Planning Commission Minutes, 04.19.2023
Planning Commission DRAFT minutes
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 6:30 pm
236 School Road, Guilford, VT
Planning Commission members in attendance: Jethro Eaton, Julie Holland, Jeanette Tokarz, Charles Light, Christina Belogour, Nathaneal Matthiesen, Marty Ramsburg, Zon Eastes (Selectboard liaison)
Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 6:33 pm
Recognition of the Public: , William Jewel, Energy Committee ad hoc member, Dan Mallach, Dubois and King
Rules of Procedure: The meeting is conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order and civility
Changes to Agenda order: None
Approval of minutes 3/15/23: Jethro Eaton moved to approve the minutes from 3/15/23, Marty Ramsburg seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business:
Commission went over upcoming seminars and events of interest:
Thursday, April 20, 2:30-4:00 pm. Making Room: Planning for Those Who are Here & Those on Their Way to the Connecticut River Valley. Climate Migration – Connecticut River Joint Commissions
Monday, May 1, 6:00-7:30 pm. ‘Getting to know Act 250’ presented by Natural Resources Board. Hosted by WRC. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87226863152 Meeting ID: 872 2686 3152
Wednesday, May 10, 6:00-7:30 pm. WRC ‘Regional Plan Update’ https://us02web.zoom.us/ j/81164611726?pwd=T1lRam9tbVlkWmZ1UjBmMWFIRHAxZz09
Tuesday, May 23. 6th Annual Southern Vermont Economy Summit, 9 am-5:30 pm. The Hermitage, Wilmington. sovermontzone.com/summit
Tuesday, June 6. Village Meet-Up in Strafford, VT, Preservation Trust of Vermont, 9 am-3:30 pm. https://ptvermont.org/village-meet-up-in-strafford-vermonttuesday-june-6-2023/
Natural Resources Conservation Services/USDA presentation – Bill Jewel
Dan Mallach presented some particulars on the town’s strategic plan going over thoughts on what it needs to cover: budgets, actionable decisions, increasing public participation, accountability, communications and prioritization. Need to focus town decisions about what are cost effective and wise investment choices in light of identified needs and how best to turn visions into plans.
Dan also went over the tour of the town where the D&K team visited the Green River Bridge area, Algiers, Franklin Farm and the Fairgrounds. They were already familiar with the Guilford Center area because of the pedestrian path proposal that D&K are working on. Various other parts of town were suggested for site visits, including the VAST trail network, Route 5 as a possible development corridor for business, The Gaines Farm and its work on both agriculture and agritainment, and the area around Algiers where the pavillion just went up and which is being eyed for an affordable housing project.
The group discussed the town plan, Algiers plan, Greenfield Center plan and how to tie them together; possible timelines, the need to prioritize needs, the need for an energy and transportation plan, strategic plan vs short term goals, review existing and proposed land use, capital plan for Guilford, the timeline for new projects and the need for all demographics in town to have input into this planning. During Dan’s discussion various visual graphics were displayed and they have been added to these minutes as an addendum.
Julie reported on the ARPA response which was very good with 380 respondents. Members discussed how to keep seniors in town and the need for new, younger people for town groups such as Guilford Cares. Also discussed was a joint meeting with the Conservation Commission, breakfasts with Guilford business owners and a community picnic for late July.
Bill Jewell gave a presentation on Guilford’s housing shortage, state resources,and the need to find funding. Suggested that we look for and put notices up seeking housing development sites. The commission decided that the housing committee should be a subcommittee of the PC. Jeannette will put together prospectus for housing committee and send out.
It was decided that the PC would meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month.
Adjournment: Charlie Light motioned to adjourn the meeting, Jethro Eaton seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 20:03.
Next Planning Commission Meeting: Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 6:30 pm