STATE OF VERMONT
ENVIRONMENTAL COURT
Appeal of Mary Dowling }
} Docket Nos. 179-8-02 Vtec;
} 235-10-02 Vtec; and 269-12-
} 02 Vtec
}
Decision and Order
Appellant Mary Dowling appealed from two decisions of the Zoning Board of Adjustment
(ZBA) and one decision of the Planning Commission of the Town of Stowe, granting approval
for two projects within the Topnotch Resort Planned Unit Development. Appellee-Applicant
T.N. Associates, Inc., doing business as Topnotch, also appealed from one of the findings made
by the Planning Commission in its decision.
Appellant Mary Dowling is represented by George E.H. Gay, Esq.; Appellee-Applicant T.N.
Associates, Inc., doing business as Topnotch, is represented by David Gartenstein, Esq.; the
Town of Stowe is represented by Amanda S.E. Lafferty, Esq. An evidentiary hearing was held in
this matter before Merideth Wright, Environmental Judge. The parties were given the
opportunity to submit written requests for findings and memoranda of law. Upon consideration
of the evidence and the written memoranda and proposed findings, the Court finds and concludes
as follows.
Appellee-Applicant owns and operates a 110-acre Resort Planned Unit Development (the A
Topnotch Resort PUD@ ), consisting of land on both sides of Route 108 in the Upper Mountain
Road zoning district and the RR5 zoning district of the Town of Stowe. The main Topnotch Inn
buildings are located on the east side of and uphill from Route 108, approximately 75 feet from
the southerly property boundary of the overall Topnotch Resort PUD property. A parking lot
referred to as the A east@ parking lot is located easterly of the Inn building adjacent to the
southerly property line. Appellant owns property immediately to the south of and generally
downhill from the Topnotch Resort PUD property. The property line between Appellant= s
property and the Topnotch Resort PUD property makes a rectangular jog approximately 150 feet
in length along the property line and approximately 50 feet in depth onto what would otherwise
be Appellant= s property. This jog accommodates the southerly most end of the east parking lot,
and contains fourteen of the lot= s parking spaces. The property line contained this jog and the
east parking lot when Appellant acquired the property. Appellant has experienced serious
problems from time to time in the past with stormwater drainage from the Topnotch Resort PUD
property, and especially from the east parking lot, onto her property.
Appellee-Applicant applied for approval to develop two projects: the > Spa/Laundry= project and
the > Phase F Condominiums,= accompanied by changes to Appellee-Applicant= s stormwater
management system, all within Appellee-Applicant= s existing approved Resort PUD. The
Topnotch Resort PUD, including these two projects, is now served by municipal sewer service
and water supplies.
As an amendment to a conditional use, the Spa/Laundry project required review under the
following sections of the Zoning Regulations: ' 4.7 (Conditional Use Standards), ' 4.9 (Site Plan
Review), ' 7.3(2) through (4) (Upper Mountain Road) and ' 18.3 (Resort PUD). The ZBA= s
July 16, 2002 decision on this application is on appeal in Docket No. 179-8-02 Vtec. As a
subdivision, the Phase F Condominiums project required review by the Planning Commission for
final subdivision approval under the Subdivision Regulations. The Planning Commission= s
September 24, 2002 decision on this application is on appeal in Docket No. 235-10-02Vtec. As
an amendment to a conditional use, the Phase F Condominium project also required review
under the following sections of the Zoning Regulations: ' 4.7 (Conditional Use Standards), ' 4.9
(Site Plan Review), ' 7.3(2) through (4) (Upper Mountain Road) and ' 18.3 (Resort PUD). The
ZBA= s October 15, 2002 decision on this application is on appeal in Docket No. 269-12-02
Vtec.
