DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD
October 20, 2009
 7:00 PM
BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY
126 RIVER STREET, BENNINGTON, VT 
MINUTES

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:  Charles Copp, Chair; Barry Hörst, Vice Chair, Al Ray, Dan Malmborg and Ron Alderman, Bill Barney, Michael von Ouhl, Ryan Morse and Milt Surdam.

EXCUSED: Dan Malmborg. 

OTHERS PRESENT: Stephen McClure, Michael Lachant, Keith Carey, Jason Dolmetsch, Daniel Monks, Zoning Administrator; and Robyn Baker, Recording Secretary.

Copp called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. 

1. Minutes of September 1, 2009.

Barney moved and Surdam seconded approval of the minutes of September 1, 2009 as presented.  The motion carried. Morse abstained as he was not present.       

2.  Interested Persons - Appeal Rights - Reading of witness' oath
Monks read the oath.  

3.  Disclosure of Ex parte Communications and Conflicts of Interest
Hörst recused himself from Item 7. 
Von Ouhl recused himself from item 8. 

4. Alternates - Voting Assignments
Surdam will vote on the two matters that other members were recusing themselves from.  

5. Michael Lachant Knapp's Underground, 447 Main Street, the applicant is seeking design approval for a new sign. 

Hörst noted that the ARP recommends approval on both Items 5 and 6. 

Morse moved to approve both items 5 and 6.  Barney seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 

6. Keith Carey, the Gamer's Grotto, 457 Main Street, the applicant is seeking design approval for a new sign. 

7.  Stephen & Catherine McClure, 372 Pleasant Valley Road, the applicant is seeking a variance of the side yard setback requirement for a garage addition to an existing dwelling. 

Copp noted that all five facts would need to be voted on. Monks read the five facts. 

1. Unanimous. 
2. Unanimous.
3. Unanimous. 
4. Unanimous.
5  Unanimous.

8. Plasan, USA, 139 Shields Drive, the applicant is seeking an amendment to a previously approved Development Plan for its facility on Shields Drive. 

Dolmetsch explained that they are proposing to add 24 parking spaces, bringing the total to 98 which require two additional handicapped spaces which will be placed in the existing parking area in front of the building. Five shade trees will also be added. Three existing street trees will be preserved. A guardrail or evergreen hedge will be added. A storm water permit will be required, and has been applied for. 

Barney asked about the no-parking area, and Dolmetsch explained it was for turning. 

Hörst moved to approve with the addition of the two handicapped parking spaces. Morse seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 

9.  Jade Realty of Vermont, Carbone Ford/Hyundai, 897 North Bennington Road, the applicant is seeking a one year extension (to October 3, 2010) of its previously approved development plan.

Alderman asked, and Monks explained that this first came before them in September in 2008. 

Hörst moved. Barney seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 

10. Other Business

Hörst asked and Monks explained that the Planning Commission has been awarded the Citizen Board of the Year award. The Department of Housing and Community Affairs Staff made the nomination. 

As there was no further business, von Ouhl moved to adjourn. Hörst seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:11 PM. 

Respectfully submitted,



Robyn Baker
Minutes Secretary