City of Newport
Planning Commission
2008
Meeting Minutes
NEWPORT CITY PLANNING COMMISSION *** MINUTES *** SEPT 9, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Elliott, Gerry Coulombe, Rosemary Rowe, Clark Curtis,
MEMBERS ABSENT: Paul Chandler
OTHERS PRESENT: Paul Dreher, Carl Davis, Stephanie Bowen & Paul Denton
7:04 pm.: Chairman Charlie Elliott called the meeting to order. Charlie Elliot made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 26, 2008 meeting. APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
7:15 pm Clark Curtis asks new ZA (Paul Dreher) to assist in duties as PC clerk, new ZA agrees.
Items I, J, N of City Plan reviewed---ZA to provide Rosemary w/NC Health Care facility paperwork/application for inclusion in Appendix I.
Other Business:
Transitional Housing Bylaw: Paul
Denton submitted and read aloud letter dated 9.9.08 regarding transitional
housing and required distances from other city uses and also other
transitional homes (see letter).Revised/updated definition of Transitional
Housing required.
Carl Davis and Stephanie Bowen discussed transitional housing.
Motion to table agenda items 2 & 3 until the next meeting by Gerry Coulombe. Seconded by Clark Curtis. APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION
9:50 pm.: Upon a motion by Rosemary Rowe and seconded by Gerry Coulombe the meeting was adjourned. APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
Minutes by Clark Curtis & Paul Dreher
NEWPORT CITY PLANNING COMMISSION *** MINUTES *** AUGUST 26, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Elliott, Gerry Coulombe, Rosemary Rowe, Clark Curtis, Paul Chandler.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
OTHERS PRESENT: None.
7:15 p.m.: Chairman Charlie Elliott called the meeting to order. Gerry Coulombe made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 12 and August 18, 2008 meetings with the following corrections for August 12th. Charles Elliott was not absent but recused himself for a conflict of interest and deletes his name from the list of those absent. The motion was seconded by Rosemary Rowe. APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The completed Bylaw Amendment reports were reviewed.
Items 3 and 4 on the agenda were tabled until the next meeting.
The Supreme Court Decision on Existing Small Lots was discussed.
Clark Curtis passed out the Newport City Planning Commission Policy Regarding Participation at Act 250 Hearings as a Statutory Party. A motion was made by Gerry Coulombe and seconded by Rosemary Rowe to include this policy in the Rules of Procedure. APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
Clark Curtis attended the Act 250 Hearing for Kingdom Come Kingdom Go & Territory Sand 7 Gravel project as an observer and gave a report on his attendance to the commission. There were no major concerns with the testimony given that night.
Clark Curtis reported that the application for the Planning Grant regarding the rewrite of the City Plan would be discussed with the new zoning administrator in the near future as the deadline is fast approaching. It was determined that this should be a high priority for the new Zoning Administrator to pursue.
Paul Chandler passed out the definition of Artery which is as follows: A Street or Road in the City that is heavily traveled into and/or out of a neighborhood within the City or the City as a whole. This will be added to the Bylaw Changes.
Clark Curtis made a motion to accept the definition of Artery and to add it to the list of Bylaw changes awaiting a public hearing. Seconded by Rosemary Rowe. APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
8:50 p.m.: Upon a motion by Gerry Coulombe and seconded by Rosemary Rowe the meeting was adjourned. APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The minutes were taken and typed by Rosemary Rowe.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Elliott, Paul Chandler, Gerry Coulombe, Clark Curtis, Rosemary Rowe.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Kelley.
7:05 p.m.: Vice Chairman Paul Chandler called the meeting to order. Rosemary Rowe made a motion to approve the minutes to the last meeting (Jul 8) with the correction that Paul Chandler made the motion to adjourn, not Clark Curtis. Seconded by Gerry Coulombe. APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS DECISION.
Clark Curtis made a motion to skip to #3 on the agenda, waivers. Seconded by Gerry Coulombe. APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS DECISION.
Chairman Charlie Elliott arrived as discussion was beginning on waivers. The draft prepared by ZA Bob Kelley was reviewed and a few changes were made. The final draft for a bylaw amendment reads:
Waivers: Where renovation, expansion or new construction is proposed for a residential structure on a nonconforming lot, a waiver of up to 40% of the setback distance (e.g., a 30 ft. setback may be reduced by up to 12 ft.) may be approved by the Development Review Board if the following standards are satisfied:
1. The proposal shall meet all conditional use criteria. As a condition of approval, the Board may require the mitigation of impacts to adjoining properties and uses through building design, layout, landscaping or screening.
