7 June 2006 | Approved: 5 July 2006
Commissioner Bob Evans called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. In attendance were Commissioners Darrell Anderson, Peggy Ebner and Bud O’Connor. Also in attendance were town residents Georgette Cole, Christiana Figueres and builder Chris Tschida.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes for April and May were approved.
Town Meeting – Yearly Summary
The commissioners discussed items for the Planning Commission’s report for the annual Town Meeting. Darrell Anderson wrote a report that all the commissioners agreed was a thorough account of the year’s actions and goals. They also discussed some HPC issues that would need to be reported through the PC such as mansionization and the Town survey conducted by the HPC.
Master Plan Revision
The commissioners reported that several of them (Peggy Ebner and Bud O’Connor) had been contacted by Charlie Challstrom regarding working on sub-committees for the Master Plan Revision. Bob Evans suggested that it would be more effective if the commissioners worked on the sections that they had already been revising for the PC so that they could use the research and expertise they had already developed. The commissioners have been working on the following sections of the Master Plan for the PC: Bud O’Connor-1 & 2, Bob Evans-3, John McClelland-4 & 5, Darrell Anderson- 6 & 7, Peggy Ebner – 8, 9 & 10. Bud O’Connor will email Charlie Challstrom with the suggestion. Bud O’Connor and Darrell Anderson summarized their suggested changes to their Master Plan sections.
Building Permits
Christiana Figueres brought drawings of a renovation for 206 Grove Avenue. The Commissioners reviewed the plans and instructed the owner to submit a completed application and more accurate drawings including building height to the Town Clerk. They informed the applicant that the completed application would be submitted first to the HPC and then the PC could consider the permit.
Report from Town Council
Darrell Anderson reported that Town attorney Bill Roberts submitted his written response to the Council as to the legal issues regarding the annexation of the Harrison property. He reports that with our current zoning, it could be difficult to subdivide the property into more than three lots. However, he suggests that the Town could try to zone the property RR-4 cluster and possibly get four lots approved. Darrell pointed out that it is a difficult situation because without a specific subdivision plan, the Town can’t really make a written zoning commitment. And without a zoning commitment, it is difficult for the Harrisons to find a buyer. The commissioners agreed that the PC ‘s recommendation should be for the Town Council to inform the Harrisons that the Town is ready to proceed with the annexation of the property with the RR-4 cluster zoning, leaving the issue of layout of lots and consequently the number of houses which can be built to a later time when a full site plan is submitted. The commissioners also discussed the ability of the Town to influence the style and size of homes that would be built. The idea of moving Railroad Street beside the railroad tracks to make the subdivision more a part of the Grove was enthusiastically discussed. Darrell pointed out that it would be costly for the County to move the road for such a small subdivision. Georgette Cole suggested that the County had already embraced the idea in their Humpback Bridge plan. Darrell pointed out that the County would like to have Oakmont go over the whole area and close Railroad completely.
Missy Yachup – Secretary
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.