Planning Commission Monday September 18, 2023 Commission members present: Megan Amundson, Phil Peterson, Chris Glabach Commission members absent: Wilbur Rice, Leon Ward Resident attendees: None Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM Minutes from August 14, 2023 Amundson voiced changes and the minutes were amended. Update Bicycle Scoping Study - Peterson summarized updates regarding The Bicycle Study Grant, a collaboration with the Village of Manchester and the Town of Manchester. The grant application has been approved by the state. As a result, $48,000 has been awarded to the Town of Manchester paired with $12, 000 in local funds to be split equally between the Village of Manchester and the Town of Manchester. Inn at Willow Pond - Peterson further updated those in attendance with the current state of the Inn at Willow Pond proposal. The development proposes the construction of condominiums and/or apartments on the property formerly known as the Inn at Willow Pond. The developer is having Act 250 issues with construction of wells adequate for the number of housing units proposed. Discussion began with Peterson asking the Planning Commission for input possibly to mix condo and apartments with affordable housing units. It was understood by the Commission a need to understand the constraints and opportunities available in the MU3 District concerning hotels or motels zoned multi-family that can offer adaptive reuse potential. Amundson offered to look in depth into zoning maps and find which districts support this adaptive reuse regarding affordable housing. Short-Term Rental (STR) Impact Study – Review of Doug Kennedy Advisors Report Peterson called on the Commission members to give their input on the conclusions of the study. Amundson volunteered her surprise that the housing stock was relatively strong and concluded that the data suggests that residents of the Town of Manchester are aging in place rather than freeing up starter homes for young families. To illustrate an example of this data, housing growth was 19% over the period 2015-2021, while growth of combined Town and Village STRs was under 6% over the period 2018-2023. Further discussion ensued concerning tiny home development and its desire within aging demographics, possible locations this could happen, and adaptive reuse locations. A general consensus of the Planning Commission was how the report was able to provide the benefit of data-based information to provide the foundation for future opinions and actions by the Commission pertaining to STRs. In summary, the Planning Commission feels that the report is illuminating but provides little or no support for beginning regulatory proceedings of STRs. This is especially the case given the impact of unintended consequences of regulating STRs on the local economy. A motion was made by Amundson to recommend to the Select Board no action be taken based on the data provided by the economic study. Glabach seconded the motion followed by a unanimous decision to support the motion. Other Business The Planning Commission discussed a list of items still pending that need addressing in the next series of upcoming meetings. Peterson will update the proposed zoning ordinance spreadsheet and send to the members. Glabach made a motion to adjourn at 8:10 PM, seconded by Amundson