Planning Commission

Planning Commission News

February 11, 2022 The Town of Hardwick will be voting on the question of permitting retail cannabis in Hardwick – Articles 20 & 21 on the ballot. The Planning Commission will be reviewing zoning implications of this vote after Town Meeting day. The State of Vermont has implemented a mandatory 500 feet buffer surrounding school property. Both articles were adopted on March 1, 2022.

Cell Tower Information and AT&T Proposal Announcements

Please Note that the following information pertains only to the telecommunications projects which are required to send notification to the Hardwick Planning Commission. Article 19 of the 2022 Town of Hardwick Annual Town Meeting was adopted on March 1, 2022. The article states: “Shall the Town require its government to provide notice on its website to its residents when the Town receives notice that sources of radiation generated by cell towers/transmitters, Wi-Fi tower transmitters, and 5G antennas are being proposed for licensing and installation within the Town limits.” The Planning Commission does not receive information regarding limited requests (such as new antennas or transmitters). For additional information regarding projects as defined by Article 19, please visit the Town Manager’s web page. Right to Know – Hardwick, Vermont (hardwickvt.gov)

February 11, 2022 The Hardwick Planning Commission Chair, Dave Gross, has compiled a guide for Hardwick citizens. Helpful links are included. Tower Info Statement by Dave Gross – HPC Chair

February 25, 2022 New Cingular Wireless PCS (d/b/a AT&T) has filed a motion to dismiss their petition without prejudice. AT&T Motion to Dismiss – Hopkins Hill 21-3784 PET

February 1, 2022 New Cingular Wireless PCS (d/b/a AT&T) has requested an extension to the public comment period to March 1, 2022.

December 14, 2021 New Cingular Wireless PCS (d/b/a AT&T) has been granted an extension to the public comment period to February 1, 2022.

October 12, 2021 – New Cingular Wireless PCS (d/b/a AT&T) has filed a petition to extend the comment period to December 1, 2021.

September 14, 2021 – New Cingular Wireless PCS (d/b/a AT&T) has filed a petition to receive a certificate of public good to install a wireless telecommunications facility at 1190 Hopkins Hill Road, Hardwick. The petition is 21-3784-PET and has been updated to utilize the existing tower with no height extensions. Documents can be found at ePUC or at the following link: https://drmpllc.sharefile.com/d-sf9a65572088140fcb8b689933f1f567b

August 6, 2021 – Only the 60-day Advance Notification has been filed in VT PUC Case No. 21-1078-AN AT&T 1190 Hopkins Hill Road. Finalized site plans will not be issued until after a July 14th design visit with Hardwick Electric Department. New Cingular Wireless PCS closed the VT PUC Case No 21-1078-AN and instead filed petition 21-3784-PET which is referenced above in the September 14, 2021 announcement.

June 3, 2021 – No information, beyond the 60-day Advance Notification, has been filed in VT PUC Case No. 21-1078-AN AT&T 1190 Hopkins Hill Road by this date.

March 18, 2021 – Please Note that a new AT&T proposal has been forwarded to the Town of Hardwick. This is the 60-day Advance Notification for a Tower Extensio/Collocation. The link to the documents follows: https://drmpllc.sharefile.com/d-scc5e25ae85d144348779b6c92d1048ee

Further information regarding the Public Utility Commission CPG review of VT PUC Case No. 21-1078-AN AT&T 1190 Hopkins Hill Road will be posted electronically on the ePUC. The link to instructions on how to subscribe to a case in ePUC follows:

https://puc.vermont.gov/epuc-information/subscribe-case

December 9, 2020 – Please note that a Motion to Dismiss has been filed by AT&T in the Public Utility Commission CPG review. AT&T and their collaborators are withdrawing their application for a cell tower on Buffalo Mountain. AT&T Order granting Closure

