Charlotte Planning Commission

Minutes of Meeting of

April 17, 2003

Charlotte Town Hall – 159 Ferry Road

Town Office – (802) 425-3533

 

 

 

Members Present:     Jeff McDonald, Chair

                                    Linda Radimer

                                    Gene Diou

                                    Al Moraska

                                    Gordon Troy

           

Members Absent:      Jim Donovan

                                   

Officials Present:       Dean Bloch

 

Public Present:           Stephen C. Brooks

                                    Sylvia Sprigg

                                    Ellie Russell

                                    Edd Merritt

                                    Dorothy Wallace

                                    Jim Sector

                                    Catherine Hughes

                                    Toby Goldsmith/Lee Weissman

 

 

Chair Jeff McDonald called the meeting to order at 7:18 p.m.

 

APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA AND REGULAR AGENDA (Nothing on Consent Agenda). 

 

Mr. Bloch said that there are budget issues which need to be discussed, as well as a draft letter to the Vermont Land Trust.  Mr. McDonald said that these items will be added to the end of the agenda and everyone agreed. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

           

None

 

 

 

MINUTES:  January 2, February 20, March 6, March 20, April 3

 

January 2, 2003 -   Linda Radimer moved to accept the minutes with the changes discussed and Mr. Diou seconded the motion.  All were in favor and the minutes were approved with the changes noted. 

 

February 20, 2003 -   Ms. Radimer moved to accept the minutes with the changes discussed and Mr. Moraska seconded the motion.  All were in favor and the minutes were approved with the changes noted.

 

March 20, 2003 – Mr. Troy moved to accept the minutes and Mr. Diou seconded the motion.  All were in favor and the minutes were approved.

 

POINT BAY MARINA, INC.:  SKETCH PLAN REVIEW FOR SITE PLAN AMENDMENT TO EXPAND PARKING LOT AND BOAT STORAGE AT EXISTING MARINA.  PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1401 THOMPSONS POINT ROAD IN THE DISTRICT.

 

Stephen Gretowski, Yard Manager at Point Bay Marina, addressed the PC.  It was noted that this property is located in the shoreland district.  Mr. Gretowski gave a brief history of this application stating that there was a site visit on November 11, 2002 with Tom Mansfield, Steve Hannah, engineer for Lakes & Ponds for the State of Vermont, Mike Adams with the Army Corps of Engineers and Luther Kenney, engineer for Phelps Engineering.  They did a walk of the whole facility (expansions, additions and upgrading) and Point Bay has applied for permits with everyone to date.  He said Point Bay is waiting for the State of Vermont to give him a ruling on the proposed storage yard.  He has had permits from the State of Vermont, Lakes & Ponds in January and applied then to Charlotte for the ramp upgrade and yard expansion.  He showed the proposed changes on maps to the PC noting the existing area and where the upgrade would be and the ramp and proposed storage area.    He said that it has an existing gravel ramp, which he would turn into a cement beam ramp; no removal of vegetation/shoreline structure.  It will not be any wider than it is now.  It is a permanent ramp and stays there all year.  There is no dredging planned; there is plenty of depth.   They will be extending the dock on each end 4 feet. 

 

He spoke of the proposed storage yard and how it is needed to store trailer boats.  Mr. Moraska asked the location and Mr. Gretowski showed on the drawing where the existing space was ( .51 acres) and that stormwater discharge regulations triggered the 1 acre rule. There is no lighting proposed.  He explained where the drive would be coming and also noted that an existing swale conforms to the profile of the swale which is a gravel bottom.  Mr. Troy noted, and expressed concern for, the roadway coming into the marina; it is a dangerous road and drivers do not heed to the 35 mph speed limit.  There is no increase in traffic issue because Mr. Gretowski said that most of the boats come to them and they are put in once a year and the rest of the boats people store because they don’t have storage at home.  He said that the number of boats that are stored is 1/3 more than the number of boats that they dock.  He explained that there are 22 slips; 13 were slips that were placed in 1997; they were moved in a negotiation process with CLF and  Point Bay Marina.  Mr. Moraska asked there was a drainage system in place for the runoff from the parking area and the boat storage area.  Mr. Gretowski showed it on the map.  Mr. Moraska asked if it goes toward the lake and Mr. Gretowski said no and he showed the culvert that drains into the old yard and it goes into the ditch along the building; it is reverted to swale on the west side of the property and eventually the swale goes into the lake.   He showed the swale area on the sketch.   

