Planning Commission reviews targeted edits to open-space zoning language

The Town of Starksboro Planning Commission on June 4 reviewed a set of proposed changes to the open-space provisions of the zoning bylaws. Member Dan Nugent walked the commission through multiple, specific edits to section 358 intended to clarify how required open space is calculated and how phased development is described.

Nugent proposed, among other changes, that “In 358.F Phased Development change “entire parcel” to “Proposed PUD Lot.” He also recommended revising 358.G to allow a lot to be “up to twice as large as the district minimum,” add “like condominiums” to subsection (2), and reference the charts in section 241 in subsection (3). For 358.H he suggested removing subitems (1) and (2) while retaining 2a and rewriting the section so that the size of required open space is determined by referencing section 211.a and subtracting each proposed lot size in the PUD from the required lot size in the chart; the remaining acreage would be combined to produce the required open space and must be shown on the final plat.

Commission members did not vote on the text on June 4. Member Luke McCarthy was asked to prepare an edited draft incorporating Nugent’s changes; the commission scheduled review and a planned vote on the revised language at its June 18 meeting.