Planning Commission continues public hearing on Callen house relocation at Frost Pond Road

The Town of Dorset Planning Commission on Sept. 3 continued a public hearing on an application by the Callens to relocate a house on Frost Pond Road after commissioners said they lacked required plans and studies to evaluate disturbance of steep slopes.

Frank Parent presented the application on behalf of the Callens and supplied a letter from the town fire chief stating the department "would be able to provide fire protection for the house in the new, proposed location." Chair Gay Squire told the commission that the proposed house site and driveway would disturb slopes governed by bylaw section 3017 and that the board needed to determine whether the proposal met the nine criteria in that section before it could be reviewed under sections 4309, 4312, and 4304. The minutes also quote bylaw section 3017.D(1): "siting in order to capture a view will not be considered a valid reason to develop steep slopes."

Commissioners said the application was missing an environmental impact assessment, an erosion control plan, a stormwater management plan, and/or an engineered site plan; Parent said he could provide those materials. The board suggested alternate building‑envelope sites south of the proposed location. Vice Chair Scott Thompson moved and Commissioner Kit Wallace seconded a motion to continue the public hearing to Oct. 1, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.; the motion carried 6–0–0.

The commission will reassess the application at its Oct. 1 meeting after the applicants submit the requested plans and any revised siting options. The audio/video recording and application materials are kept at the Dorset town office.