PLANNING COMMISSION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What should I come to the Planning Commission for?

If you are planning a subdivision of your property, the Planning Commission must first grant approval. If you want to seek a zone change, the process starts with the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission also reviews some uses that at their discretion may or may not be allowed.

2. When and where does the Planning Commission meet?

The Planning Commission holds its regularly scheduled meetings and hearings on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Barre Town Municipal Office Building.

3. What is a subdivision?

A subdivision of land is the breaking up of a parcel of land into two or more parcels.

4. What is the process for obtaining a subdivision permit?

First, you must hire a surveyor and/or an engineer. Boundary lines of a new lot must be determined by metes & bounds and plotted onto a sheet of paper called a plan. Additionally, the "plan" must show things like how the lot will be served by water and sewer, contours, existing and/or proposed house locations along with access and other site-specific information.

At some point in the above process, you must submit an application to the Planning Office so you can be put on the next available Planning Commission agenda.

All subdivisions must be reviewed at a minimum of two Planning Commission meetings, with the final one being a warned public hearing.

Once the Planning Commission grants final approval, a "plat" must be filed in the town's land records to certify the new lots.

5. What is a Plat?

A plat is a mylar copy of a survey or subdivision plan. A plat that is filed in the land records can be a couple of different sizes but we accept 18"x24". If a plat is not filed within 90 days of approval, current law states that the subdivision is invalid. It is important to make sure the plat is filed and is filed on time.

6. Do I always have to provide water and sewer information on my plans to get a subdivision permit?

No. Another way to create a subdivision is by deferral of permit. You can create the lots, establishing lot lines by metes & bounds, but defer any of the specific site plan information. By deferring the site plan information you simply are putting off providing that specific information until such time as the lot is planned for development.

7. Why do I have to have a public hearing to get a subdivision permit?

Simply, because your neighbors have the right to make comment or raise concerns about impacts that your proposal may have on their property. The notification of abutting property owners and warning the subdivision in the newspaper are required by state statue.

8. My deed says that I have a separate lot. Is this legal?

No matter what a deed says, if it was drafted after the early 1970s and didn't go through the subdivision process, then you don't have a legal lot. You should contact the Planning & Zoning Office soon.

9. I would like to buy some land from my neighbor and add it to my lot. What do I need to do?

Sounds like a lot line adjustment. However, the only process Barre Town currently has to do such a thing is still by subdivision. The same process is followed as outlined above with one exception. In the end, a deed will be drafted, merging the new lot being created for the purpose of adding it to your property. In addition, you will probably not have to show site-specific information such as water and septic.