OFFICE OF THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

TOWN OF HALIFAX

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTES – DRAFT

July 30, 2025

Chairman Tom Fox opened the public meeting to consider the Eric Gura and Megan Essex Conditional Use permit request at 7:00 PM. Other Planning Commissioners present were, Matt Gancz, Eli Summers, and Nancy McCrea. William Pusey was not in attendance. Tina Blais, Kyle Farnsworth, Rhonda Ashcraft, Stephan Chait, Diana Conway, Blaise McGarvey, Diane Canalli, Stephen Barrows, Joseph & Kate Brown, David Ross, Daniel Lepkoff, & Eric Gura (attending by phone) were also present.

Fox read the Conditional Use hearing notice into record.

Eric Gura & Megan Essex of 10 Middle Street, Woods Hole MA has submitted an application for conditional use of property located at 491 Whitneyville Road in the Town of Halifax. The proposed project describes follows, to create a primitive campsite on former house site and apple orchard. It is currently woodland with central clearing an access to a log landing.

The Town of Halifax Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on this application on July 30, 2025. There will be a hearing at 7:00 PM at the Halifax Town Office conference room located at 246 Branch Road. 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 July 7, 2025.

 

 

 

 

Fox then asked Gura to explain what he had planned for the primitive campsite.

Gura explained that he wanted to have a primitive pack in pack out campsite for 12 nights a year to comply with the state of Vermont primitive camp site regulations.

Fox then opened the floor up for any land abutter questions, comments or concerns.

McGarvey stated that he had concerns as to whether the logging road that was leading to the camp site was partially on his property. Gura stated that he was not aware of that and that he would look into it. McGarvey also questioned the size of the RV’s that he would allow camping. Gura explained that the infrastructure of the site could easily hold up to a 50 foot RV with no weight issues while the roads were not posted for any weight restrictions. McGarvey asked if the site was going to be only 12 nights per year with only one group/family at a time. Gura responded yes that is what he is planning. McGarveys last question was does Gura plan on letting campers use the abutting land that he also owns for recreational use and hunting. Gura replied that yes he is as long as they ask for permission first.

Lepkoff asked why he wasn’t informed by certified letter because he was a land owner for the last CU permit Gura applied for. Fox explained that it was a different piece of land this time that he wasn’t an abutter to.

Chait had questions about who would be the ones to monitor the 12 night a year rule. Fox stated that it was not the business of the ZBA. Gura Stated that it would be the honor system and he did not want to do anything to upset his neighbors, he had no intention of not following the regulations set by the state.

McGarvey asked if he was going to register as a business entity and pay taxes on it. Gura states that he had not thought of that and he will look into it.

McCrea stated that she was approached by a neighbor who had questions about pack in and pack out. Was Gura going to have a porta potty and who would be monitoring the site for proper use? Gura stated that he does not intend to have a porta potty and that he has spoken with several neighbors who have agreed to monitor the site when Gura isn’t in town. Gura also states that he plans on establishing good relations with his campers and being very selective as he does not want any damage to come to the land.

Fox states that he has concerns of fire as the campsite is a ways out in the woods and not easily assessable. Gura states that there is a well on the site and that he would have strict rules about not having camp fires if the conditions are dry.

Gancz was wondering about the right of way concerns and if there were any set back regulations.

Summers stated that the definition of a primitive campsite is Preserve and Support.

Chait asked how many acres the campsite is on. 15 ac stated Gura.

Fox asked what Gura thought of being open from mid-May – October due to roads conditions in the winter and spring. Gura stated that he would rather not set time frames but go by the conditions of the roads and weather they were posted for weight limitations.

Chait asked if he planned on having RVs as well as tents be able to use the site. Gura responded yes.

Summers asked if Gura was going to limit the amount of vehicles per single party. Gura stated that he hadn’t considered it. There is plenty of room for parking at the log landing. Summers also asked if Gura was planning on allowing campers to hunt on the property. Gura said yes as long as they could prove they had a valid hunting license.

Gancz made a motion to allow Gura to operate a primitive campsite at 491 Whitneyville road 12 nights per year, one site, with one group/family occupying the site at a time. Summers seconded. Motion passed 4-0.

 

The hearing adjourned at 7:31 PM.

Respectfully submitted by:

Tina Blais

Zoning Board of Adjustment, Secretary