Town of Bennington
                     Planning Commission
                           MINUTES
                 January 31, 2002   5:00 p.m.
                     Town Office Building
         205 South Street, Bennington, Vermont 05201
                      Members Present:    Barry Horst - Chair, Bob Burgess - Clerk, 
                 Michael McDonough, Sharon Yorke, Michael Lochner
                 Also Present:  Dan Monks, Zoning Administrator                            
                 Rick Pembroke, Citizen - Bill Thomson, Citizen
                 Bob Gates, Banner Reporter
  The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m.
  Minutes:
            Bob Burgess moved to accept the minutes as printed.
       
       Mike Lochner seconded the motion.
       The motion passed unanimously.
  Zoning Bylaw Revision Project
            The Planning Commission discussed Article III, Planned Commercial Industrial        District, of the proposed Zoning Bylaw revision.
            Bill Thomson, a Bennington resident, expressed opposition to a size cap on so        called "Big Box" retail stores.  He believes that if a cap is placed on Big Box        stores in Bennington then such stores will be built in neighboring communities        and Bennington residents will be forced to shop outside of Bennington.
            Rick Pembroke, a Bennington resident, stated that he was not opposed to a size        cap on Big Box retailers.  He also suggested that big box retailers be subject to        design standards.
            
  The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
  Respectfully submitted, 
  Daniel W. Monks
  Zoning Administrator                K:\Building & Zoning\Dan\Planning Commission\MINUTES\2002\PC-01-31-02-Minutes.wpd