Planning Commission Reporting Form
for Municipal Bylaw Amendments

This report is in accordance with 24 V.S.A. §4441 (c) which states:

“When considering an amendment to a bylaw, the planning commission shall prepare and approve a written report on the proposal. A single report may be prepared so as to satisfy the requirements of this subsection concerning bylaw amendments and subsection 4384(c) of this title concerning plan amendments.…. The report shall provide(:)

(A) brief explanation of the proposed bylaw, amendment, or repeal and ….include a statement of purpose as required for notice under section §4444 of this title,

The proposed bylaw amendments are a re-write of the zoning regulations and the addition of subdivision regulations.

The purposes of the proposed amendments are to:

• Encourage the appropriate and efficient use of all lands in the Town of Middlesex in a manner which promotes and protects public health, safety and the general welfare of the community;
• Facilitate the adequate and efficient provision of public facilities and services;
• Implement the Middlesex Town Plan as most recently amended;
• Integrate all administrative and regulatory provisions of zoning and subdivision regulations as authorized by the Vermont Planning and Development Act (24 V.S.A. Chapter 117) into a single set of regulations;
• Further the goals and purposes established in the Act; and
• Protect the individual property rights of landowners to the extent consistent with the other purposes of these regulations as stated above

(A)nd shall include findings regarding how the proposal:

1. Conforms with or furthers the goals and policies contained in the municipal plan, including the effect of the proposal on the availability of safe and affordable housing:

The proposed regulations further the goals and policies in the Middlesex Town Plan by including provisions that will:

• Preserve the Town’s rural character – through provisions for subdivision review and changes to the densities and site plan and greater flexibility in lot sizes in rural areas
• Provide opportunities for a range of housing types, including affordable housing, commensurate with the projected need for housing in the future – through greater flexibility for lot sizes in rural areas and higher density development in areas closer to the Village
• Protect the environment, including water, forests, and wildlife & the health and safety of residents– through subdivision review, changes to the density and lot sizes in rural areas and addition of fluvial hazard overlay district, pond construction standards;
• Maintain property values and property rights & cost effective tax supported services – through allowing greater flexibility in lot sizes and provisions to protect rural features and provide greater opportunities for development in areas with greater access to public facilities;
• Opportunities for residents to have good jobs & support home businesses – through better defined industrial, mixed-use and home occupation provisions;

2. Is compatible with the proposed future land uses and densities of the municipal plan:

The proposed regulations allow for development compatible with rural features in the rural areas by managing the density of development and allowing flexibility in lot sizes and encouraging the use of Planned Residential Developments that will allow protection of agriculture, recreation and forest resources. The mixed use district allows a range of development that is compatible with the Village but will maintain the Village as the commercial center of town. Areas near the Village and areas nearer paved roads provide for greater density than rural areas.

3. Carries out, as applicable, any specific proposals for any planned community facilities.”

None are specifically provided for in the Middlesex Town Plan.

Please Note:

• The planning commission shall hold at least one public hearing within the municipality after public notice on any proposed bylaw, amendment or repeal and;.

• At least 15 days prior to the first hearing, a copy of the proposed plan or amendment and the written report shall be delivered with proof of the receipt, or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, to each of the following:

1. the chairperson of the planning commission of each abutting municipality, or in the absence of any planning commission in an abutting municipality, to the clerk of that abutting municipality;
2. the executive director of the regional planning commission of the area in which the municipality is located;
3. the department of housing and community affairs within the agency of commerce and community development.

• The planning commission may make revisions to the proposed bylaw, amendment, or repeal and to the written report, and shall then submit the proposed bylaw, amendment or repeal and the written report to the legislative body of the municipality.
   
• Simultaneously, with the submission, the planning commission shall file with the clerk of the municipality a copy of the proposed bylaw, amendment, or repeal, and the written report for public review.

DHCA
6/04

Copyright 8 2003-2007 Town of Middlesex, Vermont. All rights reserved.