Essex Conservation Committee 81 Main Street Essex Junction, VT Minutes of February 15, 2012

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1 81 Main Street Essex Junction, VT Minutes of February 15, 2012 Conservation Committee (CC) Members Present: Niels Giddins, Ben Suratt, Peter Hess, and Brian Cote Absent: Chuck Vile Staff Present: Ally Vile Also Present: Trails Committee (TC) for development review Members of the Public: Owen Jenkins (Birchwood Land Company, Inc.) Meeting called to order at 7:03 p.m. 1. Development Review: Lot Subdivision: Continued discussion of proposed subdivision of a single existing lot, Lot 5, into two lots in The Orchards residential development on Lilac Lane and Route 15. Discussed location of existing sidewalks nearby and connecting trail to Lamell Avenue sidewalks from Lilac Lane cul-de-sac. Committee members had no comment. Birchwood Land Company, Inc. 4-lot Residential Subdivision: Continued discussion of the proposed subdivision of property located at 49 Tanglewood Drive in the Medium Density Residential (R2) Zoning District. Proposal now before Planning Commission for Sketch / Final Plan approval. Subdivision would convey acres (Lot 5) to the Town of Essex. Existing path on proposed Lot 2 would be relocated. Easement over trail to be maintained. Owen Jenkins present to discuss and answer questions from the Committees. Discussed existing trail network on the property and adjacent parcels. Also discussed parking for trail access in the cul-de-sac of Tanglewood Drive. Committee members had no comment. The Committees split. Agenda Items: 1. Priority Projects / Debrief from Ann Smith and Justin Kenney: Discussed the riparian buffer monitoring opportunity that was brought to the CC by Justin Kenney of the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District (WNRCD). Committee planned to contact Justin for a status update of the monitoring grant, and also to check on availability of handouts for booth at Town Meeting. CC members to continue working with Justin to develop a project priority list. 2. Conservation Subdivision meeting debrief: The CC discussed the January 26 th Planning Commission workshop as part of the Scenic Resource project. The option of adopting Conservation Subdivision regulations or a Overlay District was discussed, as well as the proposed changes to existing subdivision regulations to facilitate the new regulations. CC planned to continue discussion with Katherine Sonnick to 1

2 get status update and steps moving forward. Members to attend next discussion about the project at the March 8 th Planning Commission meeting. 3. Town Meeting table logistics: Final planning for the CC booth at Town Meeting. Peter and Niels to coordinate getting the poster board and easel for CC sign. Handouts to potentially include brochures from WNRCD, information about backyard forestry, and remaining handouts from last year s informational booth. 4. Meeting Minutes, January: The minutes were approved by the Committee with minor changes. 5. Other Business: Continued discussion of the zoning district changes proposed within the RPD-I / Saxon Hill Industrial Park. Debriefed about the continued discussion of at the January 12 th Planning Commission meeting. Discussion continued about concerns surrounding the proposed permitted uses and conditional uses, as well as how the outcome of the changes currently proposed may entice other adjacent land owners to proposed changes to other zoning districts as well. Also briefly discussed ideas for Green Up Day and Arbor Day. Additional planning and discussion added as an agenda item for March s meeting. Agenda Items for March Meeting: Town Meeting Day debrief discussion Discussion of March 8 th Planning Commission Meeting Planning for Green Up Day and Arbor Day Minutes, February Other Business Meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm. Next meeting is March 13,

