Weathersfield Planning Commission Meeting - September 3, 2025

The Weathersfield Planning Commission met on September 3, 2025, to discuss several land use and planning items, including duplex and multifamily dwelling regulations, interim bylaws for campground standards, the town plan survey, future land use maps, and the Natural Scenic and Historic Resources chapter. The meeting included public testimony and resulted in several votes and directives.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Colin Oliver, a local resident and builder, testified in support of allowing triplexes in the RR1 district. He described his own project needing a triplex to efficiently house family members and future farm workers, emphasizing construction efficiencies and the need for more housing. He noted his parcel has sufficient acreage and soils for septic.
• DeForest (speaker from the public) provided background on the Crown Point Road, explaining its status as a class four town highway and the role of the Crown Point Road Association. He noted that the earlier ancient roads process aimed to preserve the road for its historic nature but that maintenance should involve the highway superintendent and landowner coordination.
• The chair also made a public notice regarding a burn ban in effect until further notice.

Discussion Items

• Duplex and Multifamily Dwellings in RR1 District: Land Use Administrator Ryan presented a preliminary discussion on whether to amend bylaws to allow multifamily dwellings (triplexes, etc.) in the Rural Residential 1 district, currently limited to single-family homes (with duplexes mandated by state statute). Board members expressed general support for allowing higher density in appropriate areas, noting that soil capacity would be a limiting factor. The board acknowledged that this issue would be revisited once the town plan is readopted.
• Interim Bylaw for Campground Standards: Ryan shared correspondence with VLCT indicating that interim bylaws may be permissible even with an expired town plan, but recommended consulting the town attorney. Board members expressed skepticism that campground deck/awning regulations constituted an emergency. After discussion, the board voted to table the campground discussion until receiving an attorney's opinion on the validity of interim bylaws.
• Town Plan Survey Feedback: The board briefly reviewed survey results, noting strong public interest in communication via Facebook and Front Porch Forum. Ryan was asked to distribute the survey data in Excel format for reference during town plan work.
• Future Land Use Map: Ryan presented maps comparing the 2017 future land use map, the regional commission's draft, and the board's 2025 draft. Key points of discussion included the regional map's use of categories like "rural conservation" and "rural agriculture and forestry," which did not align with local parcels or conservation easements. The board expressed frustration with the regional map's inaccuracies and lack of clear definitions. Ryan was directed to obtain detailed category definitions from the regional commission and to invite regional planners to a future meeting. The board also debated the extent of the "village edge" boundary for Ascutney and Perkinsville, with some members favoring a broader inclusion of adjacent neighborhoods and others preferring to maintain separation. The term "growth area" was questioned; Ryan suggested renaming to "neighborhood" to avoid conflict with regional definitions.
• Natural Scenic and Historic Resources Chapter: The board reviewed proposed edits. Specific points included:
  • Removing or restricting the pursuit of a scenic highway designation for Route 131 (from Cavendish line to Golden Ridge Road) due to unknown regulatory implications. Ryan will research the definition and report back.
  • Discussion on the Crown Point Road section (6.3). After debate, the board agreed to replace detailed provisions with a general statement acknowledging its historic significance and directing the Select Board to consider landowner participation when maintaining the road, consistent with the class four road policy.
  • Edits regarding water resources language were accepted as clarifying.
  • The board decided not to wait for conservation commission data on scenic resources to avoid delays, leaving existing language in place.
• Future Agenda Items: Members were assigned chapters of the town plan for revision. Ryan noted he would have land use chapter updates ready by the next meeting. The housing and economic chapters may require a separate dedicated meeting due to their complexity.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes of August 4, 2025, were approved unanimously by voice vote.
• Motion to Table Campground Discussion: Passed unanimously. The campground interim bylaw discussion is tabled pending an opinion from the town attorney on the legality of interim bylaws with an expired town plan.
• Directives to Staff:
  • Ryan will obtain definitions of regional land use categories and request regional planners attend a future meeting.
  • Ryan will research the regulatory implications of scenic highway designations for Route 131 and report back.
  • Ryan will distribute town plan survey results in an Excel summary to board members.
  • Board members will prepare drafts of assigned town plan chapters for upcoming meetings.
• The board decided to leave the scenic highway designation language in the chapter pending further research, rather than striking it.