2. The new or renovated part of the building is needed to accomplish the intended goal (an expanded, improved entry deck, for example).
3. The result shall improve the property and the neighborhood.
4. It is helpful or necessary to allow for continued reasonable use of the property.
5. The proposed work or construction shall not encroach any more than necessary to accomplish the desired results.
Any reduction of setback standards beyond 40% may only be granted in accordance with variance standards.
It is also proposed to add the following definition to the bylaw.
Waiver – Permission to depart from the design standards in the bylaw.
A report will need to be made for the proposed waiver amendments.
Transitional housing was discussed and a draft proposal for a bylaw amendment by Paul Chandler was reviewed. It was felt that transitional housing could be added as a conditional use in all zoning districts. The draft amendment was modified to read:
No transitional housing unit shall be located within 1500 feet of another transitional housing unit. No transitional housing unit shall be located within 1500 feet of a school. Transitional housing units that pre-date this bylaw are exempted from this provision, but no new units may be permitted that do not comply with the distance requirements of this bylaw.
Definition: Transitional Housing - Housing units throughout the City which provide temporary living quarters for up to 5 non-related adult individuals who are making a transition to a permanent domicile. Occupants fall under 3 main categories: individuals transitioning from incarceration to permanent residency, individuals who are categorized as homeless, and mothers with infant children [who shall not be considered as part of the 5 numbered above] transitioning into permanent residency. Temporary shall be interpreted as a period of time that is less than 12 months.
The commission will continue review of transitional housing at their next meeting.
Planning Commission participation at Act 250 hearings was discussed and a draft policy by Paul Chandler was reviewed. It is intended to amend their Rules of Procedure sometime in the future. In the mean time Rosemary Rowe made a motion to adopt the following policy in regard to Commission members’ participation at Act 250 hearings:
Planning Commission [PC] members are formed as a committee of the whole for the purpose of attendance and testifying at Act 250 hearings. Any member attending a hearing shall not testify on behalf of the PC without prior authorization to do so. When a member is required by the Act 250 District Commission to state their area of interest, the response shall be general in nature, such as "Any criterion affecting the City of Newport's Plan and Zoning Bylaws" should be the blanket statement used at that time. Any members of the PC attending an Act 250 hearing as a part of the committee of the whole shall report back to the commission at the next regularly scheduled meeting. Should the PC wish to issue a statement or give direction to any member attending subsequent Act 250 hearings on the same matter, it shall be spelled out in the minutes and shall be interpreted as authorization to act on behalf of the PC.
Seconded by Clark Curtis. APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The Commission quickly reviewed draft sections of the City Plan.
Other Business: The pending departure of the ZA was discussed and the Commission was very concerned that the City will only have a ZA for 1 day a week for the next month or more. This will affect their progress in working on the City Plan and Bylaw amendments. They feel that the City Council should consider appointing an acting ZA ASAP to fill in until a permanent ZA is found.
The Commission was recently given a copy of the proposed Capital Budget and will be reviewing it at their next meeting on Aug 5th.
Items to be included on their next agenda are review of: Bylaw amendments, Capital Budget, and City Plan.
9:45 p.m.: Upon a motion by Paul Chandler, seconded by Gerry Coulombe, the meeting was adjourned. APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The minutes were taken by Bob Kelley and filed for the record on 7/24/08.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Elliott, Paul Chandler, Gerry Coulombe, Clark Curtis, Rosemary Rowe.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Kelley.
7:10 p.m.: Chairman Charlie Elliott called the meeting to order. Clark Curtis made a motion to approve the minutes to the last meeting (Jun 17) as written. Seconded by Rosemary Rowe. APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The Commission reviewed drafts of the City Plan. Drafts of appendixes A, B, F, G, and N were reviewed and minor changes were made. The Commission’s goal is to have the Plan ready for public hearings by January 2009.
Their next meeting will be July 22nd.