3 81 Main Street Essex Junction, VT Minutes of April 10, 2012 Conservation Committee (CC) Members Present: Peter Hess, Brian Cote and Chuck Vile Absent: Niels Giddins and Ben Suratt Staff Present: Katherine Sonnick and Ally Vile Also Present: Trails Committee (TC) for development review Members of the Public: Justin Kenney, from the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District (WNRCD) Meeting called to order at 7:02 p.m. 1. Development Review: 27 River Road: Conversion of commercial building to a 6-unit residential multi-family building. No comments fro the CC. TC wanted to have staff check on the sidewalk in front of the building. Katherine thought there was one. 35 Discovery Road 6-unit PUD: Katherine noted that a trail easement had been proposed that parallels the Circ, leading up into the open space portion of the project. The TC thought is was good link. It was also noted that 74+ acres will be deeded as preserved open space. Birchwood Land Company, Inc. 4-lot Residential Subdivision: Proposal now before Planning Commission for Final Plan approval. Subdivision would convey acres (Lot 5) to the Town of Essex. Existing path on proposed Lot 2 would be relocated. Easement over trail to be maintained. Chuck noted that he was interested in the possibility of logging off of the existing old logging road. The TC said they would discuss a new location for the trail on Lot 2 and were confident they could come up with a suitable location. The Committees split. Agenda Items: 1. Justin Kenney (WNRCD), Follow up on contacting property owners along the Browns River: Justin discussed how to approach the property owners about buffer plantings. Many land owners feel like to do this they are agreeing to give away a substantial portion of their property. All that is asked for is a 10-year agreement to not cut the trees/shrubs, no easements required. We should stress the benefits: habitat in the bank and the water, water quality, reduced erosion, bank stabilization, and reduced flooding. There shouldn t be a cost to the property owners, because of some programs providing funding (Trees for Streams, for example). Justin stated that all we would need to do is to share this general information and get an idea if they would be interested and Justin could then contact them with the specifics. Pete and Chuck asked about what type of trees and how many would be planted. Justin stated that it depended on what types of soils were present and listed quite a few varieties (American Elm, Hackberry, Dogwood, Willow, Maples, Cottonwood, Black Cherry, etc.) Approved 7/10/12 1

4 Generally 150 to 200 trees would be planted per acre and shrubs per acre. We could talk with our very own Niels Giddins about planting done on his property. Katherine asked when we should talk with folks about this proposal. Justin said it would be too late for this year, but planting could take place this fall, so just about any time would work. Justin said he would out a brochure that we could give to the people we talk to. Justin spoke also about a new stormwater program called Let it Rain which is for educating, demonstrating, communicating, and getting people involved in keeping stormwater on site. Financial incentives are available for rain barrels and rain gardens. He also noted that Ducks Unlimited is coming to Chittenden County. A woman named April in his office would be the contact to find out more about how they could help us in town. He also noted that he would be available to talk with the CC and TC about trail construction design standards. We should contact him and he d be happy to come back to a future meeting. 2. Tree Planting along the Alder Brook, April 28: Brian noted that they are looking for volunteers. He and Chuck would follow up with Ann Smith and her crew about more details, such as where the planting would take place. Chuck asked about mowing and wondering if this needed to be done again. Pete would check into putting some sort of note in the Essex Reporter requesting volunteers. 3. Conservation Subdivision/ RPD-I meeting debrief: The CC discussed the Planning Commission workshop for the Conservations Subdivision project. The PC approved the draft regulations that will go to public hearing on May 10. All CC Members are invited to attend the Public Hearing, which will be held at the Middle School. Katherine also provided a brief update on the status on the Planning Commission draft changes to the RPD-I zoning district. It will look more like an industrial district, but with buffers and sensitivity to the natural surrounds. Limited uses are proposed, not conditional uses and sand extraction is not a permitted use. This is also part of the May 10 Public hearing. 4. Green Up Day Discussion Katherine would follow up on a location. Public Works staff had not yet gotten back to her about potential locations. Reminder that it takes place on May 5 th. 4. Meeting Minutes, March: Brian will have the March minutes available for the May Meeting. Katherine will prepare the April minutes. 5. Other Business: No other business. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm. Next meeting is May 8, Approved 7/10/12 2