 

Mr. McDonald said that, because it is a sketch plan and according to zoning bylaws and standards for reviewing, the PC needs to confirm whether Point Bay will be adding any additional traffic. Mr. Gretowski said that it would not.  There is no proposed change to circulation as a result of this, Mr. McDonald reiterated.  Mr. Gretowski said that they have received wastewater approval permit for the project.  The permit has been filed with the Town Clerk, as well as the project review sheet for Act 250.  Mr. Troy asked about the progress of the Act 250 process.  Mr. Gretowski said that they only need to satisfy two more things with the State and the Army Corps of Engineers; they revolve around archaeological assessment.  Art Cohn wrote a letter last fall and he will be checking the whole channel again this spring. Charles Knight from UVM performed a preliminary site visit, which is required by the Army Corps of Engineers.    Mr. Gretowski said that if anything is found, it will not be disturbed.  He also said that during the public hearing process, landowners were notified and the hearing was positive.

 

Mr. McDonald said that the final site plan had to be warned; however, when he comes in with the final site plan, it may be approved with conditions if there are any issues outstanding. 

 

Mr. Troy asked if the site could be staked out before the site visit and Mr. Gretowski agreed to do so.   Mr. Gretowski asked if the drawing he presented tonight would be sufficient or is there something more needed for the site plan.  The PC decided that the documents presented tonight were sufficient and Mr. Gretowski does not have to revise the documents.

 

Mr. McDonald asked for comments from public.  There were none.   Mr. Bloch said if Mr. Gretowski would come in the following day and apply for the site plan review, the next available agenda date is July 3, 2003.

 

JOHN AND DRU OREN d/b/a VERMONT OPTECHS INC. (applicant), LEWIS CREEK ASSOCIATES (property owner):  SKETCH PLAN REVIEW FOR SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF A BUSINSESS OFFICE.  PROPERTY LOCATED ON FERRY ROAD IN THE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.

 

 

 

Dorothy Wallace, real estate agent, Jim Sector, real estate representing the Orens and John Keirnan addressed the PC on this matter.  Dorothy Wallace explained that there is a 6-plus acre parcel behind the Charlotte Family Health Center, which is in the Village District so it can be used for residential as well as office space.  She said that the Orens have a business that they would like to relocate there; they repair microscopes – they are proposing to put their office space in a building that is a house with a barn. They are presently in Charlotte behind the Creamy Stand in the warehouse building and are a low-key operation.

 

She said that the plan the PC has in front of them shows the proposed building behind the health center and when the submission was done by Charlotte Family Health Center, they needed to upgrade their septic system to meet current state regulations.  According to their subdivision approval, they need to relocate their septic system at the time the property is sold.  On the plan is a septic system for Lot 2, which the Orens are purchasing, as well as a septic system for the health center.     The Orens business employs 1 1/3 employees. Mr. Sector said that Dru Oren contacted the State and the State has no questions or issues with this.

 

Ms. Wallace said that, according to the approval, Lewis Creek Associates (LCA) has divided off the 6.5 acre lot and she showed on the drawing where the proposed right-of-way was.  Mr. Sector said that the Orens agree that most of the trees should be preserved and that he has walked with the Gills (neighbor) and Orens and the largest trees are on the border of their property and the rest is small brush which is grown over.  

 

Mr. Sector showed on the sketch, and passed out copies, of a proposed landscaping plan.  Mr. Moraska asked how wide the driveway is and Mr. Sector said it is 40 feet.  Mr. Bloch explained that this application is before the PC even though it is a single lot, because it is a permitted use and he read that “under site plan review, Section 6.5, any use other than single or 2-family dwelling home occupation, accessory uses, accessory apartments or agricultural operation requires site plan approval by the Planning Commission before the administrative officer may issue a permit.”   This is sketch plan review; no fee is paid and it is an opportunity for applicants to talk with the PC, he explained.  

 

Mr. McDonald asked any one present who wanted to, to come up and look at the plans.  John Kiernan explained the drawing and said that originally it was permitted for a 4-bedroom house but how permitting has changed to permit a barn with a 4-bedroom apartment and office space. 

