OFFICE OF THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Town of Halifax, Vermont
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING MINUTES–DRAFT
January 12, 2021
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Planning Commission members Turner Lewis, Bill Pusey, Kaitlin Stone, and Tommy Fox attended. Jason Ashcroft was unable to attend. Tina Blais, Paul Blais also attended.
Changes and Additions to Agenda
None.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Fox made a motion to approve the November 20, 2020 regular meeting minutes as written. Stone seconded the motion, which passed 3-0 with Pusey abstaining.
Lewis made a motion to approve the December 8, 2020 hearing minutes as written; Fox seconded the motion, which passed 4-0.
New Business
None.
Old Business
None.
Other Business
None.
Hearing of Visitors
Phil Savoy, a consulting engineer phoned in to discuss a non-conforming subdivision on Brook road at the old Perna house. He states his client bought the property without knowing the town bylaws. He would like to subdivide the 5.5+/- acre lot into two lots. Lot 1 would be the house site at roughly 3+/- acres on the Branch Road side. The second lot would be 2+/- acres with only 218 feet of road frontage on Hubbard Hill Road. His client bought the property with the intent of building a house on the second lot and selling it. Savoy stated that his main purpose to attend the meeting was to find out if it was worth filing the appropriate paperwork for a subdivision variance. He also states that they realize the land is very steep and not the greatest for building but they think if they go in from an angle they would be able to make it work. The house would be a one-family, 3-bedroom house with a walk out basement. Stone asked for clarification as to the location. P. Blais explained that it was the property previously owned by the Pernas on Branch Road. Stone asked where the driveway would be on Branch Road, or Hubbard Hill. Savoy responded that the driveway would be on Hubbard Hill. Savoy asked for opinions from the board as to whether it would be worth going forward with their plans. Lewis stated that the board had a similar situation last month and the board felt that it was in the town’s best interest to stick with the town bylaws. Pusey agrees pointing out that there are two marks against the proposed subdivision with the 2-acre parcel and the 218 feet of road frontage. He states that if it had one or the other they may have been able to work with it but having two issues he does not see how it could all work. Fox asked what would be the impact to the house that would be below the new parcel on Branch Road owned by the Fairbanks. Fox does not think it is an ideal situation and not a good idea to move forward. Stone suggested moving acreage from the Branch Road side to the Hubbard Hill side but then states that that would not be possible because you would still have a non-conforming lot. Lewis states that he thinks it would have a very slim chance of passing. Savoy states that he understands and thanks the board for their time. Stone points out that that house is a duplex and maybe they can do something with that. Savoy will pass on the information to his client.
Fox makes a motion to adjourn; Pusey seconds the motion, which passes 4-0.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tina Blais
Zoning Board of Adjustment Secretary