OFFICE OF THE ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT

TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING MINUTES – DRAFT

October 8, 2024

CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Tommy Fox called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Other board members present were William Pusey, Kaitlin Stone, Eli Summers & Matt Gancz. Also in attendance, Tina Blais, Kyle Farnsworth, Williams Oglesby, Stephan Chait, Jason Hale, Dawn Evans, Nancy McCrea, Diana Conway, & Mary Brewster.

CHANGES AND/OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:

None

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES:

The Board approved the minutes from the July 9, 2024 minutes as written.

NEW BUSINESS:

The new business item that was discussed between the ZBA and Farnsworth, the ZA, was possible changes to Zoning permit application forms such as more information that would be helpful in giving more detail to those involved with the process to make the work flow easier and better understood. (Starting at the beginning of the recording.)

OLD BUSINESS:

Update on Tiny Houses  – Blais told the Board that she had learned at a Lister Training that there are new codes in the software that the Listers use that incorporate Tiny Houses and Air B&B’s so the ZBA doesn’t need to spend time with coming up with new Town Regulations on how they should be assessed for tax purposes. One of the Boards biggest concern is waste water and making sure that tiny houses are hooked up in an appropriate way to dispose of waste.  (Starting at Minute 6:00 on the recording.)

Update on Air B&B’s – a discussion on potential AIR B&B’s being in town districts where they are not allowed, where are they and what/how should the town deal with them took place between the ZBA and occupants in attendance. (Starting at minute 10:00 on the recording.)

Next the ZBA discussed revisiting the regulations on seasonal RVs and Multi house dwellings and rewording them for the Next update of the Town Regulations. (Starting at minute 17 on the recording.)

Farnsworth the towns Zoning Administrator brought up a possible RV in violation with its waste water not being taken care of appropriately and was looking for guidance from the ZBA. The board directed him to Call Sue Kelly the towns Health Officer and possible the state to get guidance on how to handle the situation. (Starting at minute 27:00 on the recording.) It was suggested that Sue Kelly get invited to a meeting for a Q & A session as to what to do in these situations.

High Lights of Attorney Bob Fishers talk on town trails on July 9, 2024 were discussed. Some of the topics that were talked about included;

Road frontage on a trail, can you subdivide on a town trail if that is the only road frontage, who would maintain the road, concerns about subdividing multiple times on a town trail with several driveways, land locked land on a trail, right of ways ect. (Starting at minute 31:50 on the recording.) Fox suggested asking Edee Edwards to come in and discuss what the Select Board has done. Gancz made a motion to have a discussion at their next meeting and come up with an outline of ideals or some kind of format that the ZBA can follow to take to the Select Board and discuss. Eli seconded. Motion passed 5-0.

HEARING OF VISITORS:

McCrea brought up a question pertaining to camp grounds and where they are allowed reading from the Zoning Regs and the Town Plan. (Starting at minute 45:00 on the recording.)

ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting adjourned at 7:52 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,

Tina Blais

Secretary to the ZBA