Kirby Zoning Board/Planning Commission Nov. 3 Meeting Minutes
*Minutes are in draft form until approved by Zoning Board*
Board members present: Matt Reeve, Ben Mirkin, Bob Van Vliet, Karen Moore, Teddy DeMaio, Mary Etter
Also present: Wanda Grant, Town Clerk, Jim Sawhill, Lister
-Meeting called to order at 6:10
-Minutes of October meeting reviewed and approved. Reviewed mail, notifications from ZBA: 1 application approved, 2 referred to ZB
-Discussion regarding Jim’s recommendations to improve the clarity and efficiency of permit process and forms, addressing the following topics:
making a clear distinction between permits for building and permits for sub-dividing, with different and appropriate fees and information required for each
clarifying that subdivision applications must provide surveys by licensed surveyors
additional fees for subdivisions will cover expenses such as getting the GIS maps, creating parcel ids, and other administrative costs
estimated that approximately $100/plot in a subdivision situation would be reasonable
redesigning the layout of the permit application to make the recording in town files process more efficient
adding all required information, steps in permitting process, and fees to the checklist for the benefit of applicants, will make process clearer and easier to manage
Jim agreed to research further, create sample/proposed applications including revised fee structures and checklists
ZB will review these proposals in December, develop proposed application to submit to the Selectboard for approval
Having agreed that it was important for the current ZB to review the proposed zoning regulations in their entirety, began with discussion of permitted uses in residential, commercial and highland areas of town. Multi-family housing was permitted inconsistently, began with the idea of making it more consistent, then decided it would be beneficial to have more info regarding what the state regs said in terms of the degree of limits a town could set.
Discussed the Town Zoning Map and agreed to ask John DeLeo to provide the town with a map that would indicate the various districts. This will be available both at the town hall and on the town website. Ben Mirkin will speak to John about this.
At 7:30, as warned, Matt Reeve opened the Conditional Use Hearing#2016-8for Dana Caspersen's request to build a dance studio. Present: Roddie Loynd, Rod L, Lee L, Joe H, Makaio Maher, William Forsythe.
William Forsythe explained the use he intended for the studio – primarily his own practice and planning space, occasionally working with 2 or 3 individuals as he planned and choreographed new dances. He clarified that this was not a dance school, no signs involved, and no regular visitors/customers. The plans include electricity, but no water (compost toilet).
The abutting landowners asked questions about several points including noise, lights, traffic, and closeness to property boundaries. They said they were satisfied and reassured by his responses and did not have any objections to the proposed building.
The ZB clarified the dimensions and setback of the proposed building as stated on the application and, after hearing of its intended use, determined that it was not a commercial use. ZB determined that it did not require conditional use approval and so, permit was approved as is – as a personal artist studio.
Matt R. moved to close, seconded by Bob V., and the meeting was adjourned at 8:30.