Brookfield, Vermont

Minutes DRAFT
Brookfield Planning Commission
Date: Tuesday June 8, 2021
Present:
Gwynn Zakov, Chair, Tim Gershon, Christina Harlow, Martha Judy, Will White
Absent:
Nancy Jacques, John Jickling
Public Present:  None
Chair Zakov called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
White/Gershon moved to approve minutes from the 5/11/21 meeting as submitted by Will White.  The minutes were approved unanimously.
The planning commission discussed the town of Brookfield’s local emergency plan which is currently being updated. Current bylaws will be congruous with the town’s FEMA emergency plan. Meetings for this will be the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6 pm.
Martha Judy will ask Aaron Adler to come to discuss Telecommunications at a future meeting.
Discussed 4.17 Enforcement and 4.18 Costs of Technical Review
Judy/Zakov suggests adding Certificate of Use 3.17.to agenda next meeting.
Discussed Definitions, we will go back to definition of Accessory Dwelling Unit to allow more time to review.
Any other new/old business discussed.
Next meeting will be July 13, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Chair Zakov adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christina Harlow
 

Minutes DRAFT
Brookfield Planning Commission
Date: Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Present:
Gwynn Zakov, Chair, Tim Gershon, Christina Harlow, Jon Jickling, Will White
Absent:
Nancy Jacques, Martha Judy
Public Present:  None
Chair Zakov called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m.
White/Jickling moved to approve minutes from the 4/13/21 meeting as submitted by Martha Judy.  The minutes were approved unanimously.
The planning commission discussed short-term camping (“Hipcamps”), gun ranges, and considered updates to the Development Bylaws section 4.15.
Any other new/old business; discussed obtaining feedback on bylaw update from conservation commission and/or TRORC.
For the next meeting the commission will review Section 4.17, 4.18, and start on the definition section. Commissioners will find definition examples from two other towns for reference during the definition discussion. As before members will review these sections before the next meeting.
Next meeting will be June 8, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Chair Zakov adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Will White

Minutes DRAFT
Brookfield Planning Commission
Date: Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Present:
Gwynn Zakov, Chair, Tim Gershon, Christina Harlow, Nancy Jacques, Jon Jickling, Martha Judy, Will White
Public Present:  None
Chair Zakov called the meeting to order at 7:06 p.m.
White/Jacques moved to approve minutes from the 3/9/21 meeting as amended by Martha Judy.  The minutes were approved unanimously.
The planning commission considered updates to the Development Bylaws sections 4.13 and 4.14.
For the next meeting the commission will review Sections 4.15 and Gun Ranges.  As before members will review these sections before the next meeting in May.
Next meeting will be May 11, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Chair Zakov adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m.
 
Respectfully submitted,
Martha Judy

 
Brookfield Planning Commission (draft minutes)
Date: Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Present: Gwynn Zakov, Chair, Christina Harlow, Martha Judy, Will White, Tim Gershon, Nancy Jacques, Jon Jickling
Public Present:  Gary Lord, Kevin Dunwoody, Andreyevs, Aaron Adler, Jon Binhammer
Chair Zakov called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Judy/White moved to approve minutes from February 9, 2021. The minutes were approved unanimously.
Chair Zakov invited members of the public to be heard. None was heard.
Chair Zakov welcomed Christina Harlow to the Commission.
Jon Binhammer expressed his wish for the Planning Commission to update the Brookfield Town Plan to include greater clarity around local energy development.
Kevin Dunwoody, while not recommending any specific policy language, referred to Randolph as an example of a municipality that has taken on this issue.
Gary Lord saw value in having the PC identify specific places in town that could be designated “scenic” or part of “viewsheds”.
Chair Zakov pointed out that, according to state statute, The Brookfield Town Plan will have to include provisions around energy if the town is to maintain its eligibility for grant funding. She cautioned, however, that the Planning Commission has other priorities as well.
Jon Jickling asked whether there was precedent for amending a Town Plan prior to their standard revision schedule.
Chair Zakov said she is aware of such a precedent in other places.
Martha Judy expressed her opinion that the Planning Commission has already done much work in the area of development that bears on the issue of local energy development.
Jon Binhammer and Rachel Andreyev, in turn, expressed their support for the work of the PC.
Andreyev offered help in an unofficial capacity assisting the PC in its work developing a plan around energy.
The PC then resumed its work reviewing bylaws, nearly completing section 4.13.
Next meeting will be held on March 9th, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. At this meeting — following a brief update from Gershon/Jickling on their takeaways from the TROC meeting they attended in February — the PC will complete its review of bylaws sections 4.13, and begin their review of 4.14, 4.15. Time permitting, the Commission would begin to consider the issue of gun ranges. As before members will review relevant sections in advance.
The meeting was called to close by Chair Zakov at 8:51 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tim Gershon

Minutes DRAFT
Brookfield Planning Commission
Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Present:Gwynn Zakov, Chair, Martha Judy, Will White, Tim Gershon, Nancy Jacques, Jon Jickling
Public Present:  Gary Lord, Kevin & Marie Dunwoody, Katie Bancroft, Andreyevs, David Pattison , Christina Harlow, Aaron Adler, Jon Binhammer, Wayne Fontanella, Pamela and Gary, Elizabeth Templeton , Alexis McQueen, Greg Wight, Wayne Mcginnes, 2 phone in (unidentified)
Chair Zakov called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
White/Gershon moved to approve minutes from the January 9, 2021 meeting.  The minutes were approved unanimously.
Norwich Solar Proposal regarding the preferred site application for 150 kw solar array on Ridge Road property owned by Keith and Chelsea Sprague:  Zakov communicated to the numerous members of the public on the call that Norwich Solar representatives sent notice that they would not participate in this meeting.  White clarified for participants that the Planning Commission has no formal role in the approval of the solar project.  In response to a neighbor who requested a letter from the Planning Commission to take before the PUC, to which Zakov clarified that the Planning Commission’s role is not to take a stand on this.
Many of the public voiced concerns over the solar project and urging the Planning Commission to take a position on the project.  No action was taken on the Ridge Road solar project by the Planning Commission at this meeting.
Planning Commission discussed two candidates (Christina Harlow and Katie Bancroft) to nominate to fill the vacant seat on the Planning Commission, both of whom were seen to be very strong candidates and would bring value to the board. Judy puts forward motion to nominate Christina Harlow for the Planning Commission vacancy.  White seconded the nomination.  Approved by unanimous vote.
Chair Zakov stated she will notify both candidates and forward the nomination to the selectboard before the Planning Commissions next meeting in March.
The commission continued review of Brookfield Bylaws focusing on Section 4.13.
Other business:
The Planning Commission debriefed after comments received from the public on the solar project and the decision to take no action by no signing a preferred siting support letter to the PUC for the project.
White updated the board about changes in composition of the Board of adjustment.
Next meeting to be held on March 9th, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Next meeting will continue review of the bylaws sections 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, As before members will review these sections before the meeting
The meeting was called to close by Chair Zakov at 8:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jon Jickling