HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Sustainable Agriculture Subcommittee - 02/03/2015SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
3 FEBRUARY, 2015
1
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The Sustainable Agriculture Subcommittee of the Planning Commission held a regular meeting
on the 3rd of February at 7:00pm at Healthy Living Upstairs Conference Room, 222 Dorset Street
Members Present: Rosanne Greco, Sarah Dopp, Rebecca Adams, Allan Strong, Sophie Quest
1. Agenda: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items. None
2. Open to the public for items not related to the agenda. None
3. SusAg committee member announcements: Allan reported on the successful application for a
UVM NR206 team of interns to study the Underwood property and give us a natural resource report of
soils, wildlife, birds. Allan will be the technical advisor for the team. Sophie will ask Betsy Terry if
she has notified City Council. [Note: Betsy will do this after the plan is approved by the instructor.]
Allan notes that there is the possibility of having a summer team through the “Lands” program. It is a
service learning project with the community.
In regard to future educational presentations by Sus/Ag, Becky reported that Janie and Matt, the
chicken people would be delighted to talk about chicken raising. Sophie reported that Travis Marcotte
of the Intervale Center and Ben Waterman of UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture would be glad to
speak to people. Sarah reported that the Vermont Land Trust recommended that we might want to ask
Keith Thompson, City Forester and/or Kate Curley of the Vermont tax department to speak about
Current Use.
4. Discussion of the status of the UVM interns. Sophie reported that Livia will be working with Jess
Hyman, Brianna realized she had too many courses to continue as an intern, Julia was trying to decide
what she needed to do and might be continuing to intern with Common Roots
5. Responses from letter to landowners. There were five responses to the 49 letters sent out. One
invited bee keepers to bring their hives to their property and asked for Current Use information; one
will join in an educational presentation about hazelnuts; 3, neighbors, are interested in introducing
some farming to their land. They hope to interest more of the neighbors who all have a contiguous
parcel together off Dorset Heights. After 2 return from vacation, they will set up a meeting and
Rosanne and Sophie will go to find out what they would like and what kind of connections and
educational information they need to proceed.
6. Discussion and possible identification of next tasks to accomplish.
A. We will begin to hold some more library education sessions. Sophie and another grower of
hazelnuts will begin. Another session will be on chicken raising.
B. A matchmaking project: we wish to connect people who have some yard space with people who
want to grow vegetables and fruit. Both Becky and Sarah are already doing this with their property.
Rosanne will begin to write up a plan for this.
C. Regulations: (SA-13-24) Language in LDRs to protect topsoil for new residents who wish to
garden. This is in process. Becky commented that most builders are doing this, yet there is no way of
enforcing this, no person doing this.
The Comprehensive Plan is now being worked on by the Planning Commission and the Interim Zoning
requests are being incorporated.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
3 FEBRUARY, 2015
2
D. Allen wonders if we would like to have a website. We would need the Planning Commission's
permission. Who might create and maintain this? UVM interns? High school or middle school
students? Our tasks include SA-13-05 “Identify potential investors.” Searching for money is not
something we have done yet. The Energy Committee is doing a great job of this at present. What
would we be raising money for? A web designer? This will be an ongoing discussion.
E. Current Use. Current Use can be confusing in regard to agriculture. Sophie has been talking to
Kate Curley at the tax department and will create an information sheet.
7. Other business. None.
8. Suggest next agenda topics.
Continue to develop matchmaking process.
Plan library educational events.
Discuss need for money and/or raising it.
Follow up with Dorset Heights landowners.
Follow up with Current Use information sheet.
9. Approval of minutes from January 6, 2015.
Minutes approved.
10. Adjourn.
Respectfully submitted,
Sophie Quest
Clerk, Sustainable Agriculture sub-committee