 

Katherine Hughes expressed her concern as a neighbor saying that the replacement area is not far from her house and noting that the original test pits were on her property line.  She said that her concern and request is that the cutting of trees be minimized.  Mr. Sector said that the Orens have no intention of disturbing anything.  Ms. Hughes said that Mrs. Gill was grateful to not cut many trees as well  

 

A question about traffic and landscape was posed.  Because of the size of microscopes, no big trucks were expected to visit, just Fed Ex, for instance.   Ms. Hughes also requested that if there were outdoor lighting proposed, that it aim downward instead of up. 

 

Ms. Wallace asked the PC what it needed from them from this sketch plan review.  Mr. McDonald said that if there are no major changes or anything being opposed, but requests have been made to preserve screening, downcast lighting and preserve hedgerows when constructing the access road. Mr. Bloch said the right-of-way is 40 feet because it is the village district, but the driveway is less than that.  Mr. McDonald said that the PC would be looking for a plan profile for that section of road.  Ms. Wallace said that the plan is to stay out of the wooded area.  Mr. Moraska asked where the drainage runs and Mr. Sector showed it on the sketch plan (it is under the road and drains north). 

 

Mr. Sector asked what the PC required regarding the road.  Mr. McDonald said that drainage is an issue and what can be preserved and what can be taken out without too much problem in terms of vegetation of trees and hedgerow is important.  Mr. Sector said that the only trees worth preserving are major trees, which are substantial and the rest is brush.  Mr. Bloch asked if, in the worst case scenario they can’t protect some of what’s there, is the applicant proposing to plant varieties that are habitat species?  Mr. Sector said yes. 

 

Mr. McDonald said that the PC does not need a profile, but does need a site plan of the road and they would want a site visit.  Mr. Sector asked the time line.  Mr. McDonald said that they would do the site visit as a group at 6:00 p.m. on May 1 before the next meeting. Ms. Wallace asked if one of them should be there and Mr. McDonald said that it would be helpful.   Mr. Sector clarified that the site plan application will be filed (it can be filed before the site visit); once submitted, a hearing will be warned.  He asked if the site plan was sufficient for the road; Mr. McDonald said the site plan was fine for the site, but one needs to be done for the road as well and that the PC will be looking for thelocation and any culvert, etc. that may be necessary.

 

There was a discussion of what needed to be filed and it was decided that the current schematic may be used without filing an additional drawing as long as it showed the planned driveway location.

 

Mr. Troy asked about elevation drawings and Mr. Sector said they should be completed for the site plan review.

 

 

DISCUSSION APPEAL OF ACT 250 PERMIT FOR WIZN/ CHARLOTTE FIRE AND RESCUE TOWER ON PEASE MOUNTAIN:  DOES THE PLANNING COMMISSION WANT TO PARTICIPATE SEPARATELY FROM THE TOWN?

 

 

 

The PC deliberated on this issue.  Mr. McDonald said that the PC position is that it will participate with the Town.

 

BUDGET ISSUES

 

Mr. Bloch explained that the Charlotte Conservation Committee (CCC) has been working on a map entitled “Natural Cultural Features,” which they will be presenting June 17th.

The issue is a $60 bill which they are asking the PC to pay.   The PC agreed that they would pay it but that the issue is one of process.  In the future, Mr. McDonald said, it would be appreciated if they were notified in advance.

 

Mr. Bloch said that the CCC is also wondering about advocating for doing either a PC and/or consultant fly-over.   Ms. Radimer asked if we had all the orthos that the PC needed.  Mr. Bloch said that it would just be for people and not for taking pictures.  Mr. McDonald said that since they had just completed the Tour de Charlotte, his concern would be the consultants’ time and if it would be worth it.  He also said that if anyone wants to do it, it would have to be privately funded.

 

VERMONT LAND TRUST LETTER

 

Mr. Moraska asked whether the PC would want to consider preserving the spot of commercial area next to the railway station (directly west from the entrance to the railway station).  Mr. Troy noted that it is very wet there and on the other side of the road is a beaver pond.  He also suggested being more emphatic about the PC’s support in the letter. Mr. Moraska said he approves of the letter as it is.  Mr. Troy proposed stating that it is a good investment for the Vermont Land Trust because it keeps a very important area along Ferry Road open.  Ms. Radimer added that it is a major linkage of critical wildlife habitat, and possesses scenic and pastoral recreational value.  Mr. Bloch will revise the letter accordingly.

 

ADJOURN

 

Mr. Moraska moved to adjourn the meeting and Mr. Diou seconded.  All were in favor and the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m. 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Kimberly Johnson

 

 

 

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