The Commission discussed party status for Act 250 permits. Attendance at some of the upcoming hearings may be of interest to PC members. The Planning Commission is considered a statutory party in the Act 250 proceedings. The Commission will think about what kind of authority they should be giving individual members for Act 250 hearings and discuss it further at their next meeting.
9:25 p.m.: Upon a motion by Clark Curtis Paul Chandler, seconded by Rosemary Rowe, the meeting was adjourned. APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The minutes were taken by Bob Kelley and filed for the record on 7/10/08.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Elliott, Paul Chandler, Gerry Coulombe, Clark Curtis, Rosemary Rowe.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Kelley.
7:15 p.m.: Chairman Charlie Elliott called the meeting to order. Clark Curtis made a motion to approve the minutes to the last meeting (May 20) with one grammatical correction. Seconded by Rosemary Rowe. APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The Commission began review of the City Plan. Drafts of the Libraries and Schools sections by Rosemary Rowe and the Current Land Use section by Paul Chandler were reviewed. Other sections were discussed and it was decided to meet on July 8th to continue review of the Plan.
Waivers were discussed and provisions in other town’s bylaws were reviewed. It was decided that they would like to try to limit the use of waivers to nonconforming lots and Bob Kelley will draft waiver language for the Commission to review by the middle of July.
Transitional housing was discussed and the Commission feels there is a need to address this in the Bylaw. It was felt that all communities should be responsible for transitional housing and without regulations Newport would end up shouldering most of the burden because we are the Center for most of the services. Further discussion on this issue will be scheduled later in July.
9:30 p.m.: Upon a motion by Rosemary Rowe, seconded by Paul Chandler, the meeting was adjourned. APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The minutes were taken by Bob Kelley and filed for the record on 6/18/08.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Elliott, Paul Chandler, Gerry Coulombe, Clark Curtis, Rosemary Rowe.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Bob Kelley.
7:30 p.m.: Chairman Charlie Elliott called the meeting to order. Paul Chandler made a motion to approve the minutes to the last meeting (Apr 29) as written. Seconded by Clark Curtis. APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The Commission began review of the draft reports for proposed bylaw amendments. The reports were fine, but they decided to add “All buildings are limited to a maximum height of 72 ft for fire protection reasons.” to the proposed definition of Building Height. This was added so that in the future it would be known where the 72 ft limit came from. Paul Chandler mad a motion to approve the proposed amendments and reports for a future public hearing. Seconded by Rosemary Rowe. APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS DECISION.
No public hearing date was set at this time. Because of the cost involved in warning public hearings, the Commission would like to compile additional amendments before warning a public hearing.
The Commission began reviewing the City Plan. Each member selected sections that they would work on. The goal is for each member to have a rough draft of one of the sections they chose completed by June 17th. Copies of the current Plan will be copied onto CD’s and given to each member.
Other business: Next meeting date is set for June 17th. Items on the agenda will include review of City Plan and discussion of Waivers.
9:15 p.m.: Upon a motion by Paul Chandler, seconded by Gerry Coulombe, the meeting was adjourned. APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The minutes were taken by Bob Kelley and filed for the record on 5/23/08.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Elliott, Paul Chandler, Gerry Coulombe, Clark Curtis, Rosemary Rowe.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Patricia Sears, Bob Kelley.
7:08 p.m.: Chairman Charlie Elliott called the meeting to order. Paul Chandler made a motion to approve the minutes to the last meeting (Apr 1) as written. Seconded by Rosemary Rowe. APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The Commission reviewed a draft of proposed changes to building height limits and changing the measurement to the highest point of the roof. A few minor changes were made the Commission agreed with the proposed changes. For their next meeting the ZA will draft reports to go along with these changes for the Commission to review.
Lot coverage was discussed and the Commission agreed on a proposed amendment to increase the maximum coverage in the Public Health/Office district from 25% to 30%. For their next meeting the ZA will draft a report to go along with this change for the Commission to review.
The number of copies required to be submitted with application needing DRB review was discussed. It was agreed to propose an amendment requiring one original and 7 full size copies be submitted. For their next meeting the ZA will draft a report to go along with this change for the Commission to review.
Trish Sears stopped by and gave the Commission a very brief overview of the recent Newport City Market Analyses done by UVM Extension.
The need to begin work on revising the City Plan was discussed and it was decided to devote the majority of their next meeting to the City Plan. Charlie Elliott will work on roughing out a schedule and needed changes.
