Thursday, September 4, 2008
Wade Trudel, Jim Foster, Gary Foster, Richard Bibber, Jack Goosetrey, Councilor Margaret Hutchins.
Doug Webster
Minutes:
The group had questions on any changes since the last meeting on particular areas. Doug Webster gave an overview of conditional uses such as accessory apartments and other items. There was also a discussion of site plans in relation to conditional and/or commercial use. He gave an example to help the group understand how it would be applied.
There were also questions on the minor development as the definitions do not appear to be the same in 401 and 402. Doug Webster indicated that they are somewhat consistent and Councilor Hutchins believes it says the same thing, but the wording is not word for word in each document.
1. Approval of meeting minutes
a. August 20, 2008 ORC minutes
Acceptance of the minutes tabled to the next meeting as not everyone had received a copy of the minutes.
2. Ordinances
There was an extensive discussion on what exactly happened to the work they have completed. The group believes that lack of feedback for their efforts has been discouraging. Councilor Hutchins indicated that all suggestions were reviewed and commented on and that some items could not be changed as they are law and George Thebarge sent an email responding to their suggestions. The group indicated that they did not receive them. Richard Bibber stated that copies were given at the Council meeting. Doug Webster indicated that this summary is an attempt to answer the questions. There are concerns that the Town’s input is not there. Doug commented that these are the types of comments the Council would look for, but to have specifics. Councilor Hutchins requested that if anyone in the group
has specific questions to email them to her and she will be certain to get them to George Thebarge and get the answers back to them. There was a discussion on the process for the Street Ordinance. Wade Trudel believes that the group’s effort was to try to understand and interpret the review documents and there was a discussion on what process the group attempted to do and what appeared to be lacking. He suggested that each person read and comment on their own time and then put them together (the group comes together to put a final report) for a summarization. He believes that the original premise was to simplify the documents to make it simpler for the average townsperson to understand the requirements. The group believes that it is not resulting in a simplified, objective document. They believe a simplified, objective document will result in a better process for everyone. There were questions about the future of this committee
and what goals the Council would like. There are concerns about how this may be progressing. There was an extensive discussion about who should review the Street Ordinance and what needs to be examined and the complexity in relation to the technical aspects and policy decisions.
There was an extensive discussion on various concerns and specific examples including aspects of Street Ordinance, peer review etc.
Wade Trudel asked Councilor Hutchins if it is more appropriate for each member of the committee to review the documents on their own and then submit a report. The group is willing to put in the time for a review, but are concerned that the end result will be ineffective and that the ORC is being bypassed. Jim Foster believes consultants and town employees are writing the ordinances. The ORC’s role has always been when problems arise they would be brought before this group to review and comment on. Councilor Hutchins believes that once these are finalized, that items will come back to them to comment and assist in tweaking the wording.
Jim Foster believes that this group should request that the process slow down.
a. Continue review of proposed Chapter 402 Zoning Ordinance revision*
*The above conversation occurred as the review began. The following review items were only discussed.
Article 3
The group has concerns about the Official Zoning Map as there has been confusion about the maps in the past.
Doug indicated that 402.3.4 is an attempt to clarify this.
b. Review a proposal to amend Chapter 401: The Gray Subdivision Ordinance and Chapter 402: The Gray Zoning Ordinance
The group was unable to review the amendments as the group had not received copies for the meeting.
3. Next meeting agenda
4. Other
5. Adjournment
Gary Foster moved; Wade Trudel seconded.
Motion to adjourn
The meeting ended at 8:50pm
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