The DRB, at a November 9 hearing, heard from Attorney David Grayck,
representing Kinny Perot whose property adjoins the land that True North
uses. That land is owned by Tom Barefoot and Joni Zweig. True North
Wilderness is a therapeutic wilderness program for teens that is run by
their daughter Madhuri Maves and her husband Tyler Maves.
AG/RES AND FOREST RESERVE
The 25-acre Zweig/Barefoot parcel is located in the ag/res district as
well as in the forest reserve district and also abuts the Howe Block of
the Camel's Hump State Forest. Most of True North's activities take
place on a small parcel of land in the ag/res district. The rest take
place in the forest reserve section as well as on adjoining state forest
lands.
At issue before the DRB are several items. First, can the use be
accommodated under the zoning that affects the ag/res and forest reserve
portions of the property? Second, if the uses can be legally permitted
under the zoning, do the changes in use pass the conditional use review
criteria, which include, among others, not changing the character of the
area and not impacting the environment and wildlife?
NOT UNDUE
At the November 9 hearing, True North presented testimony by ecologist
Jeffrey Parsons on the environmental impacts of True North's activities,
specifically on the impacts of a proposed alternative tent platform
site. True North has two tent platforms and two yomes as well as two
composting toilets. Participants camp in tents, on the platforms and in
the yomes.
Parsons told the DRB that True North's activities had an adverse impact
on wildlife and the environment but said that he could not state that
that impact was an undue adverse impact.
After Parsons presented his testimony, the board, the applicant and
Grayck discussed ideas about moving the tent platforms and camping sites
to various other locations on the 25 acres, without coming to any final
agreement.
AFTER THE FACT
During a discussion of moving one tent platform and composting toilet,
Madhuri Maves noted that moving the composting toilet could be
expensive, costing several thousand dollars. That prompted Grayck to
note that the composting toilets and camping sites were constructed
before permits were acquired and said that in fairness to his client,
the cost of moving the toilets should not be a consideration in an
"after the fact permitting situation."
"That's irrelevant," responded Claudine Safar, attorney for True North.
"We meet all the criteria," added Shems.
Grayck also raised the issue of True North being registered by the state
of Vermont as a school and asked why the DRB would consider the use as
outdoor recreation. Schools are not permitted in either the forest
reserve or ag/res districts. Grayck also presented the board with a
jurisdictional ruling from Ed Stanak, District 5 coordinator for Act
250, that indicates that the project will require an Act 250 permit. He
also presented the state of Vermont wastewater permit for the project
which allows for approximately half the number of participants that are
currently in the program.
Ron Shems, attorney for Zweig/Barefoot, said that he felt sandbagged by
both the new attorney (Perot has previously been represented by Paul
Gillies) and the information that Grayck presented.
The DRB closed the public hearing and will issue a written decision within 30 days.
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