9:00 p.m.: Upon a motion by Rosemary Rowe, seconded by Clark Curtis, the meeting was adjourned. APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The minutes were taken by Bob Kelley and filed for the record on 04/17/08.
NEWPORT CITY PLANNING
COMMISSION ***MINUTES*** April 1, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Elliott, Gerry Coulombe, Clark Curtis, Rosemary Rowe.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Paul Chandler.
OTHERS PRESENT: Chris Roy, Paul Monette, Frank Knoll.
7:08 p.m.: Chairman Charlie Elliott called the meeting to order. Gerry Coulombe made a motion to approve the minutes to the last meeting (Mar 18) as written. Seconded by Clark Curtis. APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS DECISION.
Discussion began on building height. It was felt that because the Fire Department can only reach up to 72 ft that they should change the building height maximum to 72 ft for appropriate districts. The measurement should be to the peak, not half way between the eave and the peak as it is now. They will ask the ZA to draft appropriate language to accomplish this change to review at their next meeting.
Discussion began on drafts for Junk Yard ordinances, what to do and what direction to go. It was decided that more research needs to be done on this in order to create an ordinance. They will ask the ZA to pass along Randolph and Cavendish Junk Yard ordinance for their review to the council.
Discussion began on Waivers, the language of what it is and what is needed. They will ask the ZA to revisit this issue on the listserve and get back to them with possible draft language.
Discussion began on Lot Coverage Ratio. The hospital was discussed and the Public Health /Office zone was the only district discussed that the Commission feel needs to be changed. This issue will be revisited. They will ask the ZA to listserve this to see what other communities have for Public Health lot coverage.
Other Business: Frank Knoll and Paul Monette questioned what the Commission has done on a design review district. The Commission state that nothing has been done as of yet. Discussion began on language that needs to be created to implement this for the downtown. Mr. Knoll and Mr. Monette will come back in two weeks with another report for the Commission.
Section 505.05 and 606.01 should be amended to include the requirement that 10 full size sets of maps, etc... needs to be submitted for applications requiring site plan review. Clark Curtis will draft an amendment to accomplish this for the Commission to review.
Clark Curtis reported that the Fire Chief had contacted him and told him that he had talked with Paul Ciroot from Labor and Industry and that he has no experience with the issue of gasoline stations and the distances to adjoining properties.
The Derby Planning Commission has been busy with their town plan and would like to wait until around July before having another joint meeting with Newport.
The following
officers of the Commission were elected for this year.
Charlie Elliott as chair. Motion by Clark Curtis, seconded by Rosemary Rowe.
APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
Paul Chandler as vice chair. Motion by Clark Curtis, seconded by Rosemary Rowe.
APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
Clark Curtis as clerk. Motion by Rosemary Rowe, seconded by Gerry Coulombe.
APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
Next meeting will be April 15, 2008.
9:10 p.m.: Upon a
motion by Rosemary Rowe, seconded by Gerry Coulombe, the meeting was adjourned.
APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The minutes were taken by Clark Curtis and filed for the record on 4/11/08.
NEWPORT CITY PLANNING
COMMISSION ***MINUTES*** March 18, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Elliott, Paul Chandler, Gerry Coulombe, Clark Curtis,
Rosemary Rowe.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Paul Denton, Paul Monette, Bob Kelley.
7:05 p.m.: Chairman Charlie Elliott called the meeting to order. Clark Curtis made a motion to approve the minutes to the last meeting (Feb 26) as written. Seconded by Rosemary Rowe. APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS DECISION.
Clark Curtis had to leave to attend a deliberative session of the DRB.
Discussion began on Transitional/Community Housing. Paul Denton explained that here in Newport they have a homeless shelter for up to 5 people with the average stay of 2-3 weeks and a transitional house for the Department of Corrections for up to 5 people with a maximum stay of 6 months. Transitional/Community Housing includes Homeless Shelters, Transitional Housing for the Corrections Department, and Housing for Battered women. Mr. Denton felt that the Corrections Department is going to require more transitional housing in the future and it is something that needs to be dealt with. He would like to see the homeless shelter be permitted to have up to 8 people. Mr. Monette had concerns that these services should be spread out to all the area communities. He is concerned that more properties in Newport will become tax exempt. Charlie Elliott summarized the different transitional/community housing to be 1) homeless shelters, 2) corrections department transitional housing, and 3) shelters for battered women.
