OFFICE OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION / ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES – DRAFT
July 14, 2026
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Tom Fox (TF) called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM. Other board members present were Nancy McCrea (NM), Matt Gancz (MG), and Elijah Summers (ES) <7:07 PM>. Bill Pusey (BP) was absent. Jessica Cooney-PCZBA Secretary, Karen Christofferson, and Stephan Chait were also in attendance. Attending online was Linda Lyon.
CHANGES AND/OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
None
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES:
The Board approved the minutes from June 12, 2026 without corrections. (TF made the motion, 2nd by MG – all ayes).
OLD BUSINESS:
TF reviewed all suggested changes made by Matt Bachler/Windham Regional Commission (WRC) after reviewing the most recent Town Plan First Draft.
TF went through the Halifax Town Plan’s response to Vermont’s Planning Goals by summing up references. Recently received updated maps from WRC will be added also. Final review of rough draft (proofreading, etc.) will hopefully be done next month. If so, the Town Plan’s August draft will then be sent to surrounding towns with a notification for a public hearing in September followed by a vote to send to Halifax’s Selectboard. (A digital Town Plan draft will be made available on Town’s website for August.)
Jessica Cooney asked if homeschool numbers would be included in the Education section of the Town Plan, sighting a previous question from Edee Edwards. MG said it should be left out while ES questioned if homeschoolers use Halifax’s facilities, maybe it should be included. MG left the question up the public and/or Halifax’s Schoolboard. TF stated changes can still be made to the Town Plan if a decision is not made this meeting.
Karen Christofferson to find out if the Selectboard knows information about the building being ADA compliant for the Town Plan. TF will also look into it and possibly check with the Schoolboard.
Board reviewed a few sections that needed a second look at the Town Plan and iron out any updates/changes, including gravel pits.
TF gave an update on Ruth and David Moore from last meeting. They are still working on septic designs for their possible new living situation.
NEW BUSINESS:
TF gave a heads up to the Board about the upcoming Boundary Line Adjustment Permit and stated that some questions would be deferred to the lawyer for clarity before the Hearing next month.
HEARING OF VISITORS:
Linda Lyon suggested outreach including a summary of Town Plan updates to create public interest. (Including Front Porch Forum and/or Deerfield Valley News).
Stephan Chait spoke about possibility of written comments/questions submitted before Town Plan September Hearing.
Karen Christofferson would like ‘data centers’ to be written into policies with defensive wording. She felt that being proactive with such things especially with the possibility of disruption to the Town’s rivers and water tables. MG stated this is the kind of thing that needs to be put into Zoning and Planning bylaws. TF said he would get some clarity on the subject from Matt Bachler/WRC.
Stephan Chait question if the Town Plan should also include the definitions and difference between “campgrounds” versus “campsites”.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 8:16 PM. (ES made motion to adjourn – 2nd by NM – all ayes)
YOUTUBE recording link: ???
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessica Cooney, Secretary to the PCZBA
