Short agenda seen by Hinesburg DRB

By Gail Callahan

On Tuesday, Sept. 2, the Hinesburg Development Review Board (DRB) considered, and later approved, an application submitted by Katharine Riley, who explained her project with assistance from architect John Linn. Riley asked the panel to approve a conditional use permit for replacement of a non-complying structure on Southwest Shore Road sitting in the Shoreline Zoning District.

Riley plans on replacing an existing, single-story home with a new home with a smaller footprint. The existing home is on piers, has no frost wall, and the deck ends a “couple of feet” from the shoreline.

Riley’s vision for the new structure includes “pulling” the new building farther away from the lake, and possibly a garage. She also told the Board the house is a year-round residence.

After the presentation, The Hinesburg Planning and Zoning staff mentioned that Riley’s application wasn’t warned with the proper amount of time in a local newspaper. The Planning and Zoning staff contacted Vermont League of Cities and Town about the oversight, and the body informed Hinesburg officials the issue didn’t violate the Board’s Sept. 2 decision.

Redstone/Catamount/Malone

Larry Williams presented plans for a Conditional Use permit and Site Plan review for a Vermont 116 property in the Industrial Zoning District to the Board.  The project consists of parking, expansion of an existing business, and the addition of storage and office space.

Between the application submission to the Planning and Zoning office and the actual hearing date, the inclusion of a fitness center with proposed parking for the site was dropped, citing financial concerns. Williams informed the Board developers were seeking a “less intensive” use for the area,” he said.

According to new plans considered by town officials, improvements to a small parking lot located near the entrance to the area, along with the majority of existing parking spots, will be unchanged until developers decide on use for the empty space. At the same time, Williams asked for additional time to make a decision on use of the space.

Meanwhile, a proposal to add 30 parking spaces in the rear of the building for employee parking was also mentioned.

Following the discussion, the Board told Williams the proposal should be re-worked, showcasing a better use of the space. DRB members also encouraged Williams to examine existing areas for employee parking, closer to a main entrance, enabling a safer pathway for pedestrians.

Hinesburgh Public House business owner, Will Pattern, criticized the existing parking that sits to the right of the entrance, noting “it’s not intuitive” and called for it to be “fixed.”

Williams was open to re-working the employee parking scheme, agreeing to return for review of another proposal during the Oct. 14 meeting.

In other business:

The DRB rejected certain portions of Haystack Crossing, but developer Benjamin Avery hopes to work with town officials, paving the way for the construction of the proposal.

Avery appeared before the panel numerous times this year, while Hinesburg residents voiced concern about use of green space, adequate local infrastructure to meet the development’s needs and energy conservation. Right now, Avery is proposing to build 225 housing units, commercial space, and senior housing along Shelburne Falls Road, west of Vermont 116.