02.08.12 Master Planning Update

Respectfully submitted by Kate Stephenson on behalf of the Core Team: Robin Morris, Kinny Perot, John Connell, Gillian Davis and Kathy Meyer.

Over the past two months, the Core Team has been busy, meeting weekly and continuing to move the master planning process forward.

SURVEYING: In December we contracted with McCain Consulting to do additional surveying on the campus to get accurate topographical information in and around the current cabin area and stream, the upper meadow and around the existing Chalet.

PERMITTING:
Zoning: On January 10th we met with the Waitsfield Design Review Board for an initial Sketch Plan Review to get their feedback on the plan. The DRB came for a site visit on January 19th and we walked through the “upper campus” area, particularly looking at steep slopes between the Pine Cabin and the Treehouse where future lodging is proposed. At the next DRB meeting on January 24th we got more specific feedback and discussed the actual requirements for the permit application and the level of detail required. The draft minutes of the 01/24/12 meeting are available here.
Curb Cut: We also obtained a curb cut permit application from the state Agency of Transportation, but do not anticipate needing to submit that right away.
Water System: Kate received notice from the state that Yestermorrow is now required to complete permitting and monthly monitoring as a Community Water System. She is looking into options for hiring an outside firm to contract for this work.

STORMWATER: On the 26th Kate met with Andres Torrizo from Watershed Consulting Associates to walk the site and discuss contracting with WCA to do the stormwater design work for our project. This includes daylighting and restoration of the stream that runs by the cabin area, as well as planning for other runoff to the east of the proposed new driveway. Andres submitted a proposal which was reviewed by the Core Team on February 2nd and the team decided to engage WCA for this project. Estimated costs for this design work are $8,398.

CAD: We will also continue working with McCain Consulting on CAD work to get the Regenesis master plan translated onto the computer (since the Regenesis plan was hand-drawn) using our updated survey information. They will also help to identify steep slopes on the plan and all setbacks, as required for the permit application. Estimated costs for this phase to get us to a Zoning Permit application are $2,000.

WASTEWATER: The Core Team would like to engage Yestermorrow’s faculty expertise in alternative wastewater treatment design and will set up an initial call in mid February to discuss this process with Barton Kirk, Harold Leverenz and Pete Munoz. We also anticipate working with Peter Lazorchak from McCain Consulting on the design, engineering and permitting process.

COMMUNICATION: Kate and John C. will facilitate a webinar/conference call with interested faculty, staff and board members in February to update everyone on where we are in the master planning process, walk everyone through the current site plan, and answer questions regarding the plan. Kate will also update the YM Master Planning Blog with relevant documents, drawings, etc.

DESIGN REVIEW “AMIGOS”: John C. is spearheading the creation of a design review team we’re calling the “Design Amigos”. A separate invitation will be sent to YM faculty, board, interns and friends inviting them to submit an essay to be reviewed anonymously and a handful of individuals will be selected to serve on the Amigos. The goal is to have a body which can provide timely feedback on design projects around the campus.

TIMELINE: The Core Team is working towards a goal of submitting a permit application to the Waitsfield DRB by April 1st. We feel this is an ambitious timeline but do-able if we keep the process moving. After the permit is submitted we will have a minimum of 3 weeks to notify the public of the hearing, then at least 2 subsequent hearings, 2 weeks apart. Best case scenario for receiving a Zoning Permit would be June 1st. The Zoning Permit may be contingent on receipt of other state permits. No construction can start before these permits are received, so the planned project of greenhouse construction is anticipated to be pushed to mid or late summer.

BUDGET: The Core Team is working on a budget for continuing the design and planning process in 2012 and is currently anticipating costs to run around $25,000, including permit fees and contracted design.

ONGOING ISSUES:
The following issues have been identified by the team as needing further review:
- Location of storage buildings (one for materials, one for vehicles) currently sited in the parking area (current tennis courts). Define the uses/scope of the parking lot area. Do we need to ask for a setback waiver from the DRB to accommodate structures in the parking area?
- Delineation of wetlands to the south of the Chalet, along the proposed driveway location
- Should we update our forest management plan?
- What will the final use be of the existing building if according to the zoning not more than 25% can be demolished?
- Which buildings do we anticipate being designed/built by students, and what design parameters are we putting on those structures?
- What stream setbacks would be initiated by the daylighting of the stream which is currently in a culvert?
- General landscaping plan for the campus – what’s required for DRB review? What trees will be added/removed?