The information regarding the Public Utility Commission CPG review of VT PUC Case No. 20-3175-PET: AT&T Hardwick 1061 Cooper Brook Drive can be reviewed electronically on the ePUC. The link to instructions on how to subscribe to a case in ePUC follows:

https://puc.vermont.gov/epuc-information/subscribe-case

Wetland Screening Tool

Wetland Screening Tool – The wetland screening tool was developed to help you navigate all the mapping layers which indicate a property may have wetlands on it. In addition to the Vermont Wetland Inventory Maps, the tool also screens for nearby hydric soils, wetland projects, wetland permits, wetland natural community types, and wetland advisory layers. The results for a given property are listed for you to see, with explanations of each layer and recommended next steps. You can also produce a map of the results. To get started, all you need is the 911 address or the SPAN number for an undeveloped property. This tool is recommended for realtors, potential buyers, town administrators, conservation commissions, and landowners. It is the best means of gaining a comprehensive view of potential wetlands on a property short of a site visit by a wetland professional, and understanding the layers you are looking at. You can find the wetland screening tool at https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/wetlands/maps

Planning Commission Seat Available

The Hardwick Select Board is accepting letters of interest for one vacant Planning Commission seat.

The Hardwick Planning Commission meets on the second Tuesday night every month at 6:30 pm. The Commission is currently working with the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee to create an extensive review and set of recommendations regarding Pedestrian and Traffic Safety for the downtown and adjacent areas of Hardwick Village.

Interested parties may send a letter or email to the Hardwick Town Manager, David Upson, Jr., at david.upson@hardwickvt.gov or mail to P.O. Box 523, Hardwick 05843. Questions may be directed to Kristen Leahy, Zoning Administrator, at zoning.administrator@hardwickvt.gov or by calling 802-472-1686.

Regular Meetings

The Planning Commission meets at 6:30PM on the second Tuesday of every month. Currently, the Commission is meeting in person on the third floor of the Memorial Building.

Duties

Determining and executing projects related to The Town Plan and alterations to the Zoning Bylaws.

The Hardwick Select Board accepted the zoning bylaw changes proposed by the Hardwick Planning Commission at the Select Board meeting on September 21, 2017. The zoning bylaws became effective on October 12, 2017.

The Hardwick Select Board accepted the zoning bylaw changes proposed by the Hardwick Planning Commission at the Select Board Meeting on October 6, 2022. The zoning bylaw changes will become effective on October 27, 2022.

Hardwick Unified Development Bylaws – October 6, 2022 Current Version! Updated version became available on October 27, 2022.

Hardwick Municipal Plan – 2019 Original Hardwick 2019 Plan Maps Current Version! Updated version was adopted on November 6, 2019.

Members

Ken Davis, Vice-Chair (Term expires 6/30/2023)
Dave Gross, Chair (Term expires 6/30/2025)
Jim Lewis (Term expires 06/30/2024)
Joyce Mandeville (Term expires 6/30/2024)
Michael Haveson (Term expires 6/30/2024)
Vacancy (Term expires 6/30/2025)
Shari Cornish (Term expires 6/30/2023)

2023 Agendas & Minutes (PDF files)

January 10, 2023 Meeting Minutes DRAFT version

2022 Agendas & Minutes (PDF files)

December 13, 2022 Meeting Minutes East Hardwick Walk/Bike Safety Improvement Concepts from Local Motion. Buffalo Mountain Market parking plan Hardwick Inn parking photo Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Recommendations

November 8, 2022 Meeting Minutes

October 11, 2022 Meeting Minutes

September 13, 2022 Meeting Minutes East Hardwick Walk/Bike Safety Improvement Concepts from Local Motion. VHIP Program Overview VHIP – HUD Fair Market Value

August 9, 2022 Meeting Minutes August 9, 2022 CDC Report – Attachment

August 9, 2022 Public Hearing Minutes

July 2022 The Hardwick Planning Commission will be holding a public hearing by Zoom on August 9, 2022 to discuss proposed Zoning bylaw changes to the Hardwick Unified Development Bylaws.

HPC Reporting Form for Municipal Bylaw Amendments

HPC Warning of Public Hearing

Proposed Zoning Bylaw Changes

Proposed Zoning District Amendment

Zoning Map of Hardwick for Reference