DRB Notice & Minutes 05-12-26
Town of Leicester
***Notice of Public Hearing***
Leicester Development Review Board
The Leicester Development Review Board will hold a public hearingTuesday, May 12, 2026, at the Leicester Town Office at 6:00 p.m.to consider the following application:
- (26-05 DRB), Application 26-05 DRB of Shaw Kipp & Melinda Bessette, 1697 U.S. Route 7, Leicester, VT, Parcel 020061, for Section 3.7 Waiver of Setback variance for the rear property boundary of approximately 25’ from the district requirement of 50’ for the construction of 40’ x 60’ building that includes 15’ x 40’ one (1) bedroom rental unit and a 40’ x 45’ storage space with a small office.
The parcel is a pre-existing small lot of .7 acres in Residential Agricultural Commercial District.
Applications are available for inspection at the Town Clerk’s Office, 44 Schoolhouse Rd., Leicester, VT during regularly scheduled hours.
Participation in this proceeding is a prerequisite to the right to take any subsequent appeal.
Jeff McDonough
DRB Chairman
April 21, 2026
Town of Leicester
Development Review Board
May 12, 2026
Minutes
Permit Application No. 26-05 DRB
This proceeding involves reviewing an application for Section 3.7 Waiver of Setback submitted by Shaw Kipp & Melinda Bessette, Parcel 020061 for setback variance approval under the Town of Leicester Unified Zoning Bylaws. The application was received by Keith Arlund, Zoning Administrator, on April 20,2026. A copy of application was/is available at Leicester Town Office. The Notice of Hearing was posted at the Leicester Town Office, Leicester Bulletin Board and Town Highway Garage on April 21, 2026.
The application was considered by the Development Review Board at a public hearing on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 6:00PM.
Present were DRB Members Jeff McDonough (chair), Donna Swinington, Jay Michael, & Lyndsay D’Avignon. Also present: Shaw Kipp & Melinda Bessette (applicants).
Meeting was called to order at 6:00PM by DRB Chair, Jeff McDonough, followed by roll call.
Approval of Previous Minutes: motioned by Jay, seconded by Lyndsay, without objection.
Participants were sworn in. Shaw and Melinda described the project of constructing a storage and office facility for their small business. This building will be a non-public unit and will not be designed for public access. The plan adheres to the aesthetic of the Town of Leicester. The 40’ x 60’ building will include a 15’ x 40’ single-bedroom living space and a parking lot to store company vehicles. The building will adhere to setback requirements on the US RT-7 side, as well as on the left and right sides. The rear setback is reduced to 25’, while district standard is 50’.
Applicants stated that they are in good standing with neighbors and were supported by the absence of the adjoining property owners.
It was stated and understood that signage in the zoning district of the parcel (Residential Agricultural Commercial) will require a separate permit application.
Review criteria were addressed and met.
6:13PM attendees were thanked for their participation and dismissed.
6:14PM Lyndsay motioned to enter deliberative session without objection.
Upon cessation of deliberative session, Lyndsay moved to approve permit 26-05 DRB request for Setback Variance Waiver as written. Jay seconded, so approved.
6:18PM Donna motioned to adjourn, seconded by Jay, so approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Lyndsay D’Avignon
