OFFICE OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION / ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES – DRAFT
February 10, 2026
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Tom Fox (TF) called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM. Other board members present were Nancy McCrea (NM), Elijah Summers (ES) <7:13 PM>, and Bill Pusey (BP) <via Zoom>. Matt Gancz (MG) was absent. Jessica Cooney-PCZBA Secretary, Stephan Chait, and Mary Brewster were also in attendance. Attending online was Edee Edwards.
CHANGES AND/OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
TF added the Town Plan data sharing Webinar “Knowledge Bites: Data Resources for Your Town or Community Projects” on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 12-12:45pm from BDCC. Link for more information and to register for the zoom link: https://brattleborodevelopment.com/event/kb-data-resources/
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES:
The Board approved the minutes from 01/10/2026 without corrections. (TF made the motion, 2nd by NM – all ayes)
NEW BUSINESS:
Short-Term Rentals on Conservation sanctioned land in town are being discussed as to whether or not they are allowed. The Board is having conversations around digging deeper into the matter, along with speaking with the town lawyer on details. Halifax Zoning Regulations: Article 3 Zoning Districts, Section 304 – #8 were reviewed along with State definitions and regulations. Questions were raised as the possibility of the town developing an ordinance and what language is needed. TF will reach out to the Town Lawyer, Bob Fisher, for clarity.
OLD BUSINESS:
A revision of the Zoning Permit Application Form was reviewed with Lister, Mary Brewster and Jessica Cooney. All changes looked good and a printout will be presented for final approval.
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. Next work meeting is cancelled due to a conflict with Town’s Informational Meeting therefore the Board will continue during next regular meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 and a work meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, both at 7pm.
HEARING OF VISITORS:
Stephan Chait reviewed items to be checked or corrected under the Natural Resources Uses and Conservation sections in the Town Plan. He also informed the Board about funding available for services needed for developing the new Town Plan.
Edee Edwards added some talking points and data for the Town Plan.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 8:04 PM. (TF made motion to adjourn, 2nd by ES – all ayes)
YOUTUBE recording link: https://youtu.be/VJQWKL3WyEk
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessica Cooney, Secretary to the PCZBA
