town of bennington planning commission minutes CDC ASSEMBLY ROOM bennington, vt 05201 october 4, 2000 @ 7:30 p.m. Commissioners Present: Chairman Donald Hicks, Robert Burgess, Vice Chairman Barry H”rst, Secretary Jim Frechette, Mike Lochner, Dick Cutler, Janet Thompson, Jamie Jerome, Dick Cutler and Michael von Ouhl. Also present: Dan Monks, Zoning Administrator; Marcel Donaj, Wayne Gammel, Jim Colvin, Paul Dolmetsch, Andre Jones, and Robyn Baker. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. 1. Minutes of October 4, 2000. ¨ Chairman Hicks noted the correction of the Bongartz award, not Vongaurt. Commissioner Thompson moved to approve the Minutes of September 20, 2000 as amended. Commissioner Lochner seconded. The motion carried. Commissioners Jerome and Cutler abstained. 2. W.H. Morse Airport, Airport Road, State of Vermont, review of site plan amendment for storage shed. Wayne Gammel was representing the Airport. He explained that this is an expansion of a previous permit. The original plan was for a 26' x 28' building, and they want to extend it to 36' x 36'. This is an off the shelf design that could be completed by December or January for equipment, winter maintenance and materials storage. Commissioner H”rst asked if any other changes had been made, and the applicant indicated that there have not been other changes. Commissioner H”rst moved to approve the matter as presented. Commissioner Burgess seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. James Colvin, 124 Northside Drive, final site plan approval for automobile quick lube service station. Mr. Colvin was present. Mr. Monks noted that the Zoning Board of Adjustment approved the project as presented. Commissioner Burgess asked if the birch trees would remain, and Mr. Colvin noted that they would. He noted that he would try to save and transplant the burning bushes. There are no floor drains. Commissioner Burgess asked if there have been any changes in the plans since preliminary review and the applicant indicated that there have not been any changes. Commissioner H”rst moved to approve the matter as presented. Commissioner Lochner seconded the motion. The motion passed carried. Commissioner Jerome abstained. 4. Vermont Mills, Paul Dolmetsch, site plan amendment for car sales. This is a review of Action taken on August 2. Mr. Dolmetsch was present. He explained that they have applied for a dealer's license to sell cars at their site. He recollects that at the previous meeting they agreed not to place any cars near the road for sale, they will clear away any vehicles, and bring all vehicles for sale inside in the evening. He also understood that registered vehicles that were being worked on overnight would be allowed to be stored for two to three days. The minutes reflected that they could not have any cars for sale outside. He understood that meant outside the fenced in area. In order to be a dealer, cars need to be seen outside for the consumer. They need four or five spaces outside during the day. Commissioner Cutler agrees. Commissioner Cutler, Hicks, von Ouhl, agreed. Commissioner Burgess explained that Mr. Dolmetsch stated that he does not mean to be a used car dealer. Commissioner Cutler noted that he did comment that he occasionally does have cars for sale. Commissioner Frechette noted that the gentleman from Vermont Mills felt that three or four cars would be allowed for sale outside his building. Mr. Frechette understands that he could display three to four cars outside his building, that would come in at night. Commissioner Lochner moved to clarify the previous motion, allowing the applicant to display five cars immediately outside of his building during business hours that would be brought inside every night. Commissioner von Ouhl seconded. Commissioner Cutler asked, and Mr. Dolmetsch noted that they do not have the intention of expanding. Commissioner Frechette asked, and Mr. Dolmetsch noted that this would allow them to get the dealership license. Commissioner Thompson noted that there would not be signage near the road. Chairman Hicks noted that signage would have to be further reviewed. Mr. Dolmetsch explained that he is not asking for signage tonight, but understands that the Mill property has signage rights. Commissioner Jerome feels that he does not feel that this is consistent with the town plan and bylaw for this area. The motion passed unanimously. 5. Kiret Patel, Midtown Motel, review site plan amendment for six unit expansion of motel, Andre Jones was present to review the plan. He explained that he was not aware that the site plan had been reviewed before. He noted that the original parking lot is paved, and there is a dirt driveway, and a gravel parking lot. This project went way over budget, and he is asking that they do not have to repave the existing parking lot, the driveway, and existing gravel. Mr. Jones viewed the storm drain during the storm today, and noted that it all runs at an angle and hits at the edge of the curb, and he proposes to put the storm drain where the natural runoff is occurring. Commissioner Cutler still feels that the parking lot should be paved, at least within five years. Commissioner Jerome asked, and the applicant indicated the proposed location of the storm drain. They are still proposing to delineate the entranceway. The proposed curbing changes are still planned. Commissioner Jerome feels that the plan in front of them is a good plan, and he would like to see it stay as proposed. Commissioner Frechette is also opposed to the request. He feels that a gravel parking lot in a downtown motel would have an adverse appearance. Mr. Monks noted that they have 18 months from when it was approved in June 1999 to have the site plan completed. Commissioner Jerome felt that they could extend the time limit for the paving requirement to August 2001. Commissioner Thompson asked about regrading, because regrading and repaving were specifically mentioned. Mr. Jones noted the location of the existing blacktop. Commissioner Burgess was afraid that sheet drainage onto the highway could occur. He also noted that there are no grades indicated on the plan. Commissioner Burgess feels that they have to remain with the original plan. Commissioner Cutler agrees that they need to remain consistent. Commissioner Jerome noted that you couldn't tell where the appropriate place is because there are no grades on the plan. Commissioner Jerome felt that they could give them an eight-month extension. Commissioner H”rst feels that if they come up with a viable plan with grades, they could review it. Commissioner von Ouhl noted that they required everybody to pave parking areas, and they should remain consistent. Commissioner Jerome agrees. Commissioner Cutler feels that the catch basin is in the proper place as designated. Commissioner Jerome moved to deny the request for amendment but extend the requirement for completing the original site plan to October of 2001. Commissioner Cutler seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 6. Other Business Mr. Monks reviewed the grant application for the hiring of a consultant to upgrade the bylaws. There is no local match. Commissioner von Ouhl moved to authorize the chair to sign the application when prepared. Commissioner H”rst seconded. Mr. Monks noted that funds would become available in November, and would have to be expended over the next 18 months. They are specifically aimed at reviewing the Bylaws, and unused funds get turned back over. Chairman Hicks noted that some sections of the Bylaw need to be made compatible with the town plan, particularly the Benmont Avenue corridor. The reconstitution of the Planning Commission will give a better emphasis to long term planning. Mr. Monks noted that there are four openings on the newly constituted Planning Commission. Letters of interest are due Thursday at the close of business. He noted that those who have been appointed to the Development Review Board might apply to serve on the Planning Commission as well. Mr. Monks reported that alternates would be expected to attend every meeting. Mr. Monks researched the question on the revision of Bylaws on the Morse property on Northside. He explained that they have a contract with BCIC to revise the map for all of the changes that were made. They will warn the change 15 days before the next Planning Commission meeting. If approved, it will be forwarded to the Select Board; warned 30 days before a Select Board hearing, then 21 days after approval it becomes bylaw. There is a small section off of Stark Street that the hospital requested and one other small change. This will bring the bylaw into compliance with the town plan regarding map changes. As there was not further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Robyn C. Baker