At trial, Appellant stipulated that only the following provisions of the Zoning Regulations remain
at issue in these proceedings:
Conditional Use Standards: ' 4.7(2)(A)(3) (character of the area affected); ' 4.7(2)(B)(1) (soil
erosion and capacity of land to hold water), ' 4.7(2)(B)(2) (aesthetics and natural areas), '
4.7(2)(B)(5) (shared access), ' 4.7(2)(B)(6) (circulation and parking), ' 4.7(2)(B)(7) (pedestrian
circulation and access), ' 4.7(2)(B)(8) (landscaping and screening), and ' 4.7(2)(B)(9)
(stormwater management);
Site Development Plan Required Information: ' 4.8(2) (landscaping plan), ' 4.8(3) (parking
plan), ' 4.8(4) (stormwater drainage plan), ' 4.8(5) (site grading plan), ' 4.8(6) (lighting plan),
and ' 4.8(7) (completion schedule);
Site Development Plan Review Procedure: ' 4.9(1)(A) (compatibility with municipal plan), '
4.9(1)(B) (adequacy of driveway access), ' 4.9(1)(D) (circulation and parking), ' 4.9(1)(F)
(landscaping and screening), ' 4.9(1)(G) (stormwater management); 4.9(2)(B)(2) (parking
specific to Upper Mountain Road zoning district) and 4.9(2)(B)(3) (driveway access specific to
Upper Mountain Road zoning district);
Stormwater Management Standards: ' 4.15 (all subsections);
Standards for Development in the Upper Mountain Road District: ' 7.1 (purpose statement: A
preserving the rural character of the landscape@ ); ' 7.7(2) (driveway setbacks);
Standards for Planned Unit Developments: ' 18.3(1)(A) (amended density affidavits); '
18.3(3)(A) (perimeter greenbelt), ' 18.3(3)(B)(incorporating PRD standards from ' 17.3(2), '
17.3(3), and ' 17.3(4)); ' 18.3(4) (open space); and
Parking Standards: ' 21.3 (required parking area); ' 21.4(1) (no parking in fire lanes), ' 21.4(4)
(stormwater discharge from parking surfaces onto adjacent property); and ' 21.5 (driveway
setbacks).
Appellant also stipulated at trial that only the following provisions of the Subdivision
Regulations remain at issue in these proceedings:
Subdivision Application Procedures: ' 3.1(1);
Preliminary Layout Application Procedures: ' 3.3(1), ' 3.3(3), ' 3.3(4);
Preliminary Layout Application Submission Requirements: ' 4.1(L), ' 4.1(P);
Final Subdivision Application Submission Requirements: ' 4.2(H), ' 4.2(I);
Legal Requirements: ' 4.4(1)(B), ' 4.4(1)(C);
General Planning Standards: ' 5.1(1) (character of land for subdivision), ' 5.1(2) (natural and
scenic features), ' 5.1(5)(screening and landscaping), ' 5.1(13) (disclosure of subsequent
development plans);
Open Space and Cluster Development: ' 5.3 (all subsections); and
Utilities and Stormwater Management: ' 5.5(4), ' 5.5(5).
The Spa/Laundry project involves the expansion of the spa building by 6,835 square feet to
house new treatment rooms, an expanded hair salon, a new front entrance and an office; the
relocation of Appellee-Applicant= s laundry facilities to a new 960-square-foot building across
Route 108 behind the tennis center; the conversion of an existing tennis court to a parking area;
and the rerouting of stormwater from the east parking lot to an existing treatment and detention
pond.
A 53-unit, 29.4-acre condominium development (the A Overlook Condominiums at Topnotch
Resort@ ) was approved in 1981 as a Planned Residential Development (PRD), located within the
Topnotch Resort PUD. The ten units now proposed for the Phase F condominiums will complete
52 of the 53 approved units. The major infrastructure for the Phase F Condominiums, including
water and sewer mains and a looped access road, has already been built pursuant to the plans
previously approved for the whole Planned Residential Development. The current Phase F
Condominium Project includes the subdivision of the land where the Phase F Condominium
buildings will be located, so that the boundary lines run along the border of the Open Space area
approved in 1981 as part of the Planned Residential Development and along the boundary lines
of previous subdivisions for earlier phases of development within the PRD. The Phase F
Condominium Project also includes the installation of 520 feet of 8-inch water line running from
Route 108 to behind the spa building and a fire hydrant to improve fire protection1; the
construction of five buildings each containing two condominium units, for a total of ten units,
including the site work specific to each building needed to connect the buildings to the existing
PRD infrastructure; and the implementation of a stormwater management plan that directs most
of the stormwater generated on the developed portion of the Appellee-Applicant= s property
easterly of and uphill from Route 108 to an already existing detention pond located close to
Route 108.
