OFFICE OF THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
TOWN OF HALIFAX
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTES – DRAFT
March 11, 2025
Chairman Tom Fox opened the public meeting to consider the Tristan Roberts Conditional Use permit request at 6:34 PM. Other Planning Commissioners present were William Pusey, Kaitlin Stone, Matt Gancz, & Eli Summers. Tina Blais, Kyle Farnsworth, Tristan Roberts, Alison Crossley, Robert Strowe, Ana Fischer, Jennie Strowe, Karin Larkin, Rhonda Ashcraft, Thomas Fischer, Stephan Chait, Bettye Roberts, Nancy McCrea, & Diana Conway were also present.
Fox read the Conditional Use hearing notice into record.
Tristan Roberts of 1015 Thurber Road, Halifax has submitted an application for conditional use of property located at 1015 Thurber Road in the Town of Halifax. The proposed project describes as follows, making an overnight camping operation of a small number of campsites around the farm in dispersed locations. Minimal services will be offered. “Pack in/pack out.” Will use existing farm infrastructure. The Town of Halifax Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on this application on March 11, 2025. There will be a hearing at 6:30 PM at the Halifax Town Office conference room located at 246 Branch Road.
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/bkf-opnq-smz
Or dial: (US) +1 443-584-5004 PIN: 345 881 362#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/bkf-opnq-smz?pin=9772408003897
A copy of the application and additional information can be obtained at the Halifax Town Office, Halifax, Vermont.
Pursuant to 24 V.S.A. 4464(a)(1)(c), participation in this local proceeding is a prerequisite to the right to take any subsequent appeal.
Dated at Halifax, Vermont this day of February 21, 2025.
Fox then asked Roberts to explain what he had planned for the campground.
Roberts explained his plans would include four camp sites, three for tent camping and one site for RV’s or other vehicles that people wished to sleep in. He states that the sites are very primitive, just areas that have been mowed. He also would have a carry in, carry out rule for trash and human waste.
Pusey asked how many acres the campground would include. 262 replied Roberts.
Thomas Fischer stated that he had concerns about the amount of sites, whether or not Roberts has a state permit, campers going on his/other people’s property and whether or not he was renting his cabins out as well.
McCrea had some concerns as well. She believes that there are five campsites not four, she also thinks that the camping has been going on since April of 2024, and has witnesses people on their property looking at their horses and taking pictures of her on her porch. She states that she believes that people should be allowed to do what they wish on their property but it must be done legally and respectfully. Being a land abutter she would like to have a gate across the road that would not be locked so people would be more aware of other people’s property and signage placed to reduce the campers on her property. McCrea also asked about Act 250 and about Halifax being a 1 acre town. Fox did not have an answer for he but said he would look into it and get back to her.
Jenny Strowe asked if Roberts will have more than three sites, whether he will be renting out cabins and is there’s a time limit as to how many days campers can stay.
Chait is wondering if any of the sites are on Current Use acreage or in a Land Trust.
Roberts has concerns about whether there will be out houses or porta potties.
Pusey asked how long he had been renting campsites out.
Roberts answered he has 4 acres and a contiguous parcel totaling 258 acres. The three tent sites are on the 4 acre parcel while the RV site is on the additional acreage. He would like to allow the campers to hike on and enjoy all 258 acres.
Yes most of his acres are in Current Use. He has no plans to expand the number of campsites. Roberts also states that he has been camping and allowing friends to camp on the property since 2005. He states he did not realize he was running a campground. Roberts also stated that he has a web page and advertises in forums such as Hipcamp and Woof.
Roberts states that he has no problem putting up signage.
Fox brought up the state and town regulations on waste water and how many camp sites you can have per acreage, for a certain amount of time.
*this was a lengthy conversation, if you are interested please listen to the recording of the meeting*
Fox made a motion to recess so research could be done on Current Use, Land Trusts, State and Town regulations regarding campgrounds. Discussion and decision to be made on April 8th, 2025. Pusey seconded. Motion passed 4-1.
The hearing adjourned at 7:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted by:
Tina Blais
Zoning Board of Adjustment, Secretary