Duxbury Planning Commission members were present at the January 13
Moretown DRB hearing for an application submitted by Top Notch
Properties LLC to construct a 100-foot-by-80-foot one-story Family
Dollar Store measuring 8,000 square feet.
Water will be provided by the existing municipal water supply and a new on-site septic system has been designed.
Duxbury planners discussed their concerns about the proposal to
construct a retail store at the intersection at their January 20 and
their February 10 meetings. According to the January minutes, concerns
were raised about traffic impact and bicycle access through the area.
The application for the retail store includes a 25-car paved parking lot
located at the former Arkley homestead, which will be demolished.
Applicants presented a traffic study and discussed the location of the
proposed parking lot.
At the January 13 Moretown hearing, Top Notch Properties representative
Jon Milne said that in-front parking is one of the store's requirements.
DRB members discussed the possibility of landscaping between the front
parking lot and Route 2.
Abigail Lisius of Trudell Consulting Engineers presented a traffic
impact report dated January 13, 2011. The report includes
recommendations for stop signs to be added to Route 2 to make a
three-way stop. The increased traffic would not have a significant
impact on the adjacent roadway, she said.
The traffic impact report includes information about vehicle crash
history, traffic flows at peak hours in the day and a recommendation
from Act 250 for a stop sign at the proposed retail location.
Milne said he would keep the comments made at the hearing in mind while
designing the plans. Riley suggested that the applicants submit
documents at least seven days in advance of the hearing so the board
members have time to review them.
Members of the Duxbury Planning Commission voted to "actively
participate in all the Moretown DRB proceedings on the proposed Family
Dollar Store. Issues of concern are traffic and the function of the U.S.
2/Vermont Route 100 intersection, and given the gateway nature of this
location, architectural standards, landscaping, signage and lighting."
The Duxbury Planning Commission also plans to draft a letter to the
Moretown DRB outlining their concerns and attend the March 3 development
review board hearing in Moretown.
Following a site visit and a previous hearing, DRB chair John Reilly
said the project engineer, Charles Grenier, "indicated that the plans
they've submitted were not that detailed" and suggested that it may take
a couple of meetings to have the site and landscaping plans submitted
in full.
The application requires the approval of the DRB per the Moretown zoning
regulations. The hearing will reconvene on Thursday, March 3, at 6:30
p.m.
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