Housing 9/2/25

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Housing Minutes 09-02-25 118 KB

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Town of Richmond Housing Committee Meeting Minutes

Date: September 2, 2025

Time Started: 7:04p

Time Ended: 8:33p

Present: Virginia Clarke, Mark Hall (Chair), Andrew Mannix, Mairead O’Reilly, Connie van Eeghen

Guest: (none)

Absent: Nick Blanchet

Committee is approved at 5 members, 2 alternates (5/16/22); quorum is 3

1. Welcome and troubleshooting (0:00:00)
2. Adjustments to Agenda – addition to Other Business (0:00:30)
3. Approval of the July 22, 2025 meeting minutes (0:01:00)
   1. Accepted as written
4. Other Business (0:02:00)
   1. Mark will resign from the Committee effective Jan 1, 2026
      1. Mark has been on the Committee for 4 ½ years, starting shortly after it started
      2. Work priorities have grown
      3. Committee members expressed appreciation
   2. Need to continue to draw members to Committee and to leadership
      1. Mark will write an announcement to seek more
      2. Connie will reach out to community members
5. General Updates and Discussion – Committee  
   1. Prepare for Strategic Plan presentation – Sept 15th (0:06:00)
      1. https://richmondvt-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/koborne_richmondvt_gov/EWvfDjGADOtPorVpUDu2ex4Bd6XHfyaWcnVOGHyDQxHOIQ?rtime=f2L5DFfp3Ug
      2. Mark will not be available to present to the SB on Sept 15
      3. Keith Oborne is unhappy about the tone of the document (specifically item #4 under Zoning Recommendations) and its inferences about his office
         1. Virginia met with him and clarified some of the expectations and goals re: collaboration on this document
         2. The Committee agreed it will investigate the concerns K Oborne brought; a useful document is a higher priority than meeting with the SB on Sept 15.
         3. It’s not clear if K Oborne still has a staff support role for the Housing Committee or how the Committee is supported, if not.
         4. Virginia and Mark with follow up with K Oborne
            1. Andrew will consider how to share his comments with K Oborne
      4. Item 4:
         1. Orient the language towards improvement that is non-judgmental, emphasizes partnership with the Zoning Department
            1. Emphasize specific, supported recommendations
            2. De-emphasize general suggestions/comments
         2. Engage K Oborne in considering steps and resources to improve the approval process
         3. Review Brandy Saxton’s report: what does it say exactly about the DRB process and what is the basis of those statements
            1. The review process is seen as a cost and time burden to complete the requirements of the zoning code that don’t appear to affect the functional value of a new building
         4. Last sentence is a specific recommendation: “Allow administrative (Zoning Administrator) approval of small multifamily (3-4 unit buildings) instead of DRB approval” does not specifically refer to a lot in a subdivision. 
            1. Add “If a subdivision is involved,…” at the start of the recommendation. This section of Zoning needs further work.
            2. Pertains only where there is water & sewer infrastructure available
         5. Add timelines in collaboration with K Oborne and identify what resources are needed
            1. Consider a consultant to assist in updates or changes as a support to Zoning
      5. Connie will contact Duncan, Keith, and Jay about postponing the presentation for approximately one month
   2. Review Town Plan Narrative updates – Mairead  (0:55:00)
      1. https://www.richmondvt.gov/fileadmin/files/Housing_Committee/Meetings/2025/09/New_Draft_Housing_Narrative_MCOR_VC_draft_8.28.pdf
      2. Data moved to the “Almanac” or appendix
      3. Some items (Goal 2, #7) added re: planning or implementation grants for the creation of affordable housing
      4. Reviewed action items with respect to “owner” and added committees and roles as needed
         1. May include non-municipal voluntary committees if appropriate
      5. Next steps:
         1. Mairead to add appendix
         2. Send to Steering Committee; does not have to include appendix yet
            1. Due date is Sept 30 2025
         3. Thank you, Mairead!
      6. Town Plan will be presented to SB and public in October
         1. Consider adding the Strategic Housing Plan as an additional appendix
         2. Must be finished by end of December
   3. Prioritize Strategic Housing Plan Action Items – see above
6. FLU (Future Land Use) Map Updates  (1:12:00)
   1. New Map 
   2. CCRPC version 2.0 is available for viewing
      1. New map is very similar to old map, with some recommendations accepted from Conservation Committee/Working Group
      2. Designation of “Planned Growth Area” is very similar to “Village Area”; the Town may prefer to use the latter designation in its (municipal) FLU map for its downtown area. Both allow commercial development and water and sewer support.
         1. Must be compatible with CCRPC FLU map
         2. Waiting to finalize municipal FLU based on comments from CCRPC, regional FLU map not  expected until Spring 2026; municipal FLU map needed by Nov 2025 if vote at Town Meeting anticipated
7. Other Business, Correspondence, Adjournment (1:22:00)
   1. Code of Ethics – Training here – Required for all members: reminder to complete.
   2. Open Meeting Law: quorum requirements, need for notes, open to public, OK to do on Zoom…
   3. Next meeting: Tuesday, Sept 23 7p
   4. Proposed agenda to include: continue to prepare Strategic Housing Plan and schedule for presentation to Selectboard
   5. Agreed to adjourn at: 8:33

Recorded by Connie van Eeghen