Conservation Commission

Montpelier Conservation Commission Minutes February 19, 2015 Attendees: Chris Hilke, Shawn White, Ben Eastwood, JD Fox, Geoff Beyer, James Brady, Emily Byrne, Charles Hohn, Roy Schiff, Mike Miller (Planning Department), Emily Bodecker (Parks Commission)  Mike Miller, City Planner o Stormwater Master Plan  ERP funded, consultant RFP pending  MS4 expected  Would like MCC to review plan and be involved in process  Group interested in assisting and will add to agenda  Currently no stormwater requirements with zoning o Flood Hazard Regulations  Fall 2015 project to update regs.  Would like MCC assistance  Group interested in assisting and will add to agenda o Zoning Updates  Interest in protecting wetlands and buffers  Suggest a new wetland map is a good idea to pursue  MCC needs to review target resource overlay  Simplify  Prioritize variables  Growth Center review pending, possibly in 2016  Sabin’s Pasture  Cannot zone out development rights  Perhaps phase zoning  Decision to make high density based on rough proximity to downtown and not considering past planning  Commission is still interested in implementing TPL plan that offers a mix of housing and a park  Tentative meeting planned for March or April to review zoning maps with the Planning Commission  Emily Bodecker, Parks Commission o Reviewed the Park Greenprint  Goal is for all neighborhoods to have access to parks  Recreation for all ages  Connect to neighboring trails and natural areas o Possible trail easement between Lane Shops and Cummings Street o Perhaps make an MCC / parks joint map o Re-visit target resource overlay map in relation to Greenprint  MCC Mission / Charge edits. Final edits next meeting.  Whitewater Park updates o Remove Rat Dam on North Branch and Baily Dam o Access to river part of plan o Aquatic organism passage as well o Naturalize flows o City Council interested, yet others not o Project put off until 2016 o Invite to meeting to learn more  Conservation Survey summary sheets edited. Finals to be reviewed at next meeting.  VT Cleanwater Action Coalition o H.33 introduced. o Email David Deen for testimony in house.  Emerald ash borer o Interest in presentation and further discussion