Rutland planning commissioners schedule Oct. 2 hearing for Baird–Levins boundary line adjustment

The Rutland Town Planning Commission voted unanimously on Sept. 11 to schedule a public hearing Oct. 2 on a proposed boundary line adjustment transferring a portion of a 7.8‑acre parcel owned by the Bairds to an adjacent 14‑acre Levins lot. The proposal would increase the Levins parcel by about 2 acres and leave the remainder of the seller’s parcel at “a little bit more than 5 acres,” according to discussion during the meeting. The applicant and owners attended remotely and were asked to provide a recorded survey plat before the hearing.

Why it matters: boundary line adjustments change official property descriptions, recorded deeds and what portions of land are subject to future development. Commissioners said they need a formal survey and a recorded deed showing the combined parcel before they can finalize any approval.

Discussion: Carol Baird, identified in materials as an owner of an adjacent parcel, described the plan and said the parcel proposed for transfer is the red‑hatched 7.8‑acre lot shown on maps provided to the commission. An applicant representative said the transfer would “add approximately 2 acres” to the Levins lot and that the remaining portion would be slightly more than 5 acres. Commission members raised technical questions about bearings, distances, utility easements and wet areas along Keys Creek.

Commission concern focused on documentation. Commissioner Howard (Planning commissioner) and others said the commission did not yet have a full, recorded survey plat showing the new boundary and asked the applicant to provide a single deed that “goes all the way around” the adjusted parcel and a full survey map prepared by the surveyor who produced the earlier drawing. Commission staff confirmed the town requires a survey drawing with bearings, distances, north arrow and scale, and that the plat must show public utilities, utility easements, roads, watercourses, ledge and steep slopes if applicable.

Easements and natural features: Commissioners noted a power‑line easement, other utility easements and a steep ledge area near the boundary under discussion, and flagged wet areas and active erosion along Keys Creek. Staff and commissioners asked the applicant to show easements and existing conditions clearly on the survey to determine whether the adjustment affects rights‑of‑way or public facilities.

Direction and next steps: The commission scheduled a warned public hearing for Oct. 2 and asked the applicant to return with a recorded survey plat and an updated deed that incorporates the prior adjustment and the new boundary shift. The commission noted the boundary line adjustment procedure applies only when no additional lot is created; the applicant said this transfer would not create a new lot. There was no final approval of the adjustment at the Sept. 11 meeting.

Meeting context: Commissioners said the town’s preliminary review materials were provided in pieces and stressed that the full certified survey must be on file before a final decision. The commission confirmed the next regular meeting is Oct. 2 and expects the surveyor’s finalized plat to be available then.

Quotes (from meeting): “We wish we had done this at the same time. But, so this is the same property, but Carol Baird owns another parcel that’s adjacent to the Levins lot,” the applicant’s representative said while describing the map. Commissioner Howard asked for a deed that “goes all the way around” the adjusted parcel so the commission could see exactly how the properties will end up. At the close of the motion to set the hearing, the chair called for the vote: “All those in favor, say aye.”

What’s next: The commission will review the recorded survey plat and deed at the Oct. 2 hearing and take public comment before deciding whether to approve the boundary line adjustment. If approved, the town will require the applicant to record the approved plat and deed in the town land records.

Clarification: Commission members emphasized they were not deciding on any subdivision application at the Sept. 11 meeting; the item was limited to whether to warn and hear the boundary line adjustment request.