Pittsfield Selex Tweak Development Bylaws
Ordinance Readied for TM Vote

The following report is a summary of minutes provided to The Herald.

More than 20 Pittsfield residents attended the selectboard’s January 24 public hearing on proposed Pittsfield development bylaws that will be voted on Town Meeting Day.

Selectboard member Suana Bicek noted the planning commission held its hearing on the proposed bylaws September 13. After that hearing, changes were made and the draft was forwarded to the selectboard for review and another public hearing. Zoning Administrator Sarah Gray and TRORC representative Pete Fellows were available to answer questions.

Although the selectboard, by law, could adopt the bylaws without a public vote, the Pittsfield board has opted to put it to a town vote Town Meeting Day.

Attendees at the January 24 hearing raised a variety of issues.

One resident suggested that the section on "Protection of Home Occupations," specifically the subsection which addresses the number of employees, might restrict, instead of protect these enterprises. An example was given of a disabled employer who required extra help.

It was explained that boundary lines for Conservation Forest Reserves follow the property lines where appropriate.

Boundary determinations for different areas are determined by topography and general property ownership. A section in the bylaws specifically addresses land that falls into different criteria (meadow areas, wetlands, etc.).

A resident asked if there would be tax adjustments made to properties that are now limited in some way, by the bylaws. Peter Fellows said that there are two views to this, that land values would be less due to them now being considered undevelopable, but also that they could increase the value of the property by being limited in development.

In a question about "grandfathering" current uses, it was noted that future proposals, for example sub-dividing a property, may need to go before the review board, unless something had been recorded prior to enactment of the bylaws.

The five-foot residential front setback minimum was questioned. It was recommended that the figure be changed to 30 feet, which was the original intent—that is, 25 feet from the centerline plus five feet.

Fellows, noting that waivers can be considered, encouraged that the measurement be taken from the centerline. The selectboard will discuss this at its February 5 meeting.

The selectboard will also consider Fellows’ recommendation of adding a stand-alone section on trails.

A participant said that zoning can be a two-edged sword, in that although it does have limitations, it can also protect properties. He thanked planning commission members for their hard work in preparing this document and hoped people would take everything into consideration when they cast their vote.

Bicek said that all changes to the bylaws would be posted on the town website, www.pittsfield
vt.org, and available in the town clerk’s office.

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