Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fayston DRB deems Morel conditional-use application complete amid stream-buffer questions
Summary
The Fayston Development Review Board deemed Application #3919 (Morel) complete after hearing that the proposed house site and water line require a stream crossing and limited disturbance; board members pressed the applicant's representative on buffers, steep slopes and construction methods.
The Fayston Development Review Board on Jan. 7, 2025, deemed Application #3919 (Morel) complete following a presentation on a proposed house site and water line that would cross a stream. George McCain, speaking on behalf of the applicant, described plans to relocate the house site off German Flats Road, adjacent to The White Horse Inn, and to construct a water line from an adjacent lot with an existing drilled well.
"There will be no clearing or site disturbances (other than the water line) within the 50 foot buffer on either side of the stream," McCain told the board, and he said the old house site on the lot would be abandoned. He described the proposed building envelope as "5400 sf +/-," well under the town's example maximum of 25,000 square feet for a building envelope on the parcel.
Board members questioned whether the house site could be shifted to avoid steep slopes and asked about methods for installing the water line under the stream. McCain said the lot has constraints on all sides that limit shifting the envelope, and that temporarily diverting the stream during a dry period could be less disturbing than boring; he estimated the diversion would be required for about one day and that a concrete surround would protect both the line and the stream.
Zoning Administrator Jason Wilson clarified permitting steps: McCain confirmed a wastewater-permit amendment will be required and stated there are no Act 250 issues. Wilson also advised that when the third house is added the existing driveway serving the first two houses will be converted to a private road and "the owners will need to discuss a name."
The board formally moved through procedural steps: Jim Donkersloot moved to deem the application complete; Chair Daniel Young seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The public hearing was closed later the same night after a short public comment period. The board said it will continue deliberation and any final determination on approval after further review and any required permit steps.
Next steps noted during the meeting included the wastewater-permit amendment and the need to finalize erosion-control measures, including silt fence placement and the limit of disturbance along the downhill side of the proposed site. The application record will reflect the board's determination that the application, as presented, is complete and ready for subsequent review stages.