5 81 Main Street, Essex Junction, VT Minutes of July 10, 2012 Conservation Committee (CC) Members Present: Niels Giddins; Ben Suratt; Peter Hess, Brian Cote and Chuck Vile Staff Present: Sharon Kelley, Zoning Administrator Also Present: Ruth LeBlanc, Trails Committee for development review Members of the Public: Helen Vile Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. Sharon Kelley reported that Ally Vile informed her that there was not a quorum for the Trail s Committee. Kevin Macy, Trails Member arrived and was not aware its meeting was cancelled. He was invited to stay but chose not to. Ruth LeBlanc, Trails Member also arrived and chose to stay for the development review. Kelley reminded the Committee that they were invited to participate in a Planning Commission workshop scheduled for July 12, 2012, in the conference room to discuss the Southeast Quadrant of town. Kelley noted that the Southeast Quadrant consisted of the RPD-I lands, Kimo lands off River Road, Bushey lands off River Road, Warren Palmer s landlocked parcel near the vicinity of the RPD-I lands, Villeneux lands off Saxon Hill as well as all the lands surrounding those areas. 1. Development Review & Updates: 282 & 290 West Sleepy Hollow Road: 1.19-acre Boundary Adjustment between Gray property and Summerville property. Summerville s lot will increase to a total size of 4.35, which includes a 75 foot increase to its frontage. Gray s lot will decrease to a lot. No development is planned for Gray s lot at this time. The Committee had no issues with this application. 6 Carmichael Street Site Plan Amendment- Applicant has requested to have the ability to create three dwelling units on the property. Two dwelling in the existing former Coffee House and one dwelling in the former creamee structure or one dwelling unit in each building and one commercial space in the former Coffee House. The applicants hope is to find a tenant who can have its tenant work and live on the premises. The Committee had no issues with this application. Town Meadow LLC, c/o Dousevicz Site & Master Plan Amendment & Footprint Lot subdivision: Proposal for final building, known as Building C, 18 Carmichael Street. Proposal for a 3-story, 100-bed, assisted living building on a 20,500+/- footprint lot. This is the final building to be approved on the property. The Committee was very surprised and upset to discover that the 3-story, rental housing building, known as Building B was approved as a 3-story building given the Conservation Committee s recommendations to the Planning Commission. Kelley stated she was not present for that meeting and would the approval letter and minutes for their review. Kelley stated that a staff review has been scheduled in an attempt to have the landowner understand that initial staff comments on the project believe the building is too large and that access needs to be gained around the entire building. Kelley stated that the application is tentatively set for August 23 rd, however it could go into September.

6 Minutes of July 10, 2012 Kelley advised the Committee that although an application is not in the door, Al Senecal plans to submit a new sketch plan for his property off Susie Wilson Road, behind Lowes. Kelley stated Senecal received sketch approval for 48 apartments and 2 commercial buildings. The new application will remove all residential and add more commercial. Kelley advised the Committee that the landowner finally received PC approval for the continued construction for the triplex located at 11 Old Stage Road. Additional architectural design and additional landscaping was required as part of the approval. The Committee voiced its frustration that the penalty resulting from a citation is not enough to deter builders from changing the construction as they build. Kelley advised the Committee that the Molloy-Delaney House has been removed from the lot and a tree has been planted. Kelley stated the tree was not a requirement and is not sure it will survive. Kelley noted that Homestead Design, Inc. received PC approval for the demolition of the house. Much of the materials were taken away by the salvage business located on Route 117. Peter Hess asked what was going on with the road on Corporate Drive. Kelley advised that she is looking into that matter. It appears a Highway Agreement and other documents need to be completed. Kelley stated that this road was constructed as a result of the Phase 2 approval granted for 11 additional industrial lots. Normally the landowner has a buyer for a lot before they go forward with the road and Kelley suggested that he wanted to complete the road so potential buyers could view the lots. Hess asked Kelley to make sure the road was constructed where approved and that they did not cut down any of the 50-foot buffer. Kelley stated that each lot would need to go before the PC for site plan approval and that is when the 50-foot buffer would be required, however the PC could waive that buffer as it has done on other existing developed lots. Kelley provided a copy of an article from the Essex Report and an from Assistant Town Manager, Trevor Lashua, regarding the Circ Alternative. Giddins observed a map on the wall and was shocked to see where the route was located. The Committee asked Kelley to have someone attend one of its meetings to give them an update. Kelley will look into it. Kelley understood that the police facility was still between two locations, Upper Main Street and River Road. She will get an update for the next meeting. 2. Meeting Minutes, April, 2012 & May, 2012: The Committee accepted the April 10, 2012 minutes as written. The vote was 5-0. Giddens reported that due to circumstances no minutes are available for May. 3. Succession Planning (New Chair): Kelley stated she would accept a motion for the Chair. Discussions included asking Giddins if he wished to continue on as Chair. Giddins stated he enjoyed his term but thought one year was enough and someone else should have a turn. Kelley asked the remaining members if anyone wanted to be chair. Brian Cote said he would accept the position if no one wanted it. Peter Hess said he would like to be chair. Member Suratt MOVED and Member Vile SECONDED a MOTION to appoint Peter Hess as Chair for fiscal year The MOTION passed 5-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm. Next meeting is August 13,

