Planning Commissioners present: Ethan Swift, Linda Stewart, Jon Andrews, Anne Bransfield, Jenny Nixon

Others present: Janet Mondlak, Dayle Ann Stratton

Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 7:06 pm.

Planning Commission Terms of Office

Jon Andrews                  2009

Anne Bransfield             2010

Matthew Carmolli           2008

Jennifer Nixon Carter      2009

Lynn Saunders              2008

Linda Stewart                2010

Ethan Swift                    2009

Minutes - Motion by Bransfield/Andrews to approve the minutes of the June 16, 2008 meeting as written. Passed.

Research Study - Ethan said he thinks either Charlie Jakiela or Steve Douglass have mentioned in the past that there had been a market analysis done a few years ago by someone in the private sector - possibly a supermarket chain. Ethan will try to find it.  

Town Plan - Introduction and Vision Statement

Ethan reviewed the Introduction and Vision Statement and the ways to make changes to the current language to reflect what kinds of activity there is in town at the time this Plan was written.

Current ongoing projects should be mentioned such as the Stephen A Douglas Birthplace and the Town Hall Preservation.

The language on the Brandon Workbook could be taken out of this section as it is added into other sections.

It was suggested that a paragraph be written reflecting: "All the work toward a common goal of community building, adaptive reuse of old buildings for business and social purposes."

We should take stock of current projects such as the old Brandon High School, the OVUHS upgrade project, the Smith Block redevelopment, and reuse of old industrial buildings by the railroad tracks.

We should add the achievement of some goals of Downtown Designation.

The section needs a title. These were suggested:

• Taking Stock
• A Retrospective of the Last Five Years

Board members were asked to keep thinking!

Are the five issues identified as being important at the 1999 Vermont Council on Rural Development's Community Visit still important?

• The need for a bypass - not important anymore
• The need to attract business and high quality jobs - yes, still important
• The need for additional recreational facilities - yes, still important
• The need for additional activities for teens - yes, still important
• The potential for a community center - was this a true community center or an athletic facility? The Town Hall will satisfy some of the community center uses.

Housing - this is not mentioned but should be added. The survey revealed that people feel that more low-income housing is needed. Ethan reviewed some data. Dayle Ann said there are exciting opportunities that should be made available. She said she can get some information.

Introduction:

Taking stock - this is what has happened lately that has been successful and which has used a lot of community support and energy.

Vision:

Jon and Dayle Ann wrote draft versions. Tara also had written one which had been distributed. The drafts and some points were reviewed and discussed.

Jon’s paragraph, with some changes suggested at the meeting:

"Brandon is an intimate, warm and walkable small town with a strong sense of place and significant community and historic assets, including a compact and full-service downtown. Brandon's central business district is unusual in that it still provides the essential goods and services that have moved to the outskirts of many Vermont towns. Our town provides the local populace and residents of surrounding towns with jobs, retail goods and services, and the social and civic benefits of an active and diverse community. This plan will guide future growth to promote the health and welfare of Brandon's residents and protect the things that make Brandon special: our natural resources, our historic streetscape and our community character."

There was discussion about some terminology: Should it be township, hamlet, village?

Forest Dale should be identified as a separate hamlet or village and it should be referenced on its own as it interrelates to Brandon.

The Designated Downtown should be identified in the Vision as an important component of town. It should be referenced specifically.

"Surrounding towns" should be changed to "surrounding area."

Commissioners like the use of bullets in Dayle Ann’s draft.

Dayle Ann's first bullet:

"Brandon village remains an intimate community with a strong sense of place and the character of a small town." Ethan said he would like to see language added that the village remain walkable.

Jon suggested an introductory narrative that sets the tone of where we are now and then list bullets of specific items with the vision for the future. Dayle Ann will redraft the language. Linda suggested consistency in language between the word "Brandon town" or "Brandon village."

The next meeting is Monday, July 21 at the Brandon Library at 7 pm.

Agenda: final review of two sections of the Plan

Recreation, Historic and Cultural Resource - Ethan

Natural Resources - Ethan

Ethan asked Commissioners to think about the arrangement of the sections.

Adjourn - Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.

Respectfully submitted

____________________
Janet Mondlak, Recording Secretary