Concerns that need to be taken into account in regulating these types of uses include; limit on the size of the house (number of occupants); cap on the number allowed in the City; specific distance between houses; the need to encourage other communities to also supply these services; recognition that transportation may be an issue if located in other communities; and the effect on Newport's tax base if these properties become tax exempt. No action was taken.
Waiver provisions were discussed and no action was taken.
Junk yards were discussed. It was felt that a City Ordinance would be the best route to go from an enforcement point of view. The commission would create a draft to pass on to the City Council. No action was taken.
Next meeting will be on April 1st and items to be discussed will be Building Heights, Draft for Junk Yards, Waivers, and Coverage Ratio.
9:15 p.m.: Upon a
motion by Paul Chandler, seconded by Gerry Coulombe, the meeting was adjourned.
APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The minutes were taken by Bob Kelley and filed for the record on 3/24/08.
NEWPORT CITY PLANNING
COMMISSION ***MINUTES*** February 26, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Elliott, Gerry Coulombe, Clark Curtis, Rosemary Rowe.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Paul Chandler.
OTHERS PRESENT: Chris Roy, Bob Kelley.
7:05 p.m.: Chairman Charlie Elliott called the meeting to order. Clark Curtis made a motion to approve the minutes to the last meeting (Feb 12) amended to include communications discussion with the Fire Chief in which the Chief stated that communications for the Fire Department are excellent. Seconded by Rosemary Rowe. APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The commission discussed junk vehicles/yards and decided that a municipal ordinance would be the best way to address this issue. Charlie Elliott will bring this up with the City Council. The commission will wait to hear from the Council on what direction to take.
It was felt that amending the bylaw to include waiver provisions should be a priority item for the commission, it will be on their agenda for their next meeting which will be March 18th. Other items requested to be on the agenda are junkyards and community/transitional housing (Paul Denton).
8:45 p.m.: Upon a
motion by Rosemary Rowe, seconded by Gerry Coulombe, the meeting was adjourned.
APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The minutes were taken by Bob Kelley and filed for the record on3/5/08.
NEWPORT CITY PLANNING
COMMISSION ***MINUTES*** February 12, 2008 as amended
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Elliott, Gerry Coulombe, Clark Curtis, Rosemary Rowe.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Paul Chandler.
OTHERS PRESENT: Fire Chief Eric Degre, Paul Curtis, ZA Bob Kelley.
7:05 p.m.: Chairman Charlie Elliott called the meeting to order. Clark Curtis made a motion to approve the minutes to the last meeting (Jan 29) with a minor grammatical correction. Seconded by Rosemary Rowe. APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The Commission
discussed bylaw issues with Fire Chief Eric Degre.
Building height - The ladder truck can reach a maximum of 72 feet to safely get
a fireman on the roof of a building in the event that it is necessary to cut a
hole in the roof to vent a fire during an emergency. The Chief feels that should
be the maximum building height. The formula for measuring building height should
be reviewed.
Gas Stations - The bylaw requires a 300 ft separation between gas stations and
schools, churches or libraries. The Chief does not have the expertise to advise
the Commission on this issue and suggested that the State Fire Marshall be
contacted. The Chief's offer to contact the Fire Marshall was accepted and he
will pass along whatever information that he gets.
Fire Lanes - The State has regulations on fire lanes that the Fire Marshall is
responsible for. It was felt that this issue is best left to the State and not
our local bylaw.
Electrical Service - Charlie Elliott asked if it would be beneficial to the Fire
Department if all new construction were required to have underground electrical
service. The Chief said it would be very beneficial as overhead wires are one of
their biggest obstacles when fighting a fire.
Communications - The Chief stated that communications for the Fire Department
are excellent.
The Commission thanked the Chief for meeting with them and then moved on to
other bylaw issues.
Because the City does
not have the capability of coping large site plans it was suggested that the
number of copies the applicant has to submit should be amended.
It was questioned if Paul Denton NEKCA was going to be at a meeting to discuss
homeless shelters and transitional housing. Bob Kelley will check into it.
The Commission reiterated that there is an open invitation to Great Auk Wireless
to come in and talk to the Commission about wireless internet regulations. Bob
Kelley has emailed Greg Noble of Great Auk and is awaiting a reply on when he
would like to come talk to the Commission.
