DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD May 6, 2008 7:00 PM BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 126 RIVER STREET, BENNINGTON, VT MINUTES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Copp, Chair; Barry Hörst, Vice Chair; Al Ray, Ron Alderman, Bill Barney, Michael von Ouhl, Ryan Morse, and Eugene Rowley. OTHERS PRESENT: Dan Monks, Zoning Administrator; Carole Thompson, Walter Moses, and Robyn Baker, Recording Secretary. Copp called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. 1. Minutes of April 15, 2008. Hörst moved and Barney seconded approval of the minutes of April 15, 2008 with the following corrections: The names Dolmetsch and Bove on lines 33 and 70 were reversed. The motion carried. Von Ouhl abstained. 2. Interested Persons - Appeal Rights - Reading of witness' oath Monks read the oath. 3. Disclosure of Ex parte Communications and Conflicts of Interest None. 4. Alternates - Voting Assignments The regular Board members present were all voting. 5. Written Decision Jane Cole Realty, LLC, Chapel Road Von Ouhl moved to authorize Copp to sign the written decision. Barney seconded. The motion carried unanimously. 6. Carole Thompson, 2920 Mount Anthony Road, the applicant is seeking approval to demolish an historic structure on Mount Anthony Road. This applicant has previously requested a continuance. Thompson reported that she has had a series of unsuitable tenants, and has suffered financial losses for the past ten years. She explained that the building has deteriorated and is no longer economically feasible. She reviewed the bylaws, and declared that the cottage is abandoned. She has hired a plumber to look at some of the problems, and has had the electricity turned back on for the sump pump to operate and prevent basement plumbing. Hörst asked if the site would meet code currently. She reported that it needs a new furnace, plumbing, and a roof. There are also some issues with stairs and ceilings. She feels that this is an accessory structure according to zoning regulations. Alderman asked and Thompson indicated that this is set on a stone foundation, not below the frost line and the building pitches. In the 1930s two sisters bought the property to use as a camp, and over the years a furnace was added as well as other things to make it more habitable. Thompson reported that it was a very rustic structure when she purchased it. She put in a basement and a 10 x 10 addition. Barney asked if there were any old photographs of it, and she said that she had one photograph from 1950. There was cedar shake siding in the 1950s. Alderman asked if abandonment applied to a residence like that. Monks felt that it does not, but he did believe that undue financial hardship could be applied in this situation. Walter Moses asked who applied for the site to be considered historic, and if it is on the register. Monks explained that in the 1980s the state inventoried every structure in the town of Bennington, and made a determination regarding each structure. This structure made that list, but is not on the national register. Hörst moved to close the matter to deliberative session. Alderman seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 7. B&F Real Estate, Stocklee Lane, the applicant is seeking an amendment to a previously approved Planned Residential Development off of Stocklee Lane. The applicant has requested a continuance. Hörst moved and Barney seconded approval of the continuance as requested. The motion passed unanimously. 8. Other Business As there was no further business, Hörst moved to adjourn. Rowley seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM. Respectfully submitted, Robyn Baker Minutes Secretary