By Curt Peterson
The Killington Select Board made some significant adjustments in zoning setback requirements during a hearing that was part of its Dec. 12 meeting.
The area covered includes two “hamlets” within the town, and a section called “the valley,” all on Route 4 on the East side of town.
According to Town Manager Chet Hagenbarth, the first hamlet starts approximately at River Road, including Goodro Lumber on North side, and on the South side continues approximately to the Water Wheel store. From there to approximately Johnson Road is “the valley.”
The second affected hamlet begins there and continues to West Bridgewater.
According to Select Board member Jim Haff, Planning Commission members wanted to clarify setbacks in these areas during the hearing. The adjustments will be included in the warning for the second hearing in 14 days.
Selectman Steve Finneron pointed out that the setbacks reference the state highway right of way, not the individual property lines or the actual road itself. The right of way, he said, “is massive.”
Each of the cited districts had its own set-back requirements in the existing zoning ordinance — the hamlets, for example, required 50-foot front setbacks, and 25-foot side setback. In the valley, front set-back had to be 100 feet and sides 200 feet.
The changes would make all set-back requirements the same for all three districts. Hagenbarth said that all districts will now have 20-foot front set-back regulations, and side and rear set-backs will be 25 feet in all three.
The Ottauquechee River and associated wetlands follow the North side of Route 4, and the state requires a 50-foot buffer between the river’s high water mark and any structure. That will not change.
