TOWN OF NEW HAVEN
PUBLIC HEARING ON THE
ZONING AND SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
A public hearing was held before the Planning
Commission of the Town of
Gary Baker welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming. Three areas of major public concern were discussed and included:
1) DRB – Design Review Board; there is no DRB, only the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustment.
2) PRD (Planned Residential Development) & PUD (Planned Unit Development) – there is no PUD and PRD’s will be allowed in RA-5 and RA-10 zones. It was decided that all RA districts be left as they are in the draft regulations.
3) Section 531, Home-Based Business (HBB) has a revised definition.
Tom Boise wanted clarification on a Home Based Business (HBB) and Allen Karnatz stated it is an expansion of the current home occupation definition in the zoning regulations. The new regulation will allow people to use other structures for business use.
Tim Boutin wanted to know the difference between a HBB & HO (Home Occupation) and Allen Karnatz explained that a HBB would be allowed outside the home in an existing structure, whereas a home occupation can only occur within the home. All HBB’s would be a conditional use and only permitted in the rural residential zones. HBB’s would have restrictions about hours of operation, parking, building size and number of employees. The Zoning Board of Adjustment could require additional restrictions if necessary.
John Madden asked about the number of employees allowed in HBB & HO and Jerry Smiley said he had recommended to the Planning Commission 3, full-time employees, but we decided to change it to 4. Section 531, Home-Based Business (HBB) was briefly discussed.
Jerry Smiley mentioned the distance between a HBB and the “house next door” and Gary Baker stated we have added a noise preservation rule.
John Madden expressed concern about property values for the neighbors on either side of the HBB/HO.
An unnamed woman wanted each member to comment on the strengths and weaknesses of the Subdivision & Zoning Regulations. Due to the time restriction of ½ hour, this was not done.
George Merritt stressed the need to have this version of the Subdivision & Zoning Regulations passed, because they are long overdue and the next revision will soon be underway.
Nina Bacon was concerned about the limitation of one bay being used for auto repair and feels it was quite vague in the plan. She suggests addressing how many vehicles would be allowed in a particular bay; not just what the neighbors say. In addition, she is concerned about the number of auto repair places in town and feels it should be looked at from the point of location. Her main concern is the 7 & 17 auto place. Burt Allen feels as long as the vehicles are registered, you can’t restrain trade.
Jerry Smiley spoke about HBB parking and the number of vehicles that are referenced for this use.
Allen Karnatz asked the public if we should allow density bonuses to a land developer relating to PRD’s. Many citizens were in favor of it. Consequently to the density bonuses, it would mean more land would be conserved. One man commented that it would also mean more houses and more kids in school; it doesn’t just effect the number of houses being built.
Allen Karnatz asked if we should require clustering and stated it is an incentive to cluster the houses for the developer.
Burt Allen stated he is happy with the plan, but advised the town to watch the money being spent so there isn’t a deficit or potential financial problems.
Time was running short, but there will be another hearing held in January or February if anyone would like to come. Gary Baker welcomed anyone to accompany the Planning Commission downstairs for the continuation.
Meeting was moved to downstairs where Gary Baker asked the Planning Commission if they wanted to change anything in the plan before it goes to the Selectboard for approval. It was felt that one good thing that came out of the Public Hearing was the density bonus. The consensus was to leave it as it is. George Merritt made a motion, seconded by Allen Karnatz to leave it like it is and to submit it to the Selectboard; all approved, no opposition. Keith Hall will submit it to the Selectboard.
A letter was received from Bev Landon regarding Section 523, Vehicles that are registered for road travel, which are called campers. She feels as long as they vehicles are registered, they are not qualified real estate nor should be regulated by zoning.
Meeting adjourned at
Art
Jim Walsh Keith Hall Gary Baker
John Evers