Burleigh Proposal for Subdivision and Conservation Receives Kudos

by Edd Merritt

The Charlotte Planning Commision reviewed the sketch plan for a two-lot subdivision of the Burleigh farm off the southern portion of Spear Street. Joan Allen from the Nature Conservancy spoke to the commission about the proposal at its August 7 meeting. Commission members had visited the 127-acre site, most of which would remain conserved with the exception of two lots. The northerly lot would be retained by the Burleigh family with a Vermont Land Trust conservation easement, and the southerly lot would be purchased by the Nature Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy is very interested in the property because of the opportunity it presents to preserve a great diversity of plants and associated wildlife. In addition to the statewide bodies involved in the negotiation, the local Charlotte Land Trust and the Lewis Creek Association also participated.
While the proposed usage of the land seemed commendable to the commission, several members felt the question of how to provide parking for public access to Nature Conservancy land needed to be resolved.
Commission member Ellie Russell commented on some of the possible solutions that she had gathered from the site visit. The Nature Conservancy did not recommend plans for parking in its proposal. However, according to Allen, her group was willing to work toward a solution. She felt that an assessment of use in order to determine a required capacity would be helpful before putting a plan in place.
Audience member Linda Hamilton from the town’s Conservation Commission said this proposal should serve as a “poster child” for further conservation projects. She thanked both the Nature Conservancy and the Planning Commission.
In addition to the Burleigh proposal, the commission broached the subject of “cafés” in town and what, in fact, constitutes the definition. New owners of the Charlotte Berry Farm are interested in expanding their operations by adding a “tea room/café.”
Are cafés the same as “restaurants,” members asked? Administrator Dean Bloch said that they currently fall under the restaurant label, which is not an allowable institution in rural zoning districts, and the town may wish to consider a revision for planning purposes. Planning and Zoning Administrator Tom Mansfield affirmed that a café – generally considered to be something less than a restaurant – doesn’t fit within current regulations. Bloch noted that such a proposal would still require review for a “Conditional Use” permit as well as a site-plan assessment.
In light of the discussion about a growing desire in town for greater diversity in commercial enterprises, Linda Radimer suggested that the Planning Commission, Selectboard, conservation groups and townspeople in general would benefit from a cohesive and comprehensive plan for land use in Charlotte. Commission members and audience agreed with her rationale.