Issue regarding Post-Approval Submission Conditions
Appellant= s Amended Statement of Questions raised the issue of whether certain conditions,
requiring subsequent proposals to be submitted to the ZBA, violated various notice requirements.
As the application now contains those amendments and this proceeding is de novo, that issue has
become moot, or at least provides no basis for remanding the application to the ZBA. The Court
will merely consider the updated parking plan, the elevations and fenestration of the spa and
laundry, the landscaping and exterior lighting plan, an updated density bank affidavit, and the
amended application (including both the stormwater run-off pipe line and conversion of the
upper tennis court to parking) as part of the merits of the application now before the Court. In
any event, the matters that were the subject of the contested conditions had been addressed in
Appellee-Applicant= s original application submitted to the ZBA. The contested conditions
merely required the Applicant to submit, in written or plan form, those details or commitments
on the part of the Applicant that were discussed before the ZBA at its public hearing and that had
become part of the ZBA= s approval of the project. See Appeal of Gulli, 13 Vt. L. Week 349, 350
(Nov. 4, 2002) (mem.).
Character of Area, Suitability of Land and Compatibility with Stowe Town Plan
Section 4.7(2)(A)(3), ' 4.9(1)(A) and ' 7.1 of the Zoning Regulations and ' 5.1(1) of the
Subdivision Regulations address whether the proposed projects will adversely affect the
character of the area; whether they will preserve the rural character of the upper Mountain Road
area landscape; whether the subdivided land can be used for its intended purposes without undue
adverse impact on public health or safety, the environment, neighboring properties, or the rural
and historic character of the community; and whether the proposed projects are compatible with
the Stowe Municipal Plan.
As designed, the subdivided land can be used for its intended purposes without undue adverse
impact upon Appellant= s property or upon any other neighboring properties, or upon public
health or safety, the environment, or the rural and historic character of the community. The
proposed improvements to the stormwater systems draining the Topnotch Resort PUD and the
proposed improvements to the drainage and landscaping of the east parking lot will reduce the
stormwater runoff onto Appellant= s property to an amount below that experienced by that
property before the Topnotch Resort PUD was developed, and will therefore reduce the
likelihood of recurrence of the problems experienced by Appellant in recent years due to
stormwater runoff onto her property. The proposed erosion control measures during construction
will protect downhill property, including Appellant= s, from undue soil erosion. Appellant
proposes to install the new stormwater improvements starting with the pond and the
improvements to the Inn parking lot, and then to install the stormwater line from the Inn to the
pond, and then to install the stormwater line above the Inn, and then to install the new 8" water
line. All the stormwater system improvements are proposed to be in place before the construction
of the Phase F condominiums.
The proposed expansion of the existing spa building and conversion of a tennis court to parking
will not be noticeable from Route 108 or from beyond the Topnotch Resort PUD property. The
proposed small new laundry building behind the large tennis center on the other side of Route
108 will not be noticeable from Route 108 or from beyond the Topnotch Resort PUD property,
and would have the appearance of a small outbuilding consistent with the design of the tennis
center building and another small maintenance shed behind that building. The proposed Phase F
condominiums are consistent in design, location, and layout with the other condominiums
approved as part of the PRD. Therefore, the proposed projects will not adversely affect the
character of the area, will not adversely affect the rural and historic character of the community
and will preserve the rural character of the upper Mountain Road area landscape at least as much
as the existing Topnotch Resort PUD.
In addition, the proposed projects are compatible with the current edition of the Stowe Municipal
Plan. The expansion of the spa building, relocation of the laundry, and associated improvements
to the stormwater and parking systems for the Topnotch Resort PUD are compatible with the
Municipal Plan= s provision for Resort PUDs to A allow a large resort, being a self-contained
complex developed as a single entity to provide housing (hotel/motel, lodge), recreation and
services for its transient guests, and be insulated from, and not intrude on, surrounding areas.@
Municipal Plan, page 10-8. The Plan encourages clustering development, and favors Planned
Residential Development over standard subdivisions A to enable and encourage flexibility of
development of land to preserve open space, to encourage clustering and to facilitate adequate
and economical provision for streets and utilities.@ Municipal Plan, page 10-8. The Phase F
condominiums, approved as part of a Planned Residential Development, are compatible with the
Municipal Plan in that respect, and preserve all of the open space area reserved within the PRD
and the Topnotch Resort PUD.
