Danville Vermont             

                                                Minutes of Monthly Meeting

                            Danville Planning Commission

28 August 2003

Attendees:            Ginny Frye                             Absent:           Mitch Gordon

                        Jeff Frampton                                                          Jeremy McMullen

                        Derek Fenby                          

                        Jim Ashley                          Guests:                       None

                        Mike Smith                                                               

Start:               Meeting opened at 7:00 pm

Previous Minutes:

Read by the Clerk and accepted by the DPC as written.

Public Hearings:       

Invitation for Public Discussion on the future of “Commercial Wind Towers and Wind Farms within Danville Town Limits” was advertised in the Caledonia Record on the 21^st and 22^nd of August 2003. Sixteen (16) people provided comment to the DPC on their views and concerns.

The views and concerns can be summarized as follows;

·         Sighting and scale are important to Danville,

·         Perhaps new technology could be developed that would permit generating electricity with smaller wind towers (100 feet +/-) and could be sighted in places that were not as visible,

·         We should understand what the long term economic benefits would be for the Town with regards to tax income and livable wage permanent jobs,

·         Will property values be affected negatively and what financial impact would that have on property taxes collected,

·         We must be careful to take the time to make the right decision for the Town,

·         We should not close our minds on wind power, but should move forward with the interim bylaw to protect our scenic areas while we develop our new Town plan,

·         Would be important for the Public Service Board to understand in advance the Town’s position should an application be made to develop commercial wind towers and wind farms in Danville,

The DPC presented a “Policy Position” and “Interim Bylaw” that was drafted based on the vision of the current Town Plan and supported by the feedback received in the ongoing “2003 Danville Landowners Survey” Both were explained and discussed.

Based on the feedback from the Public Discussion and supported by the current Town Plan and 2003 Landowners Survey, the DPC agreed to adopt the “Policy Position” and submit the “Interim Bylaw” with some minor clarifications to the Select Board for approval.

New Business:

 DPC to reconcile Planning Commission expenses to date against the grant. Derek to coordinate with Mitch and provide Mert Leonard with an update.

 Plan Preparation Update:

 “Rural Land Use”  Organization meeting for a local “Woodlands for Wildlife” chapter of Vermont Coverts held 26 August 2003. It was agreed that some of the efforts of this group would benefit the planning process and they would be willing to work with the DPC to provide content for the new plan. For more info, contact Jeff Frampton.

 “Environmental Protection” Nothing new to report. For more info, contact Jim Ashley.

 “Transportation & Communication”  Two (2) working group meetings held. Additional  meetings will be scheduled with six (6) people. Once all meetings are complete, DPC will be updated. For more info, contact Jeremy McMullen.

 “Human Services” Update not available. For more info, contact Mitch Gordon.

 “Economic Development”  Derek has had some preliminary working group meetings and will solicit public input on “Economic Development” and “Village Designation” at the next DPC scheduled meeting 25 September 2003. An advertisement will be put into the Caledonia Record. For more info, contact Derek Fenby.

 “Recreation & Public Facilities” Nothing new to report. For more info, contact Mike Smith.

 Previous Action Items:

 Action items will be discussed at September meeting.

 Close:                                     Meeting was closed at 9:14 pm.  

 Next Meeting:                     Thursday 25 September 2003, 7:00 pm

Send mail to Mert.Leonard@DanvilleVt.com with questions or comments about this web site.