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New Haven Planning Commission

New Haven Town Hall

January 4, 2007

Members Present:    Allen Karnatz, Jim Walsh, Donald Johnston, Susie Leonard,

                                    Mike Sweeney, Stuart MacCrellish

 Members Absent:     Tom Boise

 Staff Present: Cris Messerle, Zoning Administrator (ZA)

 Guests:                       John Madden, Francis Sturtevant, Milo Schaefer

Allen Karnatz, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

 Public Hearing:

1.  Francis Sturtevant requests a boundary line adjustment for his property located at 1238 Hunt Road.  The boundary line adjustment will create one lot totaling 4.53 acres.

 Francis Sturtevant presented a Mylar showing the new boundary lines, with all the required information; septic area, replacement area, well, house location.  Francis will have a new deed drawn up reflecting the merger of the two lots.

 Donald Johnston made the motion to accept the Mylar as presented.

Susie Leonard seconded

Discussion – none

Vote:               Yes – 6                       No – 0                         Abstention – 0

Motion carries.

 Public Hearing Portion of this meeting ended at 7:10 PM

 1.  Visitors Business

 No business at this time

 End of Visitors Business

2.  Review of Minutes

 November 2, 2006 minutes

            Jim Walsh made the motion to accept the November 2, 2006 minutes as presented.

            Mike Sweeney seconded

            Discussion – none

            Vote:               Yes – 5                       No – 0             Abstention – 1 (Susie Leonard)

            Motion carries

 December 7, 2006 minutes

            Susie Leonard made the motion to accept the December 7, 2006 minutes as presented.

            Allen Karnatz seconded

            Discussion – none

            Vote:               Yes – 4                       No – 0             Abstention – 2 (Jim Walsh)

                                                                                                                               (Mike Sweeney)

            Motion carries

 3.  Correspondence

             Workshop notice from VT League of Cities & Towns

            Bank statement

            Notice on Energy Building Standards

            VELCO correspondence

 4.  New Business

 a)         Planning Commission Terms that expire March 2007.

 Allen Karnatz mentioned that Tom Boise, Allen Karnatz and Donald Johnston’s Planning Commission (PC) terms will expire in March of 2007.  New appointments will begin April 2007.  If any PC member knows of anyone that would be willing to serve on the PC, please submit names to Allen Karnatz as soon as possible.

 b)         Cris Messerle (Zoning Administrator) brought up the subject of Permits (i.e. issuing of).

 Cris mentioned that the Zoning Administrator cannot issue a permit until a written statement is received from the PC, either as a separate “findings of fact” or approved minutes from the meeting.  The appeal period does not begin until the permit is issued.  After discussion amongst the PC members it was decided that most of the time the Zoning Administrator will issue the permit after approval of the PC minutes for that month.  If there is a time constraint and the applicant needs a permit ASAP, then the Chairman of the PC will write up a separate “findings of facts”.

 c)         Cris mentioned that Don Clark the hauler that was working out of the former JR’s building at the VT Railroad site at New Haven Jct., has now moved out of that location and moved over to North Street.

 Craig Newton came into the office today for a site plan review for the old JR’s building at the VT Railroad site at New Haven Jct. 

Allen Karnatz encourages the Zoning Administrator and any persons coming to the PC for a site plan review to use aerial photos that can be downloaded from computers.

 5.  Old Business

 a)         Jim Walsh asked about the “old road issue” and what will happen to these “old roads” in 2011.  Donald Johnston indicated that there is a time limit when the “old roads” need to be resolved.  After that time limit, a person cannot come forward claiming an “old road”.

 Jim Walsh would like to see this issue addressed as soon as possible to avoid conflicts that may arise between residents and the Town.

b)         Allen Karnatz indicated the Select Board will hold a public hearing on January 16, 2007 regarding the Dunbar petition.

 Donald Johnston asked if the vote on this petition will be by voice vote or by ballot.  Susie Leonard indicated that the vote must be by ballot vote because it is a change to the existing Town Plan.

c)         John Madden indicated that the Zoning Bylaw Case is still in Superior Court.

 Allen Karnatz made the motion to adjourn

Susie Leonard seconded

Discussion – none

Vote:               Yes – 6                       No – 0                         Abstention – 0

Motion carries

 The Meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM

 Respectfully Submitted By:

Karen Gallott