Access and On-site Circulation
Section 4.7(2)(B)(5), ' 4.7(2)(B)(7), ' 4.9(1)(B), ' 4.9(2)(B)(3), and ' 7.7(2), of the Zoning
Regulations address on-site circulation and access from the public road system.
No changes in the Topnotch Resort PUD= s access to Route 108 are proposed in connection with
the proposed projects. That easterly entrance point from Route 108 is adequate under ' 4.9(1)(B)
as approved for the overall Topnotch Resort PUD, and the relatively small number of additional
vehicle trips generated by the ten new condominium units will not affect the adequacy of that
access. Adding shared access for the Dowling property to the existing single access from Route
108 onto the Topnotch Resort PUD property would not be appropriate under ' 4.7(2)(B)(5).
Adding shared access is not practicable with either the property to the north or with the property
to the south, because a stream separates the Topnotch Resort PUD entrance drive from the
property to its north and because steep grades prevent shared access to that entrance drive with
the adjacent property to the south.
Pedestrian circulation and access as previously approved for the Topnotch Resort PUD, is
unchanged by the proposed projects. ' 4.7(2)(B)(7). On-site circulation of vehicles as previously
approved for the Topnotch Resort PUD will be somewhat improved under the site plan with the
improvement of the east parking lot, the conversion of the tennis court to parking for the spa, and
the reduction in parking congestion near the entrance to the spa.
The only added driveways as part of the proposed projects are the individual interior driveways
within the PRD area needed to serve the ten individual units of the Phase F Condominiums. They
are no wider than that necessary to provide safe vehicular access and promote pedestrian
circulation, ' 4.9(2)(B)(3). In any event, that section only applies to the Upper Mountain Road
zoning district and the Phase F condominium area is outside that district (see Exhibit 12). The
driveways meet all dimensional standards and do not implicate ' 7.7(2), which requires
driveways to be set back at least 10 feet from property lines.
None of the regulatory sections remain at issue which address the effect of traffic generated by
the projects on traffic on roads and highways in the vicinity. In any event, very little, if any,
additional traffic on Route 108 will be generated by the spa expansion or by the relocation of the
laundry, because the expanded spa will continue to be used primarily by existing Topnotch
guests and residents and the relocated laundry will continue to serve the whole Topnotch Resort
PUD. Construction of the Phase F Condominiums is likely to generate no more than between two
and five additional afternoon peak vehicle trips on Route 108. Existing roads, intersections and
access points remain adequate to handle this minor amount of additional traffic, if any, that will
be generated by the proposed projects.
Parking
Section ' 4.7(2)(B)(6), ' 4.8(3), ' 4.9(1)(D), ' 4.9(2)(B)(2), ' 21.3, ' 21.4(1), ' 21.4(4), and '
21.5 of the Zoning Regulations address parking requirements, and are all met by Appellee-
Applicant= s proposed projects.
Appellee-Applicant proposes improvements to the east parking lot, changes to the configuration
of parking in front of the spa building, conversion of tennis courts to parking to serve the spa
building, as well as the individual parking spaces allocated to each of the ten proposed
condominium units, consisting of two parking spaces outside each unit and one space inside a
garage associated with each unit. The parking associated with the condominium units meets all
regulatory requirements. We will discuss the other parking-related proposals in more detail.
The number of parking spaces for the Topnotch Resort PUD meets the requirements of the
regulations with the proposed changes. The small reduction in the number of spaces in front of
the spa building will be more than offset by the conversion of an existing tennis court near the
spa to a parking area to serve the expanded spa, together with improvements to the east parking
lot.
Appellant requests a prohibition against parallel parking along the access road between the east
parking lot and the expanded spa building. Appellee-Applicant does not propose any parallel
parking along that road, and there has been no evidence that the on-site circulation and driveway
width would be adequate for both vehicular and pedestrian circulation if such parallel parking
were allowed. Accordingly, it will be sufficient to require Appellee-Applicant to post signs along
the access road between the east parking lot and the first spa parking spaces, stating to the effect
of > no parking along this roadway.= In the alternative, if Appellee-Applicant wishes to allow
such parallel parking and to have it evaluated for adequacy of vehicular and pedestrian
circulation, Appellee-Applicant is free to apply for an amendment at the municipal level to do so.
