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Shelburne Planning Commission directs revisions to Town Plan chapters on historic resources and economic development
Summary
The commission asked staff and the Community & Economic Development Committee to correct historic-site listings, evaluate archaeological mapping, update the Design Review Overlay, and restructure economic development policy to clarify public–private roles; it also noted a state law extending municipal plan expiration dates and a new planner hire.
Shelburne Planning Commission on June 25 reviewed Chapters 3 and 4 of the draft Town Plan and directed staff and the Community & Economic Development Committee (CEDC) to revise language on historic resources, archaeological sensitivity, the Design Review Overlay and economic development.
The action came during a workshop on the Town Plan. Aaron DeNamur, the town’s Director of Planning & Zoning, said he will correct the plan’s text about which sections of Shelburne are officially registered as historic sites, landmarks or districts. Chunka Mui, a meeting participant, urged the town to continue supporting museums and historical sites as part of heritage preservation and tourism planning. Commissioners asked staff to evaluate including archaeologically sensitive areas on the plan’s maps and to update the Design Review Overlay to reduce ambiguity in applying design standards.
Commissioners proposed renaming Chapter 4 to "Community & Economic Development" to better reflect cross-cutting issues between quality of life and economic opportunity. The commission emphasized that available infrastructure capacity — specifically water, sewer and schools — should be made clearer in the plan so potential developers and the public understand constraints and opportunities. Art Friedman, a meeting participant, said identifying developable parcels and placemaking strategies will help target investments.
The commission agreed to reorganize the Economic Development paragraph to define operational boundaries and shared responsibilities between public and private sectors. Commissioners directed the CEDC to draft revised policy statements for the remaining sections of that paragraph and to rewrite the plan’s Recommended Actions so they better support CEDC work and Experience Shelburne initiatives.
Under other business, DeNamur said the Planning Commission will meet next on July 9 and that staff will host a July 23 presentation from Anne Nelson Stoner and Maya Balassa of the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission on public-engagement findings for the Town Plan. He also reported that the Governor signed S.325, extending any municipal plan in the state with a 2026 or 2027 expiration to Dec. 31, 2027, and that the new Development Review Planner is scheduled to start July 6.
Votes at a glance
• Approval of agenda — Motion by Pam Brangan; second by Jeff Hodgson. Outcome: passed, 4-0.
• Approval of minutes (May 28, 2026) — Motion by Jeff Hodgson; second by Tom Karlhuber. Outcome: passed, 4-0.
• Adjournment — Motion by Tom Karlhuber; second by Jeff Hodgson. Outcome: passed, 4-0.
The Planning Commission will reconvene on July 9 to continue the Town Plan review; staff also scheduled the July 23 presentation of public-engagement findings.
