CHARLOTTE PLANNING COMMISSION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1998 7:00 PM at Town Offices 453-3533 Members Present:Chairman Al Moraska Ed Melby Peter Kunin Jeff McDonaldSandy Mayo David Allen Dave Brown Planner Charlie Burnham Guests Signed In:Patricia O'Donnell Katya Podsiadlo Stuart Bennett Sue Moraska Gail Glance (Representing Charlotte Land Trust) 1. General Business: Minutes for February 3rd were read. A motion was corrected on page 2, and an addition was made to a sentence on page 3 for clarification. Ed Melby moved to approved minutes of February 3, 1998 with corrections, and David Allen seconded the motion. The motion was approved, 6-0 with Dave Brown abstaining, as he had not been present. 2. Trails Presentation: Patricia O'Donnell and Katya Podsiadlo, representing the firm, "Landscapes•La•Plan- ning•HP" of Charlotte, displayed several maps which they have produced with AUTOCAD, in layers. Each layer has features turned on or off which show the locations of present trails, and potential locations of possible future trails not only in Charlotte, but in a way that shows the connections to those in surrounding towns. Attention was given to equestrian trails as well as pedestrian and bicycle trails. They noted that those using the equestrian trails like to have linkages to unpaved roads, or soft shoulders on paved roads. These maps show how travel could flow in each direction, and even how the trails could connect to the bicycle trail around Lake Champlain. There might be a connection between the Ferry and an area such as Land Works. They suggest the types of trails could fall into 3 categories: 1) Families — recreation at low speeds 2) High speeds on paved surfaces 3) All-terrain — with rough terrain; maintenance is constantly needed on these, such a marking, moving, and repairing with erosion control incorporated in the larger picture. The maps identify neighborhood area hubs, and serve to provide an alternative to the automobile. Access points are shown, and there are 5 potential access points on Thompson's Point. In discussions it was observed that the Agency of Transportation is not encouraging any Trails-use of the agricultural crossings over the train tracks although the Town has paid for easements. We need to be flexible and work with conservation/ recreation/ wildlife groups, and all this needs to be incorporated in the updated Municipal Plan. "Where do we go from here?" Al asked. The Trails Coalition doesn't have another grant, Patricia said. They suggest that representatives from Conservation or Recreation form a working group endorsed under town guidance, and continue their work. Dave Brown cautioned that they should make sure these trails don't hurt the wildlife. Al said selectboards normally would appoint any new boards, but folks could ask Jesse Bradley of the town's recreation committee to make a proposal. These maps can be viewed in the Town Hall, and the computer disks are being given to the town for editing. They did not put topography on the maps, but they do show the wildlife corridors. 3. George and Claire Aube, Reaffirmation of Subdivision approval: This is at 1052 Carpenter Road. The commissioners reviewed letters between Planner Charlie Burnham and attorneys for the applicants, as well as the original approval motion. There were several conditions attached to the original motion and these were all met, all agreed. What had happened is that the attorneys, or the applicant, had brought all the required materials and the mylar to the Town Clerk instead of to the Planning and Zoning Office, and they didn't have the Planning Office stamp and signature. The Town Clerk's office received it and recorded that they had received it. Al Moraska moved to reaffirm the George and Claire Aube subdivision plat titled "Plat of Subdivision, Estate of Roland J. Aube, Carpenter Road, Charlotte, VT, prepared by A. W. Harris & Associates dated 3/5/92, last revised 1/18/96 and recorded in the Charlotte Land Records at Hanging Clip 1, Page 12. Peter Kunin seconded the motion and it was approved, 7-0. Al Moraska signed it. Gloria Warden will file the signed attachment to the plat. Mr. Aube is advised that the Planning Commission has no authority to waive the fee for this reaffirmation, but he is encouraged to ask the Selectboard for the waiver. 4. Champlain Town Exchange: While Al was signing the documents, Sandy Mayo announced plans in the works for a coalition of groups from Ferrisburgh, Shelburne, Charlotte, Hinesburg and Monkton who are part of a wildlife "tracking" project, to get together this coming summer and talk about their mapping projects, etc. They hope to have a group of at least 14 people from all these towns . The hardest part might only be to find a date that fits everyone's schedule. It is believed the group in Hinesburg is called Lewis Creek Association. Pete Aube is one of the people from Monkton. This is the group that brought John Ewing in last week, to speak about "sprawl." The next meeting is March 4th in Shelburne. 5. Luther and Elizabeth Bridgman, and Sara Bridgman, Sketch Plan Review — Boundary Adjustment: The properties are at 212 Wings Point Road, and at 136 Wings point Road. Stuart Bennett, Esq. represented the applicants. These lots are already developed. Stuart said that in 1979, the Bridgmans had approval to divide the land. Two lots had over 10 acres apiece. In a subsequent boundary adjustment of February, 1992, the right-of-way was given to the wrong property (Lot 2). They are taking the first portion of the right-of-way and putting it back where it originally belonged. This happened through 3 boundary adjustments in the past, without anyone noticing. Luther Bridgman created these among family lots, but it was never created by deed. Stuart explained the "ABC Exemption" of the law as it existed in 1979. If there is a single family living on a five acre lot, for example, and its water and sewer are working fine, with less than 200 gallons of use per day, they accept it as causing no potential problems. They can subdivide on less than 10 acres if everything functions alright. There is a simple form with which they can take care of that with the State. Al suggested that since this is an old subdivision, it should be viewed as a modification of a subdivision map. They had the original map, and maps from different surveyors. The two previous boundary adjustments should have been "subdivision modifications." Sandy Mayo moved to classify the application of Luther and Elizabeth Bridgman and Sara Bridgman as a Modification of a Subdivision. David Allen seconded the motion and the motion was approved, 7-0. 6. General Business: Charlie Burnham announced that the March 3rd meeting would have conflicted with Town Meeting Day. The Planning Commission meeting is rescheduled for 3-11-98 as a joint meeting between the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Adjustment, for the first hour of the meeting. Ken Sweetzer, who is the Zoning Administrator in Morristown, Vermont, will speak on the subject of a Development Review Board. Later, after the joint meeting, the Zoning Board of Adjustment will have a regular meeting for two warned items. Chris Davis has completed his manual on Fire Protection and Water Supply Planning. He has inventoried all the town's fire ponds, technical statistics, deficiencies in some farm ponds, and has compiled a list of hydrant needs. The document is in the Planning Office for viewing. The Selectboard is interested in acquiring some of the Old Lantern property. Earl Burns wants to sell some of the land to the town, according to minutes from their meeting. Apparently there may be an application coming up soon for perhaps three lots, and the main building will still stand, but otherwise there may be a possibility of having the land for water and septic for some of the municipal buildings. Al Moraska moved to have the meeting closed for deliberative session and close for the evening. (9:00 p.m.) Jeff McDonald seconded the motion and it was approved, 7-0. Submitted by Nancy Lane APPROVED BY THE CHARLOTTE PLANNING COMMISSION ON Chairman