zoning Administrator, Adam Lougee, Executive Director, Addison County Regional Planning Commission
Shannon called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. He asked if there were any proposed amendments to the agenda. No amendments were requested. There were no visitors.
The minutes to the meeting of October 1, 2018 were reviewed. Mike moved to approve the minutes with changes noted. The motion was seconded by Cheryl with all voting in favor.
The Planning Commission Rules of Procedure require that a reorganization meeting be held annually in November. The rules require the election of officers. Cheryl moved that the current slate of officers, Shannon as Chair, Mike as Vice Chair and Peter as Clerk be re-elected. The motion was seconded by Tim with all voting in favor.
The rules also require that the Planning Commission Rules of Procedure be subject to re-adoption at the annual meeting in November. Mike moved that the Planning Commission Rules of Procedure be re-adopted. The motion was seconded by Cheryl with all voting in favor.
In the material emailed to the Committee there was an email from Brenda Logee about transportation issues. Shannon noted that he had replied to that email indicating to her that the Committee would be considering transportation issues during its review of the MDP.
Mike shared his draft of 1.2 (Our Vision of the Future) of the municipal development plan. Several wording changes were suggested. The group wanted to emphasize amenities and attractions for visitors, and to keep the specific reference to renewable energy. (His draft is included as an addendum to the minutes.) Christine provided a list of Plans and Studies referenced in the MDP and raised the question of which studies are germane to the current review. The consensus was that instead of reviewing all the specifics at once, they could be considered in the context of the review of the specific sections of the plan.
The review will continue next month with focus on Sections 1.4.1 to 2.2.7 of the MDP using Shannon’s “2019 Vergennes MDP Policy and Goal Matrix”.
Adam Lougee, the Executive Director of the Addison County Regional Planning Commission was present to hold a consultation with the Planning Commission and to review the role of the Regional Planning Commission and the interaction with the Vergennes Planning Commission. Shannon shared with him the process the Vergennes Planning Commission is taking in the review of the MDP. Adam informed the Commission that Route 22A is scheduled for a resurfacing within the City limits in 2020. This is an excellent opportunity to prepare for and address things which the City can do ahead of the paving to further connectivity and pedestrian and cyclist safety. Shannon indicated that this would be an agenda item for the December meeting to review and develop recommendations.
Adam also said that the Vermont Housing Finance Agency has recently unveiled a new housing data base which could be of assistance as the Commission reviews housing sections of our plan.
Next the Planning Commission heard items of interest updates:
- Transportation items update – Shannon noted that Adam has already shared the news on this topic.
- Stormwater items update – Mike noted that there will be a meeting on Monday to discuss Ecosystem Restorations Partnership (ERP) grant opportunities to address specific alternative recommendations based on the recently completed “City of Vergennes – Stormwater Master Plan”.
- Materials Management items update – Cheryl reported that the ACSWMD continues to talk with the City Manager about alternatives for the 5 town drop off when the Vergennes drop-off center closes at the end of the year.
- Energy Planning items update – Cheryl informed the Commission that the Regional Energy Plan has been approved. They are currently reviewing their goals and policies in light of the new plan. She also noted that Adam would help us with the review of the energy section of the MDP. He is also still looking for grants for the next round of funding to increase the support the ACRPC can provide.
No new business was discussed.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Peter Garon, Clerk