All new parking proposed as part of the proposed projects is in the interior of the Topnotch
Resort PUD property and cannot be seen from off site or from Route 108. None of the proposed
parking lies between buildings and the public road, or along any public road. Rather, parking is
located behind buildings to the extent possible, and is not proposed to be situated in rights-of-
way. Parking associated with the proposed projects meets the dimensional requirements of the
Zoning Regulations, including sizes, layout and numbers of parking spaces and aisle widths
allowing the free and safe movements of vehicles using those spaces. The proposed parking will
be paved with an all-weather surface, and the spaces will be delineated by appropriate striping.
The edge of the paved spaces in the east parking lot are set back at least ten feet from the
property line to Appellant= s property, meeting ' 7.7(2) assuming that section applies to parking
spaces as well as to driveways.
The access roadways and parking areas associated with the proposed projects will be engineered
to drain through storm drains adequate to handle runoff from them, and will eliminate both
standing water and excess runoff to abutting land, including that of Appellant. Specifically with
respect to the southerly edge of the east parking lot, the slope of the land is proposed to be added
to, to create a foot-high berm at the edge of Appellant= s property. The east parking lot and its
southerly setback area are proposed to be graded so that the whole of the east parking lot will
drain toward the stormwater management system= s catchbasins within the parking lot, rather
than toward Appellant= s land, and so that any water melting from snow plowed off those spaces
towards Appellant= s land will also run off towards the storm drainage system within the parking
lot. The southerly setback area is proposed to be landscaped with trees for screening and erosion
control, and to have snow fencing installed each winter to prevent snow from being plowed onto
Appellant= s property. Appellee-Applicant proposes to remove snow from this area promptly
after winter storm events, to minimize the effect of runoff from large snow piles. At the westerly
edge of the jog in the parking lot, a grassy swale is designed to conduct any remaining surface
runoff to the storm drains in the parking lot. Even if the storm drainage system in the parking lot
were to become clogged with ice and snow, after construction the lot and access road will still be
sloped so that any overflow runoff will run down the access road rather than onto Appellant= s
property.
Stormwater, Erosion, Sewer, Water, and Utilities
Section 4.7(2)(B)(1), ' 4.7(2)(B)(9), ' 4.8(4), ' 4.8(5), ' 4.9(1)(G), ' 4.15(A), ' 4.15(B), '
4.15(C), ' 4.15(D), ' 4.15(E), ' 4.15(F), ' 17.3(3) and ' 17.3(4) of the Zoning Regulations and
Section 4.1(L), ' 4.2(H), ' 4.2(I), ' 4.4(1)(B), ' 4.4(1)(C), ' 5.5(4) and ' 5.5(5) of the
Subdivision Regulations address stormwater, erosion, sewer, water, and utilities and are all met
by Appellee-Applicant= s proposed projects.
Construction associated with the proposed projects will yield a total of just over 1/3 of an acre of
new impervious coverage on the Topnotch Resort PUD property. This additional coverage will
have little or no additional effect on stormwater generation on the Topnotch Resort PUD
property. That is, even in the absence of the new stormwater management proposals, little or no
additional stormwater would have been directed onto Appellant= s adjoining property, and the
proposed projects would not cause unreasonable soil erosion or reduce the capacity of the land to
hold water. ' 4.7(2)(B)(1). Nevertheless, the proposed projects include a comprehensive new
stormwater management plan for the Topnotch Resort PUD Property to conform with the State
stormwater regulations that took effect in August of 2002 and for evaluation under '
4.7(2)(B)(9).
The proposed stormwater management plan intercepts and collects stormwater in new
catchbasins to be installed in the parking areas and roadways, conducted it to an existing
detention pond near Route 108, and, after detention, discharges it onto property of the Topnotch
Resort PUD on the other side of Route 108, to infiltrate into a recharge area under a state-
approved stormwater discharge permit. The proposed stormwater management system uses the
best available technology to minimize off-site stormwater runoff, to increase on-site infiltration,
to encourage natural filtration functions, to simulate natural drainage systems and detention and
retention basins, and to minimize off-site discharge of pollutants.
