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 January 2 Planning Commission meeting moved the vote on the next steps for East Charlotte village incrementally closer. The commission largely agreed on the proposed village commercial boundaries as presented by Vice Chair Charlie Pughe in an updated map. Members discussed adjusting the boundary line on Hinesburg Road to the middle of the right of way, similar to the proposed boundary line on Spear Street. Member Marty Illick preferred the consistency, “in terms of planning for utilities in the future.”
During the Nov. 21 Planning Commission meeting, the commission again took up three recurring topics: Act 143 as applied to land use regulations, boundaries in the East Charlotte village and updates to driveway standards.
The Town of Charlotte has a long history supporting agriculture and attracting residents who value a working landscape. Throughout our state, farms provide numerous services in their communities: fresh food, jobs, diverse small businesses and open landscapes, as well as a range of ecosystem services from water quality to wildlife habitat, healthy soils and the mitigation of climate change. And yet, farming in Vermont is endangered: The state has lost approximately 10 percent of its farms every year for the last five years.
The Thursday September 5 Planning Commission agenda featured only two items and four members: a sketch plan review and a discussion about updating the 1997 driveway construction standards. The commission deferred a joint discussion with the Selectboard about Act 143 and the Charlotte Land Use Regulations concerning agricultural businesses to Sept. 19 because two members of the Selectboard were not able to attend the Sept. 5 meeting, though representatives from Philo Ridge Farm did appear for the discussion and provided written input to the board before departing.
The August 1 Planning Commission meeting agenda was a continuation of several topics from recent meetings: Act 143 and accessory on-farm businesses and the East Charlotte Village (ECV) district boundaries. The commission also introduced its newest commission member, James Faulkner.
CBD is all the rage these days—you can’t swing a hoe in the grocery store without hitting ice cream, pet treats or body lotion with cannabidiol oil in it. All that CDB has to come from somewhere, and those with the hoes are making it happen in Charlotte.
The Monday, July 7 Selectboard featured a full, albeit routine agenda, including a presentation from the outgoing zoning administrator on accessory agricultural uses and Act 143.