Planning Commission Draft Minutes, 05.08.2024

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Town of Guilford
Planning Commission DRAFT Minutes
Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 6:30pm, 236 School Rd, Guilford VT

Planning Commission members attending: Charlie Light, Jeannette Tokarz, Jethro Eaton, Marty Ramsburg, Julie Holland, Christina Belogour (via Zoom), Zon Eastes (Selectboard liaison), Bill Jewell (Conservation Commission liaison)

Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m.

Recognition of the Public:  Sarah Noble, Dan Mallach from Dubois & King 

Rules and Procedures: No changes. Follow Robert’s Rules and basic respect and civility

Changes to Agenda:  None 

Marty moved to accept the minutes from the last meeting. Julie seconded and motion was carried unanimously.

Updates & New Business:  

Change of the Business Breakfast to 6/8/2024 from 9-11. Talked about publicizing it, child care and food from Guilford Store. The BDCC will make presentation. One of the topics will be partnering and pipelines for High School students–apprenticeship and shadowing programs as a boon to both the students and local businesses. 

Dan presented revised Strategic Plan and members discussed. A good deal of discussion involved further exploration and plans re housing and how much emphasis to give it in the Strategic Plan and what a high priority it is for future discussion and engagement with the community. Need a town wide survey on what land might be appropriate under Act 250 restrictions and the possibility of using older farmhouses and ADU’s. Algiers seems to be a prime spot for possible development because of the ease of running water and sewer and the fact that it is one of the most developed sections of town.

Group discussed looking at Guilford’s historic patterns of housing and growth. Also discussed the “character of Guilford” and referred to the definition on page 8 of the Town Plan:

“…the Town also remains a wonderful community where there is a rich 250-year-old heritage, a mosaic of beautiful agricultural and forested landscapes, a good school, and a population of individuals who work hard and care about each other.”

We discussed redundancy in Strategic Plan and comments were made that this is a feature, not a bug, as there is so much overlay in our goals and plans. Also discussed how important the process of putting together the Strategic Plan has been in stimulating town wide conversation and engagement as well as specific goals that we have accomplished both in the past and present such as the BBCC, the Guilford Guide, the Visioning Workshop and increased focus on land use and the urgency of housing for both seniors and growing young families. 

Julie motioned to adjourn and was seconded by Marty. Jeannette, Charlie, Jethro, Marty, Julie and Christina voted aye and the meeting was adjourned at 8:03pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 PM.