Planning Commission debates pros and cons of Development Review Board
Since spring, municipal boards, including both the Selectboard and Zoning Board, have debated about forming a Development Review Board for the town.
Since spring, municipal boards, including both the Selectboard and Zoning Board, have debated about forming a Development Review Board for the town.
In a unanimous vote, the Planning Commission conditionally approved the final site plan submitted by the Vermont Commons School to build an outdoor education center at 2369 Spear Street, but forest and wetlands on the 53-acre parcel must remain untouched, the July 29 decision read.
The planning commission has conditionally approved Charlotte Family Health Center’s controversial application for a mixed-use facility at 251 Ferry Road.
The Selectboard’s community discussion on a potential re-organization of the Town’s Planning and Zoning processes was well attended by members of the Selectboard, Planning Commission (PC) and Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA), with a few “plain old” citizens attending as well.
The Planning Commission meeting on the 15th was supposed to cover a proposed sketch plan, but once again got sidetracked with talks of the proposed Charlotte Family Health Center.
As the meeting opened to comments from the public, neighbors of the proposed health center site, Jeanne and René Kaczka-Valliere, took the chance to raise personal objections. Commission chair, Peter Joslin, stated that comments about the health center would not factor into deliberation saying, “the health center is not on the agenda and the hearing is closed, so we’re not taking any testimony on the health center.” Jeanne rebutted, “we understand the hearing is closed, we would just like to take an opportunity to address the board regarding the health center.”
At the joint ZBA and Planning Commission meeting on June 3, the boards discussed a proposal to build a new Charlotte Family Health Center.
The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on May 20 to consider a permit application for a four-lot subdivision and Planned Residential Development (PRD) on a 20-acre property at 4035 Mt. Philo Road. The property is in a protected wildlife corridor between Pease Mountain and Mt. Philo. The site is near the intersection with Stockbridge Road.
At its May 6 meeting, Planning Commission members were treated to a seminar on community outreach by Ravi Venkataraman, Richmond town planner. Richmond and Charlotte share similarities and differences.
I must admit that when I drew the assignment to cover the April 28 joint Zoning Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission meeting on the proposed Community Health Center facility in the West Village, I was not excited.
The Charlotte Planning Commission was fortunate to have Marty Illick as a member for nearly a decade.
At its April 15 meeting, the Planning Commission reviewed the Smart Growth standards that the state, regions and towns across Vermont have adopted.
The April 1 Planning Commission meeting focused on a process for the next round of amendments to the Land Use Regulations. This process is required because of the mixed results of Town Meeting Day votes.
It’s the biggest topic of the year—you’ve read about it in the paper for months, you’ve been to the Planning Commission Meetings, seen the Front Porch Forum posts, and read varying opinions in letters to the editor.
At Town Meeting, Charlotte residents are being asked to vote on a set of proposed updates to the Town Plan and Land Use Regulations.
Charlotte Crossings was back in front of the Planning Commission on Nov. 19 for a site plan review/amendment for the property on Route 7 south of the Ferry Road intersection. Property owners Mike Dunbar and Debra Kassabian, through their business Gemini Properties, LLC, have been trying for months to create an acceptable parking lot for the building.
The Oct. 1 Charlotte Planning Commission meeting started with confusion and contention, partly due to the perpetual challenges of holding municipal meetings via Zoom video call and partly because of another conflict of interest allegation against Planning Commission member Bill Stuono—this time by a meeting attendee.
Tonight’s Oct. 15 Planning Commission meeting includes some major town planning issues, including continued public discussion of the draft Land Use Regulations, including more talk about the East Charlotte Village Commercial District, a sketch plan review of the Charlotte Family Health Center project in the works for Ferry Road in the West Village, and a 23-acre solar array project that is proposed at 2257 Lake Road, which is owned by Michael and Margaret Russell.
The Planning Commission held a special meeting Sept. 24 to mark up and approve a final draft of the Charlotte Land Use Regulations amendments. The purpose of the meeting wasn’t to develop policy, which has been in progress for the last year, but rather to identify and clarify any outstanding gray areas in language or policy.
The Charlotte Planning Commission spent over two and a half hours last Thursday going over the finer points and specific language of proposed amendments to town Land Use Regulations. Marty Illick, a member
The Charlotte Planning and Zoning Office staff want to make sure residents know that we are open for business and reviewing and administering municipal permit applications.