TOWN OF RUTLAND PLANNING BOARD
Public Hearing Minutes 11/14/17
Thurston Hill Blair Common Driveway Public Hearing
Location: Rutland Town Hall Annex 246 Main Street
Present: Norman Anderson, chairman; Marilyn Sidoti; Shawn Moore; Dick Williams; Jeff Bagg, planner
Remote Participation: Tim Nahrwold by telephone due to being out of state
Guests: Peter Craine, Zach Massa, Kristen Cammuso, Eileen Shanahan, Thomas Ruchala, Seth Knipe, Nick and Julie Belmonte, Craig Valois, Julian Vortruba, Clea Blair, Jr., George Kiritsy
Public Hearing – CB Blair Builders application for a common driveway servicing 1-3 or 2-4 Thurston Hill Road
Hearing opened at 7:45pm
Copies of the plans were sent to Tim electronically. Norm read the public hearing notice. Two different plans were submitted. Clea presented the plans. One plan services lots 1, 2, and 3 and conforms to the common driveway bylaw. The other plan services lots 2, 3, and 4 and does not conform to the bylaw. Blair prefers the plan services 2-4. Tim wants the opinion of legal counsel. Norm agreed with Tim. Norm stated that the only way they could get approval for the driveway servicing lots 2-4 is with a variance from ZBA. Blair does not want to go to ZBA. Kiritsy believes the board has the power to approve the plan for 2-4. The board agrees the plan for lots 2-4 is a better plan.
Seth Knipe, the fire chief, stated that public safety does not like common driveways in general as they often cause public safety risk. The fire department requested that Blair please go to ZBA for a variance. They very much so prefer the plans for the drive services 2-4.
Julie Belmonte, an abutter, expressed her displeasure at the additional houses being built on Thurston Hill. She also has concerns about emergency vehicles getting in and out of the common driveway.
Tim made a motion to send questions to KP Law to see if the planning board has authority to approve the plan for lots 2-4 or if it must go through ZBA. Norm informed the applicant that permit would not be granted until town counsel has also approved the homeowners’ agreement. Clea said he would send the HOA electronically. Jeff agreed to submit it to town counsel with the other request.
Shawn made a motion to continue the public hearing on 11/28/17 at 7pm. Tim 2nd. A roll call vote was taken. Julie Belmonte stated that she prefers the same plan as the fire chief does. Tim 2nd. Kiritsy submitted a paper copy of the HOA. Shawn Moore – aye, Marilyn Sidoti – aye, Norm Anderson – aye, Dick Williams – abstained, Tim Nahrwold – aye.
Hearing recessed at 8:32pm
Respectfully submitted,
Laurie Becker, Secretary
Minutes Approved on 11/28/17
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