APPROVED 8-19-04
CHARLOTTE PLANNING
COMMISSION
Thursday, July 29, 2004
7:00 P.M.
Charlotte Town Hall – 159 Ferry Road
Members Present:
Jim Donovan
Jeff McDonald, Chair
Al Moraska
Linda Radimer
Gordon Troy
Robin Pierce
Members Absent:
John
Owen
Staff:
Dean Bloch (Town Planner)
Kim Johnson (minute recorder)
Others:
Trafton & Laura Crandall
Linda Hamilton
Chair McDonald called the
meeting to order at 6:56 p.m., noting that the PC had just returned from a site
visit to the Crandall property at 343 Orchard Road. Present at the site visit
were: Jeff McDonald, Al Moraska, Linda Radimer, Gordon Troy, Robin Pierce, Dean
Bloch, Trafton & Laura Crandall.
Chair McDonald asked for any
changes to the agenda. There were none.
None.
Trafton
M. and Laura L. Crandall: continuation
of hearing for Subdivision Modification to change the boundary-line between
Lots 1 and 2, and Subdivision Amendment to review Lot 1 as a building lot. Property located on Orchard Road in the
Rural District.
There was a general discussion of the site visit. Mr. Troy
suggested: 1) building envelope should be smaller; 2) should be some clear
limitations as to how much area could be mowed (landscape v. field) because of
the impact of fertilizers; and 3) situate the house closer to Orchard Road. Dr.
Moraska said that they can move the house location within that building
envelope. Laura Crandall said that they have to leave space for people to put a
barn if they want to encourage agricultural use. Mr. Bloch said that the septic
is farther away from there, so a well could be adjusted. Mr. Crandall said that
they have to find water. They have to place a well on the plans as part of
their project application to the Town and State. Mr. Pierce said that he would
like to see that building envelopes moved north closer to the road. Mr. Crandall said that there is a 100-foot
setback to the road and they can’t come any closer. Mr. McDonald said that there is a prime agricultural soil line
there, so they need to not encroach on that. Mr. Pierce suggested shrinking the
building envelopes. Ms. Radimer said that it would be nice to maintain largest
grassy area for the animals to use. She suggested trying to shift the building
envelope and turning so it would not be as long, but it would be wider.
Dr. Moraska said that
wetlands would be valued more than agricultural soil because the amount of
agricultural soil for farming use is limited. Mr. Donovan said that 20-25 foot
setback line which Mr. Crandall had marked out on the sketch plan seemed to
work and then move north. Mr. McDonald asked the Crandalls if these ideas were
acceptable to them and if so, they can then deliberate. The Crandalls said that they are o.k. with
them, but they want to keep the same square footage. Laura Crandall said that
they are also trying to keep the viewshed unimpaired. Mr. Donovan said that the
PC has a 35-foot height restriction on buildings – measured from grade when the
building is done. The concern would be how the Crandalls would feel if someone
came in at a future time and build up ten feet and then started their house
resulting in a structure sticking up too far. The Crandalls said that when sell
they won’t let someone build an inappropriate house. Mr. Donovan said that a
plan could be worked out to: 1) protect wildlife and 2) protect visual
concerns.
Mr. Donovan made a motion to close this
hearing. Dr. Moraska seconded the motion. All were in favor and the motion was
unanimously PASSED.
WORK SESSION ON LAND-USE REGULATIONS
ADJOURN
O:\Planning
Commission\Minutes\2004\July 29.doc