Perisho seek setbacks and steep-slope relief for Village Road home; board hears engineering, drainage and access plans

The Fayston Development Review Board on Aug. 5 heard the Perisho family's application for a single-family dwelling on a 10.1-acre lot on Village Road that requires front-setback relief and authorization to build on slopes greater than 15 percent. Todd Hill, the civil engineer on the project, said the proposed building site lies in the 15% slope range and that most impacts fall on slopes between 15 and 20 percent. He told the board the applicants seek relief from a 65-foot front setback to as close as 45 feet at the nearest point and a reduction in the side-yard setback to 10 feet from the usual 25 feet.

Hill said the replacement leach field is planned as a long-term backup that would not be built until the primary system fails. Kate Jackson, the project's general contractor, described a construction schedule with earthwork this fall (driveway, temporary parking, foundation) and primary water and wastewater installation next summer. Applicants proposed an 18-inch driveway culvert, but board members discussed upsizing the culvert given recent valley conditions. The board asked about potential tree cutting for limited view windows in steep areas; the zoning administrator said any approval would include conditions to leave stumps in steep areas and Jackson confirmed the applicants plan to leave stumps. The board found the application complete and closed the hearing; no final permit decision was recorded at the meeting.