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Wetland mapping prompts alternate building envelopes; biologist review planned in spring 2026
Summary
Applicants for the Long subdivision told the board that a Class 2 wetland shown on the Vermont Natural Resources Atlas may not be present in the proposed building area; they submitted two envelope options and plan a wetland delineation in spring 2026 to determine whether Envelope A or the smaller Envelope B will be used.
During the Jan. 6 Fayston Development Review Board hearing, presenter Gunner McCain told members that the Vermont Natural Resources Atlas shows a Class 2 wetland near the proposed building envelope but that the project team did not observe the wetland during site visits.
McCain provided two mapping options: Envelope A (the larger envelope that assumes no wetland) and Envelope B (a smaller easterly-shifted envelope constrained by the wetland buffer). "The wetland depicted in the vicinity of the proposed building envelope appears on the Vermont Natural Resource Atlas, but it was not observed during various site visits done in preparation with these plans. The site will be reviewed by a wetland biologist in the spring of 2026, and no excavation work will occur in the depicted wetland or buffer until the wetland evaluation delineation has been completed," McCain said.
Board member Beth Eisenhower asked whether the mapped feature was a pond or wetland; McCain said the nearby pond was constructed in the early 2000s and received a town permit and that he reviewed the town permitting file with no mention of wetlands at that time. McCain said if the biologist determines no wetland is present, Envelope A would become the approved envelope; if a wetland is confirmed, Envelope B would apply and constrain the eastern edge of the building envelope.
The applicants told the board they would not undertake excavation within the depicted wetland or buffer before a formal delineation, and they discussed filing options so the board's required mylar could reflect the appropriate envelope or include insets until the wetland determination is complete.
