Town of Halifax, Vermont
PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
October 27, 2015
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:20 p.m. Planning Commission members Sirean LaFlamme, Bill Pusey, Brian McNeice, and Stephan Chait were present; Linda Lyon was unable to attend. Rick Gay was present for the first few minutes of the meeting, and Robbin Gabriel was present. There were no other visitors.
Changes and/or Additions to the Agenda
None.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
Sirean LaFlamme made a motion to approve the 8/25/15 special meeting minutes as written. Brian McNeice seconded the motion, which passed, 4-0.
New Business
Update of Zoning Regulations
The Planning Commission addressed a list of miscellaneous items still in need of review throughout the almost-completed zoning regulation text. Some of these were simple changes or additions to wording designed to clarify meaning for the reader. Zoning Administrator Rick Gay requested the creation of a separate form designed to be used when a resident requests renewal of an existing permit. A decision was made to include—in the final printed version of the regulations—the same set of town maps found in the Halifax Town Plan. The Commission also hopes to add a map indicating those areas in town particularly vulnerable to flooding. They discussed flood regulations and the possible inclusion of surface water protection standards similar to those found in Marlboro’s zoning regulations. The new definition for Earth and Mineral Extraction, and the revised definition of Resource Industry, have now been incorporated into the main text of the zoning document, as the Selectboard recently voted to put those proposed amendments before the voters at the 2016 Town Meeting, rather than hold a separate special election.
A collection of final questions will be forwarded to WRC’s John Bennett. The Planning Commission will meet again on November 10th; at that meeting they hope to set a date for the first public hearing on the revised zoning regulations.
Hearing of Visitors
None.
Old Business
None.
Other Business
None.
Adjournment
Bill Pusey made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:58 p.m. Stephan Chait seconded the motion, which passed, 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Robbin Gabriel
Interim Planning Commission Secretary