OFFICE OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION / ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES – DRAFT
September 8, 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), Matt Gancz (MG), and Elijah Summers (ES). Bill Pusey (BP) was absent. Jessica Cooney-PCZBA Secretary was also in attendance. Attending online was Joshua Drinkard, Saraswati Khalsa, and Jon Hurdle – Reporter (Deerfield Vallery News).
CHANGES AND/OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
None
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES:
The Board approved the minutes from August 11, 2026 without corrections. (TF made the motion, 2nd by ES – all ayes).
OLD BUSINESS:
TF stated that the Town Plan Draft has been sent out to everyone including abutting towns, Windham Regional Commission (WRC) and Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). It is also up on the Town’s website for all to review. The public hearing notice for the Town Plan Draft has been posted with the October 13, 2026 meeting date. TF will reach out to Linda Lyons about the Front Page Forum (FPF) email newsletter. Any feedback will be made note of and brought up at the hearing.
NEW BUSINESS:
John Drinkard and Saraswati Khalsa stated that they were working to rectify their Zoning violations. They have been in contact with the State (Jeff Svec) and with Halifax’s Zoning Administrator, Kyle Farnsworth. They have submitted a Right-Of-Way (ROW) to the Selectboard and are looking to contact someone for wastewater design on the property. Their next step would be a building permit and TF stated that the Board would be available for any questions.
TF came to Board with the Municipal Planning Grant whose Municipal Resolution form had been signed by the Selectboard. TF requested the Board’s endorsement to apply for the grant through a Motion. The Board approved the request to apply. (MG made the motion, 2nd by ES – 3 ayes, TF sustained) The signed application will be sent to Matt Bachler (WRC) to help work on the Zoning Regulations update. MG wondered what the amount would be and TF stated that he will come back with the full budget (possibly $10-15,000) of which the Town will pay 10% if said grant is obtained. ES asked of the expected timeline for the updated Zoning Regulations and TF believes that it will be for 2028 Town Meeting.
HEARING OF VISITORS:
Jon Hurdle from Deerfield Valley News stated he did put the story out about the Selectboard meeting and the updates to the Town Plan.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM. (TF made motion to adjourn – 2nd by NM – all ayes)
YOUTUBE recording link: https://youtu.be/Gelxigq1j9I
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessica Cooney, Secretary to the PCZBA