7 81 Main Street, Essex Junction, VT Minutes of September 11, 2012 Conservation Committee (CC) Members Present: Peter Hess, Chair; Niels Giddins; Ben Suratt; Brian Cote and Chuck Vile Staff Present: Sharon Kelley, Zoning Administrator; Ally Vile, Recreation Coordinator; Dennis Lutz, Public Works Director Also Present: Trails Committee; Mark Marsh, Planning Commissioner; Johnathan Schumacher, Planning Commissioner; and Joe LeClair Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. AGENDA ITEM 1: Guest Speaker-Dennis Lutz To Discuss Cir Alternative Plan Selected By The Town And Village: Lutz informed the audience that Governor Shumlin killed plans for the continuation of the Circumferential Highway (CIRC) and charged the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commissions (CCRPC) and communities to develop alternative projects. The Town of Essex selected four options: 1. 2A/289 intersection (lane geometry and old signal controls); 2. Signal updates Route 15/Essex Center (better control-less delays); 3. VT 117/Sand Hill Road signalization (this project is going to construction next summer); 4. Scoping project Route 15/Sand Hill (is not likely to go and is hoping for the next phase). Lutz handed out the following documents to support his overview: CIRC Task Force Membership. Lutz described how the membership was created and who represented the Towns of Essex, Essex Village, Williston and Colchester as well as the state, federal, other regional transportation, business and environmental communities. Lutz encouraged the committees to go on the CCRPC s website to learn more on this matter; Alternatives to the Circ Implementation Projects (Prioritization Scores 3 Nov 2011); Project Prioritization and Scoring Process for Phase 1 Implementation Projects; CCRPC swilliston-essex Network Transporation Study (WENTS); RSG Inc. WENTS Draft Phase 1 Report; and Memo from Lutz to the Selectboard dated 5/23/12 with a recommendation to the Selectboard on a position relative to the study. Williston voted for option 2. By default Essex selected option 2. AGENDA ITEM 2: Development Review & Updates: Bond Auto-SITE PLAN AMENDMENT-Proposed relocation of the delivery area to the Southeast side of the building located at 13 Susie Wilson Road.

8 Minutes of September 11, 2012 Gero Bros. Movers, Inc. & Jeff LaFountain d/b/a Castle Redemption-SITE PLAN AMENDMENT-PUBLIC HEARING-Proposal to convert 800 s.f. of existing space into a redemption area at 1 Gero Court in the Industrial (I1) Zoning District. The Town Meadow 100-bed residential care facility (discussed at the previous CC meeting) was scheduled for September 27 th. AGENDA ITEM 3: A. Johnson landlocked parcel-abutting Indian Brook Park & Towers Road Chuck Vile stated that A. Johnson owns a 100+/- acre landlocked parcel in Essex that is for sale. Vile questioned if the town has any interest in purchasing the land. Sharon Kelley advised the Committee that contact should be made with the Town Manager s office as ultimately this would be a question for the Selectboard, and then Essex voters if the Selectboard decided to pursue this purchase. AGENDA ITEM 4: Meeting Minutes, July, 2012: With a vote of 5-0, the Committee accepted the July 10, 2012 minutes as written. AGENDA ITEM 5: Other Business: Joe LeClair stated he wanted to get involved on the Conservation Committee. Kelley explained that the Committee was full however he was welcomed to attend the meetings as a public participant. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for August 13,

9 81 Main Street Essex Junction, VT Minutes for November 13, 2012 Conservation Committee (CC) Members Present: Peter Hess (Chair), Niels Giddins, Ben Suratt, Brian Cote and Chuck Vile Staff Present: Greg Duggan, Dana Hanley Meeting called to order at 7:00pm - Joint session with Trails Committee for development review - Update on Birchwood Trails and lawsuit - Update on Saxon Hill Discussion Conservation and Trails Split CC Item #1: Discussion with Community Development Director Dana Hanley and Vermont Land Trust regarding land conservation projects in Essex: - Vermont Land Trust (VLT) represented by Bob Heiser - Presentations consisted of an overview of the VLT, types of projects under the VLT and then some examples of projects - Local conservation group options include forming a 501c3 or perhaps a local Land Trust in Essex funded by the citizens of the town. - Opportunities for funding projects with a local Land Trust would include; town funding, VLT assistance, fundraising - The Chittenden County Uplands and the Bolton Valley Project are examples of large successful projects - Farm Access Program Links farm buyers with farm sellers and is successful - Bob Heiser pointed out that often times a successful local Land Trust is started with a specific project in mind - Town support is huge and a key to success - The members of the Essex CC discussed possible locations including surrounding Indian Brook Resivoir as good locations to perhaps begin a new conservation project. - The members of the Essex CC stated that they would investigate resources to assist with learning about forming a local Land Trust and discuss at the December 2012 CC meeting. CC Item #2: Update on TDM marketing and outreach from Circ Task Force -- No update CC Item #3: Update about the Friends of the Winooski tree planting -- No update Meeting adjourned

