Town of Bennington
                      Planning Commission
                 Wednesday, September 22, 2004
                           7:00 p.m.
                         Fire Facility
            River Street, Bennington, Vermont 05201
                            MINUTES
Present:  Barry Horst - Chair, Michael McDonough, Charles Copp, Sharon Yorke, Bob           Burgess
Also Present   Dan Monks - Zoning Administrator, Linda Putney, Mike Devens, Joan Goodrich,                Nathan Wallace Senft, Kevan Jones 
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
Town Plan Update - Kickoff Public Meeting - Barry Horst and Dan Monks gave a brief overview of the Town Plan update process.  
     Linda Putney offered the following comments:
               Pay more attention to ripple effect of Medical Center
               Consider impact of Not-for-profit employers 
               Recognize importance of colleges
               Recognize importance of locally based businesses
               Address where future creation of jobs will come from
                    Should be stronger statement of encouragement for conservation                     easements
Linda Putney also presented many suggestions for the Energy Plan Section of the Town Plan.  The attached Energy Plan comments and report of the Energy Committee summarize her comments.  
Mike Devens suggested that retail be added to the list of approved uses on Benmont Avenue.  
Joan Goodrich suggested that colleges be more throughly addressed.
Nathan Wallace Senft suggested that quality of life issues be addressed.
Kevan Jones expressed concern about how Northside Drive/67A are being developed.  
The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted
Daniel W. Monks
Planning Director
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