Rutland Planning Board
Re-zoning Town Center District
Informational Meeting (Public Hearing not posted at town hall)
Minutes
4/13/10
Present: Norman Anderson, Stephanie Bacon, Tim Nahrwold, Lester Grace
Excused: Dick Williams
Staff: Steve Parker, Susan Ducharme
Present: Refer to attendee list in folder
Meeting opened at 7:00PM
Chairman thanked everyone for coming and stated that originally this was a public hearing which he had it advertized in the Landmark but he inadvertently forgot to post
notice at the town hall. He further stated that as an informational meeting attendees will
be given the opportunity to be heard.
A public hearing will take place on 5/12/10 at either the Library or Town Hall Annex.
He referenced last fall’s information meeting. Attendance was good, many good
ideas were heard which as a result the Board studied and made a number of changes to/
Comments were open to the Board. They had no comments.
Presentation:
Mr. William Scanlan thanked everyone for attending. Power-point 15 minute presentation took place and handouts were distributed, comments were encouraged.
Mr. Scanlan informed those present that the by-law being being presented this evening is a new by-law which the By-law Subcommittee worked on for about a year. This is a very complete draft which the Master Plan recommended adoption on.
The following discussed:
- Background of the Town Center District
- Purpose of the Town Center District (As Rutland grows, the demand for business services will increase. Central concept is mixed use)
- Changes made from earlier draft (after listening to attendees at the 10/29/10 information meeting) were to reduce some size of districts. The Town Center District has been split into two categories: TC1 (older core area) and TC2 (will allow larger scale). Changes: TC1 (no buildings larger than 2500 sq. ft. per floor), TC2 (will allow for larger buildings great than 2500 sq. ft. per floor).
Mr. Scanlan explained the boundaries of the districts.
- Commercial regulations
- Resident regulations
- Different dimensional requirements reflecting unique land use patterns for TC1 and TC2 districts
- Residential conversions
- Parking and Landscaping
- Town Center District Design standards (will try to avoid auto dominated streetscape parking in front of building)
- Landscape and buffer requirements
- Split lots/zoning boundaries
Attendee questions/comments:
- What is the difference between village set back and center set back?
- Suggested: Put small maps on the town’s website and old zoning map.
- Couple of streets on map were mislabled (Breezy Lane, etc.).
These will be corrected.
- Will property currently in one area be zoned differently? Grand-fathered? What are the limitations of the grand-fathered clause?
Answer: If it is already allowed there then property will not be affected.
Mr. Scanlan stated that the list can be found in by-law draft.
Mr. Bill Senecal stated that in October there was only one zone. The committee
broke it down so it would make more sense, their intention was to try to
promote pedestrian acess while maintaining house character, etc.
I.e., Two lots adjoining Main Street and Edson Street would come under one
district). TC-1 district would require a 20 foot set-back measured from the
property line. Bill continued by saying that most properties are already pretty
close to the road. The committee’s goal was to maintain continuity.
- If current lot has nothing on it, could a single family home be built on it?
Why did the committee decide to re-zone the way they did?
- The Committee is trying to re-zone a very significant part of the town. They
did not feel they were in a position to re-zone everything and preferred to leave
it to future generation boards who may have new ideas.
- Shouldn’t the Town Center be somewhat symmetrical in all directions?
Answer: The committee did not want to create a commercial strip in the center of
town. They tried to focus on one certain area.
- Are there any restrictions on size of lots for businesses?
Answer: Floor space ration will be based on lot size. Parking would also be
calculated on business size.
- Why didn’t’ the Committee go further South?
Answer: Hospital will be a big commercial development once it gets developed.
The north side of Pommogussett is the Business District now. Topography of
space was looked at. Holden side is already industrial. Regarding going West:
What is wrong with residential? We are a residential community. The
committee did not see any reason to go further than Naquag School. Why go any
further? The goal was to make it a small scale district which could potentially
take 75 - 100 years or more to develop what is being designed now. The
committee tried to avoid the pressure for spot zoning. Once the town purchases
Rutland Heights Hospital much more opportunities will arise.
- Current zoning map was reviewed and discussed.
There being no further discussion, the meeting closed at 7:59pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan R. Ducharme
SD/abm
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