Conservation Commission

Meeting Minutes Montpelier Conservation Commission December 12, 2013  Conservation Survey o Assemble group of 1-sheeters to share results in user-friendly format  Roy to share template for review before next meeting o Topics and assignments  Berlin Pond – Roy (and Mary?)  Climate Change – Chris and Mahima  Natural Resource Protection – Karen and Shawn  Parks and Recreation – Stephanie and Geoff  Planning and Zoning – John (and Ben?)  Sabin’s Pasture o Planning Department consultant to be hired. Perhaps MCC should meet with this person? o Make schedule for Planning Commission meeting attendance.  City Council o Attend meeting for re-introduction once survey 1-sheeters complete o Make meeting schedule for regular attendance  Carr Lot o Committee meeting by Shawn o Group is meeting every week o RFQ our for project manager o Plan is transit center, City, welcome center on 1st floor and developer (Redstone) upper floors o Parking  6 spaces minimum  Based on need o No mention of flooding or floodplain development  Building should be flood-proofed o 4000 SF minimum footprint o Roy gave Shawn past files on Carr Lot. Need to dig up past concept designs. o RFP out and under review. Following edits suggested  Consider floodplain and flood-proofing  Minimize risk of bank erosion with plantings  50/50 natural vegetation and developed surfaces  Plan for public river access  Maintain vegetated buffer  Match character of surrounding buildings  Integrate building and property with bike path 1   Incorporate green infrastructure as possible address stormwater and low- impact development  Exit ramp rock blasting project complete  Consideration of a commercial Styrofoam ban o Done in Albany, NY County o Create more landfill space since Styrofoam does not break down o Seems to fit well with Act148 – Mandatory compost of wet foods o Education is key o Could certify businesses first and then move to City-wide ban o Brochure?  MHS parking lot o Why should state park art high school? Need? o Event overflow problem o Salt/snow to river, metals, oils – Water Quality issue o Any elevation would change flood patterns and loose flood storage o Paving is worst option. Use green infrastructure. No direct drainage to river. o Concern for reduction of recreation options and aesthetics. o Would like to naturalize area, not pave it. o Draft letter to circulate.  MCC newsletter? o Brand MCC o Logo (make some sketches) o Website, front porch forum, facebook, listserv, email? o Meetings, facts, pictures o John to make mock-up o John to look at website to see if this is possible venue for newsletter.  Berlin Pond o Active residents holding meetings o Petition to circulate to restrict recreation  Stephanie to present slide show of MCC/Parks VISTA work  Tasks o Roy – draft MHS letter, draft Berlin Pond fact sheet, email Kris about Carr Lot concepts o John – review website with Karen, newsletter mock-up o Karen – minutes upload, work with John on web ideas o Shawn – share MCC ideas with Carr Lot committee o All – review MHS letter and survey template on Berlin Pond. Edits to annual report. 2