10 81 Main Street Essex Junction, VT Minutes for December 11, 2012 Conservation Committee (CC) Members Present: Peter Hess (Chair), Niels Giddins, Ben Suratt, Brian Cote and Chuck Vile Staff Present: Greg Duggan Meeting called to order at 7:00pm Joint session with Trails Committee for development review - Discussion around 10 Kellogg Road for addition of storage shed. On Planning Commission (PC) agenda for 12/13-12/27 there will be no PC meeting. Potentially a 3 rd meeting will be scheduled for January - 1/10 PC meeting will discuss the new lighting proposal for the Maplefields gas station near Circ Highway/Route 15 - Discussion around 31 Allen Martin Drive Food Distribution Center for Rienhart Food Service o Impact on trails o Maintain 50 buffer o Impact on adjacent lands o How does defined acreage play into ongoing discussions of Saxon Hill area - Discussion around overall Saxon Hill property o Mark Marsh and David Raphael will deliver an update to the PC on 12/13 o Details will come from PC discussions however overall zoning will be Commercial/Industrial, residential with 250 acres to be handed to Town o Potential to go to Select Board on 12/17 o Potential to go to Town Meeting in 2014 o Discussion regarding where the 250 acres would reside o Discussion regarding the desire for CC and Trails to have site visit(s) - 1/24 will be Joint Conversation between Planning Commissions for Town and Village of Essex. Conversation hosted by Heart and Soul, a Town/Village group gathering data regarding the two municipalities. - Dennis Lutz (Town Engineer) has worked with the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission to begin a Path Planning Project o End goal to set priorities for connecting Essex Town, Village of Essex Junction, Colchester, etc o Rough outline plan will be created and then working group o Brief discussion regarding the interest/necessity of Trails and CC to be involved Conservation and Trails split at 7:39pm

11 CC Item #1: Report from members on findings regarding the viability of an Essex Land Trust and Conservation Fund: - Neils discussed that he had offered the name on an individual that may be able to help with the setup of an Essex Land Trust however the group collectively agreed that the search should continue - Discussion regarding a memo forwarded by Greg Duggan on the history of the Williston Conservation Commission and the Williston Environmental Reserve Fund. o Essex CC invited to attend Williston CC meeting to discuss - Discussion regarding a memo forwarded by Dana Hanley (Essex Community Development Director) on the subject of forming a local Land Trust - Discussion regarding being a Committee vs. Commission - Discussion the formation of an Essex Land Trust and associated funding o Participation of members of the Land Trust is key o Funding is essential o Town support is critical o The point was made that a Land Trust can meet more frequently and does not need to stick to as strict a schedule as a group such as the Essex CC o Missed opportunities for the Town of Essex to either accept or purchase lands for conservation demonstrate the need for a local Land Trust Perhaps tallying the dollar value of missed opportunities would further show the need o The point was made that is resources were slim for man hours to put towards the formation of the Essex Land Trust that perhaps an individual could be hired to take care of that business o Greg encouraged participation in Heart and Soul to show that land conservation does need to be important to Essex Town/Village and that there are citizens of these areas that care about making it happen. o March 2013 Heart and Soul intends to present some findings to the citizens of Essex Town/Village - Request was made for Greg to ask Heart and Soul if they would be able to schedule a Conversation regarding conservation to occur simultaneously with the 1/8 CC and Trails meeting. Assuming this could move forward, the 1/8 meeting would start at 6:30pm CC Item #2: November meeting minutes reviewed and accepted Other Business: One new agenda item for 1/8 was proposed to have Mark Marsh and/or Dave Rapheal to attend the CC meeting and download on overall Saxon Hill project. This item will be subject to overall meeting agenda and available time. Meeting adjourned at 8:40pm