Town of Bennington
                      Planning Commission
                            MINUTES
                                
                        November 2, 2000
                           7:00 p.m.
                      Town Office Building
                        205 South Street
                   Bennington, Vermont 05201
                                

                    Members Present:    Don Hicks - Chair, Bob Burgess, Barry Horst, Michael McDonough,
                    Sharon Yorke

                    Also Present:       Dan Monks, Zoning Administrator

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.

The Commission discussed the issue of Rules of Procedure and, by consensus, directed the
Zoning Administrator to draft proposed Rules of Procedure for review by the Commission at its
regular meeting in December.

The Commission discussed how minutes of the meetings would be kept.  By consensus the
Commission determined that the Zoning Administrator will take minutes at regular meetings. 
Such minutes will be reviewed and approved by the Commission.  The commission also directed
the Zoning Administrator to tape record all meetings and store all tapes of meetings in the Town
Office.  The Commission agreed that public hearings regarding Bylaw adoption, Town Plan
adoption and similar public hearing should be recorded by a minutes secretary hired by the Zoning
Administrator.

The Commission discussed the officers that the Planning Commission would elect.  Don Hicks
pointed out that the Vermont State Statutes require the election of a chair and a clerk.  

Bob Burgess moved that Don Hicks be elected chair.
Barry Horst seconded the motion.
Bob Burgess, Barry Horst, Mike McDonough and Sharon Yorke voted in favor of the motion.
Don Hicks abstained.

The Commission discussed whether or not the clerk must be a member of the Planning
Commission.  Some members thought that the Zoning Administrator, if allowed by law, should be
elected clerk.  The Commission directed the Zoning Administrator to contact the Secretary of
State's office to determine whether or not the clerk must be a member of the Planning
Commission and to report his findings to them.  The Commission, by consensus , agreed to elect a
clerk at its first regular meeting in December.

The Commission engaged in a lengthily discussion regarding its duties and responsibilities and
where to focus its energies initially.  Sentiments expressed included the following: the commission
should take a pro-active approach with the Select Board regarding planning issues; the
Commission should develop a list of priorities after reviewing the State Statute.

The Commission, by consensus, agreed to the following initial work plan:

     1)   The Planning Commission will initially focus on technical revisions of the Zoning Bylaw to
     reflect the recently created DRB permit rewiew process and on zoning map changes
     contemplated by the newly adopted Town Plan.  Dan Monks, with the help of Bob
     Burgess, will develop the revisions.  The revisions will be submitted to the Planning
     Commission for review at its next regular meeting in December.

     2)   After the technical revisions to the Bylaw are approved by the Planning Commission and
     submitted to the Select Board for approval, the Planning Commission will focus its
     energies on a comprehensive review of the Zoning Bylaw.  A grant application was
     submitted to the State of Vermont, and, if awarded, will allow the Planning Commission
     to hire a consultant to aid the Planning Commission in this process.

     3)   While working on the projects set forth above the Planning Commission will review
     current planning issues and submit reports, when appropriate, to the Select Board.

     4)   The commission will continue to define its vision and priorities.

The Planning Commission, by consensus, agreed to hold its regular meetings on the 2nd
Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Town Office Building,
205 South Street, Bennington, Vermont.

The commission discussed the importance of informing the public of the commission's actions and
recommended that a press release be submitted to the Banner after each meeting.  

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m..

Respectfully submitted,



Daniel Monks     
Zoning Administrator




DWM/

N:\Building & Zoning\Dan\Planning Commission\11-02-00Minutes.wpd