Corrections to the following minutes will be made at the next
meeting of the Selectmen and are unapproved until then. Changes will
be noted in that meeting's minutes.
MINUTES OF HEARING ON DRAFT TOWN PLAN
SEPTEMBER 13, 2006
NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE
PRESENT:
Selectmen: Daniel DeWalt, Patricia Halloran, Joseph Mandell and Hendrik
van Loon
Also Present: Reginald Maynard - Windham Regional Commission (WRC)
Hearing Officer
Susan Fillion - Windham Regional Commission staff
John Feifel, Gunther Garbe - Newfane Planning Commission
Bruce Hesselbach - Newfane Conservation Commission
Gary Katz, Carolyn Katz
Fred Bacon, Laura Wallingford-Bacon
Ellen Darrow
Susan Morse
Bill Morse
1. TOWN PLAN HEARING
The hearing was opened at 7:02 p.m. by Mr. van Loon. He explained
that the Windham Regional Commission Review Panel was conducting its
hearing simultaneously, and that warnings for both hearing had been
posted and published as required. He then introduced Mr. Maynard,
a Commissioner representing the Town of Whitingham, who would serve
as the WRC Hearing Officer.
Selectboard and Planning Commission members were then introduced,
as was Ms. Fillion of the WRC staff.
Mr. Garbe spoke briefly about the development of the draft plan by
the Planning Commission and outlined the anticipated schedule for
adoption by the Town and approval by the WRC.
Members of the Public were then invited to ask questions or make
comments about the draft plan.
Mr. Katz asked if there was any significant change from the previous
plan, especially in terms of policy statements. Mr. Garbe suggested
there was not.
Ms. Katz asked about density requirements in the various districts.
It was explained that the Planning Commission, through revision of
the Zoning Bylaws, could recommend different densities - with, for
example, more acres-per-unit in the Resource District and fewer in
the Village District than the current two-acre minimum throughout
the town.
Mr. Morse wondered if the Planning Commission had given particular
thought to ways to encourage development in the existing villages
- or perhaps in new similar areas. It was noted that the encouragement
of "in-fill" (use of space in existing buildings and/or
development of small lots in village centers) is being considered,
and that "cluster development", which can be used to reach
a similar result in some cases, is allowed under the current zoning
bylaw.
Mr. Morse then asked if any planning effort was directed at encouraging
a local economy that would make it easier for future generations to
remain in the town. Discussion followed, pointing out that this area
is very important and, at the same time, one of the most difficult
to deal with. It involves elements ranging from education to housing
to transportation, among a number of others.
Mrs. Bacon restated the need for additional affordable housing as
an element that could help younger people stay in the town.
Mr. Hesselbach asked about the status of a regulatory approach to
wireless (and other) towers in the town. The Selectboard is working
on a stand-alone ordinance to replace the earlier interim bylaw. Mr.
Hesselbach went on to emphasize that mineral resource extraction areas
must be carefully regulated, and that reclamation of those areas following
their closure is particularly important. Finally, Mr. Hesselbach suggested
that the question of commercial enterprises in residential areas needs
additional scrutiny.
At the close of the public comment period the Selectboard discussed
a number of minor technical changes and typographical and grammatical
alterations.
Mr. Maynard closed the Windham Regional Commission's hearing at 8:40
p.m.
The Board, on motion of Ms. Halloran as seconded by Mr. DeWalt, voted
to close the hearing and open the special meeting warned for the evening.
The hearing was closed at 8:42 p.m.
Respectfully,
