Raven Ridge Subdivision Approved
February 25, 2010
by Edd Merritt

Planning Commission approves Raven Ridge subdivision.
The final plat application for a subdivision of the Raven Ridge properties now owned by Ed Evarts and Raven Davis came before the Planning Commission. Speaking on behalf of Raven and Ed, Joan Allen presented the changes and additions that were made in response to the commission.

The plan delineates two lots, the larger of which is being conserved for public use. Somewhat complicated by the fact that access to the conserved land is through Monkton off Rotax Road, and that the building envelope for Lot 1 is bisected by the Hinesburg town line, and septic permits for any new system may be required from both Charlotte and Hinesburg, the commissioners nonetheless felt that their requests had been answered and approved the application.

Planning Commission responds to Raphael Report on East Charlotte.

The commission went over Town Planner Dean Bloch’s suggested changes to David Raphael’s East Village report at its last meeting. These focused largely on two issues: 1) a conceptual master plan and 2) the use of the phrase “performance zoning.”

Although a map in the report is referred to as nothing other than conceptual, it drew together things that were not discussed, and, therefore, the commission felt it should not be incorporated in the report. Informational maps that were used in the work session would be included, however.

“Performance zoning” should be explained with examples because the phrase was used at meetings. An additional suggestion concerned the use of the term “village.” The commission felt that it would be helpful to distinguish between when it refers to a “general geographic area” and when it describes the “zoning district(s).”

Bloch attached a list of comments from the commission’s workshop on January 26 along with “Action Steps,” some of which appeared in the report and others that were added at the public meeting. These steps included such items as development of a conceptual master plan, description and placement of areas of performance zoning, traffic calming, opportunities for investment entities, provisions for future housing, identifying ways to create agriculture-based jobs, a mapping of natural resources, defining the limits of the village, conducting a local census of buildings and people, and creating an East Charlotte “steering committee” to help the Planning Commission work with residents.

Noting that there is, as yet, nothing to steer, resident Linda Hamilton suggested that “Task Force” may be a more appropriate title.