OFFICE OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION / ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES – DRAFT
March 10, 2026
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Tom Fox (TF) called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Other board members present were Nancy McCrea (NM), Bill Pusey (BP), Matt Gancz (MG), and Elijah Summers (ES) <7:34 PM>. Jessica Cooney-PCZBA Secretary, Stephan Chait were also in attendance. Attending online was Linda Lyon.
CHANGES AND/OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
NM added the Selectboard Special Meeting (which took place on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 4pm) discussion about Ethics Training and Public Records. Recording of the Selectboard Special Meeting YouTube link: https://youtu.be/IuFZ_in_p_U?si=R4yDOw_vD7lsaSBD
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES:
The Board approved the minutes from 02/10/2026 without corrections. (TF made the motion, 2nd by MG – all ayes)
NEW BUSINESS:
Jessica Cooney confirmed the Hearing of Conditional Use #26-2 will be scheduled with the Zoning Board of Adjustment for the next Regular Meeting on April 14, 2026.
NM shared that the Selectboard Special Meeting stated that requests for Public Records would go through the Halifax Town Clerk, Patty Dow, following the proper procedure. In addition, Ethics Training is available online for everyone to take at: https://ethicscommission.vermont.gov/training
OLD BUSINESS:
Another revision of the Zoning Permit Application Form was reviewed by the Board with minor tweaks to be made for final approval at next Regular Meeting.
TF confirmed with Town Lawyers that Short-Term Rentals on Conservation sanctioned land in town are permissible.
Board discussed each section of the Town Plan that is being worked on. New data and updated information have been researched and/or been added. ES brought up stepping forward with changes such as Town Municipal Solar. Public input is anticipated for the future. Forecast for completing the Town Plan is by June with a final draft being turned in by November 2026. Next work meeting is scheduled for March 24, 2026, at 7pm.
HEARING OF VISITORS:
Stephan Chait gave additional information as to the procedure of finalizing the Town Plan and offered his help with updating sections.
Linda Lyon agreed that moving forward with Town Plan should include actions actually being made. She also suggested using the emailed newsletter “Front Porch Forum” (FPF) to get information out to the public.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 8:25 PM. (TF made motion to adjourn)
YOUTUBE recording link: https://youtu.be/KhV7Ohxk91U
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessica Cooney, Secretary to the PCZBA
