Welcome to Leicester, VT

Agenda for Leicester Planning Commission

 

Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the Town Office at 6:00 p.m.

 

Call to Order

Roll Call

Approve Previous Minutes

ACRPC Municipal Planning Consultation

Town Plan Discussion

Plan next Steps, next meeting date

Adjourn

 

 

Leicester Planning Commission Meeting Minutes (unapproved)

Tuesday, May 13, 2025,   6:10 p.m. Town Office

Present: Members Jay Michael, Donna Swinington (Chair); Diane Benware (Selectboard Chair), Lyndsay D'Avignon (Alternate), Julie Delphia (Town Clerk & Treasurer), Rebecca Elder (ACRPC)

Meeting called to order by Chair Donna Swinington, followed by roll call. Introductions were made.

Previous minutes were read.  Diane motioned to approve, Jay seconded, board approved.

Rebecca presented individuals with hardcopies of ACRPC’s Municipal Consultation Hearing requirements.  Rebecca informed members that Leicester had not been selected to receive the Municipal Planning Grant.  ACRPC requires two check ins during the process of updating the Town Plan and those present agreed that ACRPC will be consulted only for the most essential aspects of the Town Plan Update.

Present individuals discussed Leicester’s local planning needs and where it is believed ACRPC can be most helpful.  It was agreed that Leicester will need more help around planning flood resiliency and forest blocks.  There was discussion about Leicester’s economic development, particularly Leicester General Store and potential, hypothetical, future municipal absorption of Otter Creek Academy (formerly Leicester Central School) property.  Municipal income from zoning fees must be addressed, as the Town does not charge a sufficient rate.

Rebecca asked how ACRPC can support the municipality in terms of training.  It was agreed that all officials, employees, and volunteers of the municipality of Leicester would benefit from round table opportunities and informational meetings coordinated by ACRPC.  Present individuals welcome available learning opportunities and discussions with other municipalities in Addison County.

Discussion regarding Leicester’s Zoning Permitting was brief.  Individuals agreed to prioritize working with partner organizations on a vision for conserving lands and lake areas.  It was agreed that the charm of Leicester is it’s “bedroom community” aesthetic; residents and Planning Commission Board Members, alike, prefer to maintain Leicester’s current rural development patterns with controlled growth.

Rebecca presented the second draft of the proposed FLU Map.  Julie urged a reassessment of this draft’s proposed conservation land areas.  Julie pointed out the growing difficulties landowners face when it comes to developing their land.  It was agreed that Leicester does not want to excessively decrease the kinds of modifications landowners can make to their property, nor does the municipality agree with creating unnecessary obstacles for making such modifications.  It was requested that the cartographers re-draft proposed FLU Maps.

NEXT STEPS:

Rebecca will follow up with resources to clarify as many of the concerns as possible, and will return to the next meeting with any concrete answers obtained.

Members will continue to read/review the current plan and make notes, write down questions and suggestions.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, June 24, 2025; 6:30 PM at Leicester Town Office

Meeting adjourned at 7:29 PM, motioned by Lyndsay, seconded by Jay, board approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Lyndsay D’Avignon, Planning Commission Alternate