After installation of the new stormwater system, the rate of stormwater runoff will not be
increased beyond current levels at the boundary of the property, and indeed, will be reduced
from pre-development levels as it pertains to Appellant= s property. Prior to any development of
the Topnotch Resort PUD property, stormwater from 1.98 acres of land within that property
discharged to the south onto land currently owned by Dowling and Gill. Following
implementation of the proposed stormwater management plan, stormwater from 1.34 acres of
land within the Topnotch Resort PUD property will discharge to the south onto land owned by
Dowling and Gill. As a result, the proposed projects will improve existing stormwater-related
conditions towards Appellant= s property and will have no adverse impact on stormwater effects
on Appellant= s property, any other property (including the Topnotch Resort PUD property), on
Town highways, or on surface waters. The rate of stormwater discharge will not increase at the
property line. The stormwater management plan associated with the proposed projects will
protect natural drainage ways and floodwater retention areas, so that existing drainage patterns
will not change so as to adversely affect adjoining properties.
The changes to the configuration, grading and paving of the east parking lot, described above,
together with the new stormwater management system, are adequate to protect the Dowling
property from being adversely affected by stormwater from the proposed projects.
In connection with the proposed projects, Appellee-Applicant also has proposed a
comprehensive erosion control plan to be implemented during construction, to minimize and
stabilize exposed soil, control sediment discharge and stormwater during construction, account
for all natural and proposed contours and grading changes, and to prevent reduction in the
capacity of the land to hold water, and thereby avoid creating a dangerous or unhealthy
condition.
Water, noise, and air pollution will not result from the proposed projects. The proposed projects
are served by and have received all necessary permits to connect to the municipal water and
sewer systems, and, as discussed above, the discharge of stormwater to abutting properties will
decrease as compared to both pre-development and current conditions. Therefore, Appellee-
Applicant need not provide any detailed information regarding the location of neighboring water
supplies and sewage disposal areas, or a report on land and soil conditions, and need not submit
any evidence of agreements with other landowners, easements, or rights to discharge water onto
other properties, as no such agreements are proposed to be necessary for the proposed projects. '
4.1(L), ' 4.2(H), ' 4.2( I), ' 4.4(1)(B), and ' 4.4(1)(C) of the Subdivision Regulations.
Landscaping, Screening, Lighting, Scenic and Natural Areas, Open Space
Section 4.7(2)(B)(2), ' 4.7(2)(B)(8), ' 4.8(2), ' 4.8(6), ' 4.9(1)(F), ' 17.3(2), ' 18.3(1)(A), '
18.3(3)(A), ' 18.3(3)(B), and ' 18.3(4) of the Zoning Regulations and Sections 4.1(P), ' 5.1(2),
' 5.1(5), and ' 5.3 of the Subdivision Regulations address landscaping, screening, distances
between buildings, density affidavits, lighting, scenic and natural areas, and open space.
The proposed projects are located within the existing Topnotch Resort PUD and the existing
PRD governing the condominiums. None of the buildings, parking lots, or lighting associated
with the proposed projects will be visible from Route 108 or from any other property beyond the
Topnotch Resort PUD property. No additional lighting is proposed for the east parking lot
beyond any lighting already approved for that lot. There are no rare or irreplaceable natural areas
on Topnotch Resort PUD property, and the proposed projects will not adversely affect the area= s
scenic or natural beauty, aesthetics, natural features, forest vistas, wildlife, natural resources, or
rural landscapes. The design of the proposed projects, including the location of the additions to
the spa building and the new laundry building in areas where there already is impervious
coverage; the construction of the Phase F Condominium buildings adjacent to infrastructure that
has already been approved and constructed; the placement of storm drain, water, and sewer lines;
and the preservation of existing recreational trails, will further minimize any potential impact to
natural features and will preserve existing natural and scenic features, bodies of water, and
wooded areas on the Topnotch Resort PUD property, including all areas reserved as open space
areas in the existing permits for the Topnotch Resort PUD and the Planned Residential
Development. Within the PRD, 8.8 acres of open space land has been dedicated for conservation
purposes, where existing natural features will be preserved; this open space land will be owned
and managed by a condominium Area Association upon completion of the PRD
The landscaping and lighting plans for the new condominium units and the spa expansion and
associated parking are consistent with the existing condominiums and spa building and meet all
requirements regarding glare, lighting and landscaping. The landscaping at the edge of the east
parking lot will screen Appellant= s property from activity in that parking lot, and no additional
lighting is proposed for that parking lot.
