DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY, 3RD FLOOR 126 RIVER STREET BENNINGTON, VT 05201 MINUTES JULY 20, 2004 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Brady-Chair; Barry Horst-Vice Chair; Janet Thompson; Ron Alderman; Bill Barney; Bob Burgess; Michael vonOuhl; and Randy Maxon. ALTERNATE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Owens; Andrew Anderson; and Albert Ray. OTHERS PRESENT: Florence Perrott; Tim Taylor; Marylou Albert; and Recording Secretary, Christa LeBlanc 1. MINUTES OF JULY 6, 2004 Bob Burgess moved and Barry Horst seconded approval of the Minutes of July 6, 2004 amended as follows: Change line #88 from 12" to 13 3/4" The motion carried unanimously 2. READING OF THE WITNESS OATH: Michael Brady read the Witness Oath. 3. DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: None. 4. ALTERNATE VOTING MEMBERS: In the order of Andrew Anderson; Richard Owens; and Albert Ray. 5. TILLERMAN INC., KNAPP'S PETS AND HOBBIES, 198 NORTH STREET Design review of exterior changes to façade and new sign. Barry Horst stated the applicant has requested a continuance. Barry Horst moved and Michael vonOuhl seconded approval for a continuance. The motion carried unanimously with Andrew Anderson voting. 6. FLORENCE PERROTT, 151 SOUTH STREAM ROAD Final subdivision plan review of two lot subdivision. Barry Horst stated the side yard setback for lot number two is showing a ten feet setback for water and sewer. If you have water only, you need a twenty foot setback. At this time, there is only water hookup but there is an affidavit for sewer hookup within ninety days, which gives the ten-foot setback. Barry also commented on the driveway change and asked the applicant if this change was for both lots and Florence Perrott stated yes, the other driveway would be eliminated. Barry Horst moved and Bob Burgess seconded to grant preliminary approval contingent on sewer connection and the final plat reporting. Barry Horst stated he would like to amend his motion to final approval contingent on sewer connection and final plat reporting. The motion carried unanimously with Richard Owens voting. 7. VERMONT AGENCY OF TRANSPORTATION, 359 BOWEN ROAD Development plan review for new sheds and bridge. Barry Horst stated this plan is for three buildings that are slightly larger than existing, no exterior lighting, would not be visible except from Bowen Road, have met all requirements and recommends approval. Michael vonOuhl moved and Bob Burgess seconded approval for Vermont Agency of Transportation, 359 Bowen Road, development plan review for new sheds and bridge. The motion carried unanimously with Albert Ray voting. 8. THE GUARDIAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, 300 DEPOT STREET Development plan review of site improvements to existing retail site and new outdoor display area. Tim Taylor stated the applicant is taking over the existing Grand Union for a tractor supply retail store. The store will sell tractor supplies, farm maintenance products, general maintenance equipment, lawn and garden products, animal care products, some working apparel and few automotive accessories. Mr. Taylor commented on the parking variance and stated the existing parking is 229 spaces and the required parking based on the square footage of the store is 105 spaces. The applicant's parking plan is 82 spaces and has submitted the required letter from Tractor Supply that shows the national basis during peaked hours and what is needed for parking. The parking area in front will be used for lawn and garden equipment. The applicant will be changing the outside of the building, the sign, repairing the roof, and a fair amount of interior repairs. The applicant stated it would cost approximately 175,000 for site improvements such as curbing, lighting and landscaping requirements which includes taking down the existing lights, lowering the lights and their wattage, adding eleven additional lights which also includes the conduit and cutting up the asphalt. Tim Taylor stated there will be no boxed trailers stored on the property except for large tractor equipment that will be fenced in with an eight foot vinyl covered chain link fence. Tim also stated they would be using the existing configuration for the sidewalks and during store hours, fork trucks will be used for loading and unloading the outdoor display areas. For heating purposes, the applicant will be using a rooftop heating unit and fencing in the existing propane tanks. Mr. Taylor also commented he was unaware of the water near the exit on the County Street side of the building. Marylou Albert, co owner of Bennington Cooling and Heating and Second Hand Rose is happy the Tractor Supply Company is coming to Bennington and is considering revitalizing the Grand Union building. Marylou feels the view of the Bennington Monument has increased their property value and feels if the applicant is required to plant trees and hedges on the property, it would block their view of the Bennington Monument. Michael Brady also asked the applicant for a color sample of the paint being used for the stripe around the building and to have a plan for the drainage problem next to the County Street exit. Bob Burgess moved and Michael vonOuhl seconded preliminary approval for The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, 300 Depot Street, development plan review of site improvements to existing retail site and new outdoor display area. The motion carried unanimously with Andrew Anderson voting. 9. OTHER BUSINESS Ron Alderman inquired on the sign at Dog's Breath Bar and asked if it was in compliance and Michael Brady stated he would have Dan Monks look into it. At 8:11 P.M. Barry Horst moved and Bill Barney seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Recording Secretary, Christa LeBlanc