Brookfield, Vermont

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
 

Minutes DRAFT
Brookfield Planning Commission
Date: Tuesday, January 12th, 2021
Present:Gwynn Zakov, Chair, Martha Judy, Will White, Tim Gershon, Nancy Jacques
Public Present:  Gary Lord, Kevin & Marie Dunwoody, Jim Merriam, Katie Bancroft, Matt Dezan, Ze Andreyevs, Zoe Newmarco, Christina Harlow, Sarah & Nathan Shaw, Aaron Adler, Jon Binhammer
Chair Zakov called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
Public to be heard after each topic.
White/Gershon moved to approve minutes from the 12/8/2020 meeting.  The minutes were approved unanimously.
The planning commission opened the floor for the two potential nominees for the vacant Planning Commission seat to introduce themselves.  Both Christina Harlow and Katie Bancroft provided summary backgrounds and their interest to serve their community.  No decision on nomination was made at this meeting.
The planning commission and attendees were walked through a presentation by Jim Merriam of Norwich Solar regarding the preferred site application for 150 kw solar array on Ridge Road property owned by Keith and Chelsea Sprague. This was a Public Utilities Commission application for an issuance of a Certificate of Good for preferred site designation of the solar siting location.  Jim Merriam graciously allowed questions throughout the presentation as well as at the conclusion.  The Shaw’s provided feedback on their support for the project.  Several area residents noted they were not in favor of the project.
White made a motion to accept Norwich Solar’s request to grant preferred siting designation to their proposed 150 kW solar array on Ridge Rd. Also, to encourage the select board to grant preferred siting. We grant this approval with the intention of thoroughly reviewing the projects compliance with town bylaws once the act 248 application and supporting documentation has been submitted to the Public Utilities Commission.  With no second the motion failed.
For the next meeting the commission will review Sections 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, and 4.16.  As before members will review these sections before the meeting.
No other new/old business was covered.
Next meeting will be February 9th, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
Due to the late hour the meeting was called to close by Chair Zakov at 9:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Jacques