Appellee-Applicant has submitted revised density affidavits as required by the regulations. The
distances between the Phase F condominium buildings are appropriate for clustered development
and to preserve other portions of the property for open space use as encouraged by the Municipal
Plan and by the PRD regulations.
Section ' 18.3(3)(A), requires a green belt perimeter of at least 200 feet along the outside
boundary of a Resort PUD, which requirement can be waived by the Planning Commission if it
is not necessary to protect the interests and privacy of adjoining property owners2. The overall
layout of the Topnotch Resort PUD was approved in earlier proceedings, and if this 200-foot
perimeter greenbelt was a requirement of Resort PUDs at that time, it was apparently waived in
the vicinity of the east parking lot at that time. The waiver of that greenbelt requirement and the
existence and location of the east parking lot are not before the Court in the present proceedings.
Phasing and Future Development Plans
Section 4.8(7) of the Zoning Regulations and ' ' 3.3(4) and 5.1(13) of the Subdivision
Regulations address the time schedule for and phasing of construction and future development
plans. Sections 3.3(1) and 3.3(3) of the Subdivision Regulations are not applicable to a
subdivision such as the present one that creates only one new lot. Section 3.1(1) of the
Subdivision Regulations has been satisfied as a plat regarding the proposed subdivision has been
filed in the Stowe Land Records.
Appellee-Applicant has submitted a time schedule for construction and a phasing plan that calls
for implementation of its stormwater management plan as soon as permits are issued. The time
schedule and phasing plan are appropriate, as adjusted to date from when the permits become
final. Appellee-Applicant stated at trial that construction of the Phase F condominiums would
take place after the installation of the stormwater management system below it in elevation; we
have imposed that requirement as a condition in this decision and order to insure that
disturbances of the land at higher elevations do not result in stormwater runoff problems at lower
elevations, however temporary.
This application covers only the spa/laundry project and the Phase F condominiums as described
above. The 53rd condominium unit allowed by the earlier PRD approval would have to be the
subject of a future application, as would any other development to be served by the stormwater
system. Appellee-Applicant proposes no other development at this time.
Based on the foregoing, it is hereby ORDERED and ADJUDGED that Appellee-Applicant= s
proposed projects as presented to the Court meet the requirements of the Zoning Regulations and
Subdivision Regulations as discussed above and are HEREBY approved, with the following
conditions.
1. Appellee-Applicant shall construct the proposed projects as shown in the application and plans
and exhibits submitted in evidence in the proceedings before this Court, and shall provide a set
of those documents for the files of the Town of Stowe.
2. The proposed stormwater system improvements shall be constructed prior to the
commencement of site work on or construction of the buildings of the Phase F condominiums.
All the berms and grading of the area adjacent to Appellant= s property shall be in place, so as to
direct any runoff away from Appellant= s property, before the commencement of work on the
improvements to the east parking lot, including the commencement of work on the installation of
the stormwater system within or at a higher elevation than the east parking lot.
3. Appellee-Applicant shall post signs along the access road between the east parking lot and the
first spa parking spaces, stating to the effect of > no parking along this roadway.= In the
alternative, if Appellee-Applicant wishes to allow such parallel parking and to have it evaluated
for adequacy of vehicular and pedestrian circulation, Appellee-Applicant is free to apply for an
amendment at the municipal level to do so.
4. Any additional lighting for the east parking lot beyond any lighting already approved for that
lot also shall be the subject of a future amendment application.
Dated at Barre, Vermont, this 16th day of October, 2003.
___________________
Merideth Wright
Environmental Judge
Footnotes
1.
Prior to the extension of municipal water to serve this project, water for fire protection for
the condominiums was provided from a pond or reservoir.
2.
An additional clause regarding this waiver provision appears to be missing from the copy of
the regulations in evidence.