Conservation Commission

Meeting Minutes of the Montpelier Conservation Commission September 12, 2013 Attendees: Karen Freeman, Mary Harbaugh, Geoff Beyer, Chris Hilke, Shawn White, Mahima Poreddy, Roy Schiff  Welcome to Mahima.  Review copy of June minutes as meeting progressed. Approved at the end of meeting.  Request new list of commissioners with term dates.  Berlin Pond o Reviewed article to get back up to speed. o Commission to support ban on all petroleum products. o Continue to be against recreation to protect water supply and to preserve special natural area. o Contact will be made with Warren Kitzmiller to share opinions and inquire about next steps. Geoff to call Warren and report back to group. o Main question is what to do about water supply as we have no backup.  Zoning updates o Discussed mandatory clustering and commission seemed to remain in favor of incentive based zoning. Still interested in creating system for thoughtful development. Main question is how do we make it work. o Invite several developers to meeting to review ideas and seek guidance. Information exchange would be helpful. o Chris to reach out to Tim Heeney to invite and seek others to invite.  Target Resource Overlay Map o Getting some use in Planning Department o Seemed confusing to use/implement o Discussed how the map is not comprehensive since it omits values such as passive heating potential, views/vistas, and distance to services. The map is macro rather than micro scale. o Perhaps simplify map and add on list of criteria to be addressed. o We need ideas for moving this forward that could inform zoning. o Infill is key, and that is often achieved by clustering. o Look at Tier 1 only (do this by clicking layers off in PDF map).  Conservation survey o 350 completed and received o Voter list must be out of date o Initial results to be available likely next meeting o Suggestion to write a formal thank you letter for the project once complete. o MCC to look at initial results and ask additional questions for possible consideration.  Strategic Plan Update o Sending out 2011 plan. Seek to update this. Build from Mary’s highlights from Master Plan that she will send out.  Lands to Conserve 1  o Would like to make a list of top 10 areas to conserve. Look at maps at parcels we know have high conservation value. Review key features. Identify parcels and landowners in the event a conservation transaction comes up in the future.  Association of Conservation Commissions o Meeting Saturday October 5th in Bradford o MCC to pay fees for our attendees o Roy to sign up and pay dues o Check out list serve.  SUMMARY OF TASKS o Karen: Post June minutes on web; Association of Conservation Commission meeting updates. o Geoff: Contact Warren Kitzmiller on Berlin Pond. o Chris: Contact Tim Heeney on conservation zoning information exchange. o Mary: Send out highlights from master plan. o Roy: Sign up for Association of Conservation Commissions, send out TROD map, touch base with Gwen on zoning schedule and our ideas, contact Sandy on Commissioner terms, check in with Sandra on budget. o Mahima: Send updates on conservation survey as things progress. o All: review minutes and send Roy edits; review strategic plan and send edits. 2