Shelburne Planning Commission pushes Town Plan to steer growth into sewered areas, adds parks goals

Shelburne Planning Commission Chair Steve Kendall said the commission will push the town’s updated plan to steer most new development into the sewer service area, arguing that infrastructure expansions and utility extensions should be concentrated where services already exist. The commission discussed and agreed on changes to Chapter 4 of the draft Town Plan at a hybrid meeting on July 9, 2026.

The commission also clarified that developer responsibilities for constructing necessary infrastructure should be stated explicitly in the plan and that all town departments — not only public safety — must assess capacity to serve growth. Commissioners discussed regional approaches to stormwater and wastewater management as well as broader coordination on public-safety resources.

Chair Steve Kendall reiterated continued objections to siting cell towers in Shelburne but noted public complaints about mobile phone coverage; he said enhancing and expanding cell coverage should be a goal, a position the commission agreed to include in the plan.

On parks and recreation, the commission reviewed Chapter 5 and noted that Shelburne currently lacks a comprehensive parks and recreation plan, though management plans exist for individual parks. Members added a goal to explore creating a community center and recommended better defining capital recreation investments. The commission also recommended prioritizing maintenance of existing public trails before creating new ones.

Kendall raised concerns about weekend overcrowding at the Town Beach and urged the plan to identify additional, easily accessible public access points to Lake Champlain. The commission agreed to list partnering with private landowners as a possible approach to expanding access.

Planner Aaron DeNamur discussed the legally required housing language that must appear in the Town Plan and said he will work on scheduling a potential joint meeting with the Housing Committee to coordinate on that text. Commissioners also discussed initiatives to invest in worker housing and scheduled the next Planning Commission meeting for July 23 to review community engagement for the plan.

Procedural business at the start and end of the meeting included approval of the agenda (motion by Commissioner Pam Brangan, seconded by Ramzy Kanaan; passed 5-0), approval of the June 25 minutes (motion by Commissioner Tom Karlhuber, seconded by Commissioner Jean Sirois; passed 4-0-1 with Ramzy Kanaan abstaining), and a 9:01 p.m. adjournment (motion by Jean Sirois, seconded by Pam Brangan; passed 5-0).