Charlie Elliott asked that junk yards be on their next agenda.
9:00 p.m.: Upon a
motion by Rosemary Rowe, seconded by Gerry Coulombe, the meeting was adjourned.
APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The minutes were taken by Bob Kelley and filed for the record on 2/14/08.
NEWPORT CITY PLANNING COMMISSION ***MINUTES*** January 29, 2008 as amended
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Charles Elliott, Gerry Coulombe, Rosemary Rowe, Clark Curtis.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Paul Chandler.
OTHERS PRESENT: Paul Monette, Ellwood Guyette, Robin Smith, Frank Knoll, Olivia
Beleau.
7:05 p.m. Chairman Charles Elliott called the meeting to order. Gerry Coulombe made a motion to approve the minutes to the last meeting of January 15, 2008 as written, seconded by Clark Curtis. The minutes were approved by a unanimous decision by the members present.
Discussion began on the pros and cons of developing a Design Review District. Mr. Monette, Mr. Guyette, and Mr. Knoll were representing the Downtown Renaissance Corp. They said that the City now has the distinction of being a Designated Downtown. There are benefits to owners of the buildings in the Downtown area such as tax credits, grants for elevators, grants for sprinkler systems etc. The Renaissance Corp. is considering if a Design Review District is necessary. Items of concern were that if this district were created such things like facades, streetscape, color schemes, historic architecture etc. would or could be incorporated into the Bylaw so that all buildings in this district would have to follow the same criteria. It was decided that if a Design Review District was created an applicant for a Zoning permit would not have an additional step to go through such as Design Review Board; they would only need to go in front of the Newport City Development Review Board. The Renaissance Corp. will be applying to the American Institute of Architects sometime in February that would have the City studied to come up with a master plan of the area. Only four communities a year are picked nationwide for this award. Cities across the country compete to be studied, there is no charge for the study if awarded, but the City would be responsible for the expenses that could total $30,000.00. It was agreed that the Design Committee should work very closely with the Planning Commission to come up with standards for a Design Review District. The Design Committee will stay in contact with the Planning Commission.
Olivia Beleau representing Gilman Housing explained that because of the Designated Downtown status, they recently received a grant of $200,000.00 for the proposed addition of another floor on top of the existing Passumpsic Bank building on Main Street. The new upper level will be for elderly housing which the Commission feels is an asset to have in the downtown area. Gilman Housing will soon be applying for the local permits for this project.
It was felt by all members of the Commission that a Design Review District could benefit the City as a whole, we will wait for more input from those present tonight before proceeding with this issue. The only negative brought up was that the area of a Design Review District would be regulated more heavily than other areas.
The next meeting of The Commission will be on Tuesday February 12, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. The Newport City Fire Chief will be present and on the agenda as well as possible Bylaw amendments. The following meeting will be on February 26, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. The Commission will discuss on the 12th items that need to be on the agenda for the 26th.
8:55 p.m.: Upon a motion by Gerry Coulombe and
seconded by Rosemary Rowe, the meeting was adjourned. Approved by a unanimous
decision among the members present.
The minutes were taken by Clark Curtis and filed for the record on 2/6/08
2/13/08.
PLANNING COMMISSION
***MINUTES*** January 15, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT: Charlie Elliott, Paul Chandler, Gerry Coulombe, Clark Curtis.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Rosemary Rowe.
OTHERS PRESENT: None.
7:00 p.m.: Chairman Charlie Elliott called the meeting to order. Gerry Coulombe made a motion to approve the minutes to the last meeting (Dec 18) as written. Seconded by Paul Chandler. APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS DECISION.
Discussion began about designated downtown and the future planning needs for the waterfront plaza area. Possible bylaw amendments were discussed and prioritized. The number one priority is to meet with the Downtown Design Review group. Other priority items include; Building height max in all zones; the need for the fire chief to visit the commission; the Newport-Derby areas of common development; and the need for two or three meetings a year with the Derby Planning Commission.
9:05 p.m.: Upon a
motion by Paul Chandler, seconded by Gerry Coulombe, the meeting was adjourned.
APPROVED BY A UNANIMOUS DECISION.
The minutes were taken by Clark Curtis and filed for the record on 1/17/08.
2007 Planning Commission Minutes