Village panel clears Congregation Astila to seek planning board review for Beatrix Road worship site

The Village of Vermont Community Design Review Committee on March 11 reviewed Congregation Astila’s application for a freestanding place of worship at 2 Beatrix Road and agreed the applicant may submit to the Planning Board after addressing traffic, fire access and zoning requirements.

Committee members said the project is located in the R-40 zone and does not require a special permit because the proposed building footprint is under 10,000 square feet. Planning staff calculated that the project requires 54 parking spaces but that the current plan shows 25; committee members said variances will be required for parking, minimum front and side-yard setbacks and maximum development coverage.

Applicants responded that they had revised plans since an earlier review to show an ADA-accessible walkway, a relocated handicapped parking space at the primary entrance and additional parking along the Beatrix side. The committee and staff agreed the next submissions must include a traffic analysis, clarified turning radii for fire apparatus, and documentation addressing fire department requests (including showing building heights and apparatus access). Planning staff said the village’s practice is to require a full traffic study for projects of this scale because of the site’s proximity to a busy intersection.

Committee members also reviewed two fire‑department memos. The fire inspector requested the building eave height be shown on plans and asked that the applicant demonstrate that a 20‑ton tower ladder (outrigger span 19 feet, 1 inch) can access parking and the rear of the building; the committee asked the applicant to coordinate with the fire department on turning radii and vehicle access. Staff noted that if the building is sprinklered it affects certain distance and standpipe requirements, and that a hydrant within 600 feet is required for some conditions.

Members agreed the applicant should pursue the village Planning Board notice of intent and suggested starting the Planning Board workshop process while the traffic study is completed so comments can be addressed without losing time. The committee confirmed the applicant must also prepare materials required by engineering review, including signed and stamped documents and any MS4 acceptance forms where applicable.

If the applicant submits required materials and the traffic study, the committee indicated it is acceptable to move forward to the Planning Board for public review; no formal vote was recorded at the design review meeting.

The applicant was given the Planning Board submission schedule and advised that additional agency comments may be required during planning board review.