Introductions:

Commission members present were Bruce Cox, Michael Todd, Ed Williams, Alan Hudson, Gil Whittemore, Julia Lloyd Wright (ex-officio), and deForest Bearse (Land Use Administrator).

The audience member present was Peter Korbet.

Chairman Bruce Cox opened the meeting at 7:00.

I. Approval of Minutes: Meetings of October 4, 2010

Alan Hudson made a motion to approve the minutes of October 4, 2010 with corrections. Michael Todd seconded it. All were unanimous to approve the minutes as corrected.

II. Review Meeting Agenda - additions, corrections

Bruce Cox notified that effective today, Peter Daniels has submitted his resignation from the Planning Commission. The Commission thanks him for his years of service to the Commission.

Bruce Cox has a temporary position that will keep him from attending the meeting on October 28, 2010.

Bruce Cox stated that Mr. Mungeon contacted him about the meeting on the October 25th only discussed the plan for a meeting on October 28th. Michael Todd was also contacted by Edward May about moving the meeting and nothing else. Alan Hudson said that Mr. Mungeon called him too about the meeting date .

Julia Lloyd Wright mentioned how Commission members should read their e-mails before they send them out to members.

III. Public Hearings: None

IV. Requests/Reviews: None

V. Discussions:
A. Bylaw/Regulation Revisions-None

B. Town Plan Revisions
(a) Transportation chapter
deForest Bearse gave the Commission members a copy of the traffic report from SWCRPC. There is nothing in the report for the Center Road, Baltimore Road, Wellwood Orchards Road, or Route 131. Their predictions for traffic are for 2009 with a 20 year projection. deForest Bearse asked the Commission members to look over the layout of the report, the information in it, anything missing, etc.
The Commission looked over the report page by page. On page 1, the Commission said that the text adds up to 130 miles and the table adds up to 106. deForest Bearse will check on this. The trails number needs to be an accurate number.
On page 2, AADT should be defined. There needs to be a note where Table 2 will be, if it is not sequentially following the other tables. On page 3, there needs to be a definition for collector roads which could be put on the maps. There were other minor wording changes on pages 3 to 5. On page 4, the Select Board has chosen some ancient roads which are now on the Town Highway map. Some of the Crown Point Road is on the National Historic Registry. Markers 10 and 11 that are located on the Army Corp property are on the National Registry.
Peter Korbet stated that Airport Road is a Class II road and should be included at the top of page 5. Airport Road is a hot topic with the Select Board.
The Commission discussed page 6, Table 8 needs to be identified here. On page 7, text paragraph needs to be put after Table 8. On page 8, incorporate transportation part of Exit 8 Interchange Plan. On page 11, the "t" needs to be capitalized in VTrans. On page 12, there were some minor wording changes in regards to municipal public transportation. The Commission discussed how there are changes by legislation in regards to school busing. By 2012 busing will be by the supervisory union. The Commission will delete parts A, B, and D. C should say something about increasing availability of public transportation and park and ride access. The Commission will discuss recommendations at their next meeting.
Peter Korbet asked if there was a heading for the chart on page 10. The Commission said it was continued from page 9. Peter Korbet believes that there should be bicycle and pedestrian facilities which there are none at this time, except for the lane going to the old school from Perkinsville village. There was support for sidewalks in Perkinsville. The previous town manager insisted it was going to be a maintenance expense. There was some support in Ascutney, but it came down to a dollar amount issue. The Town missed an opportunity to have sidewalks on Schoolhouse Road when the new school was built. There is keen interest in a bikeway along Route 106 and 131 which could be long range planning. The Commission mentioned how there was limited support for sidewalks from the surveys that they did. Some of the surveys said that bike paths were important. Peter Korbet said that it is a recommendation in #K. It is an opportunity to get State funding when rebuilding roads. The Commission will add this as a recommendation.
The Commission discussed Section 6.11. Ed Williams stated that he would like a special meeting in Perkinsville to discuss the Historic Preservation on the school and store in Perkinsville. The language and decision will have impact on the village. The Commission should have input from people there. Bruce Cox asked what other sections have State Historic Preservation. deForest Bearse said that the Proctor Library, Center Church, Ascutney Church, Dan Foster House, District 1 School in Perkinsville, 1879 School Building, Crown Point Military Road markers, Upper Falls Covered Bridge, and the Perkinsville Grange. Bruce Cox stated that it is difficult to dictate what can happen to a building that is within 300 feet. The Commission cannot just do it because it is one building in that location.
deForest Bearse stated that it is too vague of a setback. She wanted to know what matters most to be protected. Is it about the size or shape of the building? Peter Korbet said that the State is out there to help. There is design review which talks about Historic Districts. Ed Williams said that the Commission does not want to do a Historic District. We do not want to not allow people to do things. deForest Bearse said that there is a Weathersfield Historic District. It is defined on the National Registry. Gil Whittemore said it gives the landowner the opportunity to put their property on the registry. Peter Korbet asked the Commission if they are saying that all development would require a conditional use. A small enterprise has gone to conditional use.
Ed Williams said that the problem is that if it is conditional use, we need to define character of the area. If it gets to the Zoning Board and they do not like it, it will not get approved. He believes that sometime the Commission needs to do criteria for approving conditional use.
Michael Todd asked if 300 feet is appropriate in a village compared to a center. It is possible to have different setbacks for different areas. There are multiple interpretations. Peter Korbet said that there are historic spots throughout the Town. There are principal permitted uses in those districts. Single family to two family homes would be conditional use, if they were in the district. deForest Bearse said that there are other things that are in conditional use, such as, deeryards, protected soil, etc. The Commission feels that it should be put on the agenda for their meeting on November 15, 2010.

(b) Maps

VI. Public Comment:

VII. Wrap-up: debrief issues addressed and input given

VIII. Set or reinforce the agenda, date, time, and place for the next meeting
The Commission will discuss the transportation chapter and the grant for the maps.

IX. Adjournment:
Ed Williams made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 PM. Alan Hudson seconded it. All were unanimous to adjourn.

Respectfully submitted,

Diana Day