TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT
DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD (DRB) MINUTES
Development Review Board Present: Tim Waker, John Watanabe, Cathy Stewart, Ray Ferrarin (remote via Zoom). Absent: John Kennedy.
Staff Present: Planning & Zoning Director Janet Hurley.
Also Present: Lisa Goodman, Marek Kovac, Adrianne Lechner, Alois Lechner.
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Hurley initiated recording and called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
1. Annual Organizational Matters
Watanabe nominated Tim Waker to serve as chair. Stewart seconded the nomination. Waker was elected chair 4-0-0.
Ferrarin nominated John Watanabe to serve as vice-chair. Stewart seconded the nomination. Watanabe was elected vice-chair 4-0-0.
Stewart nominated John Kennedy to serve as secretary. Waker seconded the nomination. Kennedy was elected secretary 4-0-0.
Stewart motioned to adopt the Rules of Procedure as drafted. Watanabe seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0-0.
2. Minutes of the June 2, 2021, Meeting.
Watanabe motioned to approve the minutes of the June 2, 2021. Ferrarin seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0-0.
3. The Goodman Group, Inc., 4915 Main Street, Design and site plan review for outdoor display of merchandise, Application 2021-06-060.
Waker administered the oath to Lisa Goodman and Marek Kovac. Goodman reported on her meeting with the Design Advisory Committee the week prior. She described her merchandise display plan that will change seasonally and as merchandise is sold. Hurley displayed a partial site plan showing the areas on the porch that are proposed for outdoor displays. Kovac indicated where metal railings will be installed to confine the display areas. He indicated that the railing would extend from the building edge to the bottom step and will match the railing at the Kimball Grist Mill in style. Goodman indicated that the displays would remain out at night and she is not concerned about theft. She said the items will be meant for the outdoors and they would be placed on the wide step under the awning. She said she puts a tie across chairs to prevent customers from sitting in them.
There was discussion about whether to include the area above the front doors for display of merchandise. Goodman decided that she would like the option to display merchandise there. Stewart asked about items displayed against the fence. Goodman indicated she would like the option to display there as well. Hurley read comments submitted by abutting landowner Bill Drunsic via email (as attached to these minutes and thereby incorporated). Ferrarin asked what the business hours were. Goodman indicated that the shop is open from 10:30 to 5:00 Monday through Friday, 10:30 to 6:00 on Saturday, and 11:00 to 4:00 on Sunday.
Ferrarin asked whether there was any exterior lighting for the proposed display areas. Kovac indicated that there are recessed lights above the front doors that replaced flood lights that had been installed there previously. There was discussion about safety measures to prevent people from falling off of the steps. Goodman indicated that she has planters positioned on either end of the porch that will help prevent this. The railings are also meant to do this.
Watanabe motioned to close the hearing. Stewart seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0-0.
4. Other Business.
Goodman asked about the design review process. Hurley explained that certain of the town’s zoning districts fall in the DRO within which the Design Advisory Committee reviews zoning applications and makes a recommendation prior to approval. Hurley displayed the town zoning map. Goodman asked why there is design review in Manchester. Hurley explained that the community has decided that it wants a say in the design of use and development in its core.
Board members discussed the town’s reappointment process. They agreed that they would like to see regular conversation between board members and the Selectboard in between terms of appointment. It would offer a useful opportunity for communication between the Selectboard and board members. Board members felt that the current process leaves them feeling taken for granted, without even a notification that they have been reappointed. Hurley will relay this to Town Manager John O’Keefe.
There was a discussion about the advantage of holding meetings both in-person and with a remote option. Board members expressed appreciation for the hybrid arrangement.
There was discussion of the federal brownfields program as related to property for sale on Taconic Business Park Road. Hurley said she did not know the status of the Suburban Propane Appeal.
The next regular meeting of the board is scheduled for August 4, 2021. Hurley indicated there are no pending applications for review. If no applications come in, the meeting could be cancelled.
Ferrarin motioned to go into closed deliberative session. Stewart seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0-0. Hurley stopped the recording at 8:17 p.m.
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For the Development Review Board Date