On the agenda: Dorset minutes — Data Center (Oct 6)

Dorset Town Offices:
200 Raptor Ln
Dorset, VT 05251

Town of
Dorset,Vermont

Zoning Administrator Office:
Phone: 802-362-4571 x 5
Fax: 802-362-5156
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.dorsetvt.org

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Town of Dorset Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes of
October 6, 2026
Present:

Gay Squire (Chair), Scott Thompson (Vice Chair), David McAneny, David
Berard, Natalie Quigley, Conor Welch

Also Present:

Tyler Yandow (ZA)

Cc:

All present, K. Wallace, R. Gaiotti

G. Squire opened the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
Chair to Note Any Changes in Agenda
T. Yandow noted item #10, South Dorset Village Center/MPG grant will be discussed at the
November meeting rather than this evening.
Disclosure of Any Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts of interest were disclosed.
Recording of Meeting
The town recorded the audio and video of the meeting. No others recorded the meeting.
Approval of meeting minutes
A motion was made by S. Thompson and seconded by D. Berard, to approve the minutes of
September 1, 2026. Motion carried, 5-0-1. C. Welch abstained having not attended the meeting.
Zoning Administrator Report – T. Yandow noted 7 zoning permits had been issued in
September. Most of the work is smaller scale projects.
Report from BCRC representative – D. McAneny noted the board met September 17, 2026 and
that two items were discussed. One was the development of the Pownal Town Forest while the
other was passage of the Regional Plan.
Design Review Committee – Did not meet in September.
Other business – Data Centers. This topic was brought to the attention of the board by Ken Gilbert
via email to the ZA. G. Squire noted these facilities are getting smaller in size but even those do
not meet the goals of the Town Plan. She also noted these facilities have a significant effect on
emergency services, water usage, and sewer. Large generators are needed for back-up power. Can
Green Mountain Power supply the needed power? If small facilities are permitted, a definition of
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those would be needed. An Act 250 permit may also be required. The board felt the size of these
buildings would limit the potential locations in Dorset. It was the consensus of the board that this
issue should be addressed in the Town Plan. D. McAneny also noted five data centers currently
exist in Vermont. D. Berard suggested this would likely fall under conditional use, and be
permitted in the General Business district only. The town attorney suggests if the town does not
want them, they should be specifically excluded in the Town Plan, Bylaw, or both. Other concerns
were the amount of water needed, and the noise produced. It is not known if Green Mountain
Power can supply what would be needed. S. Thompson cautioned against a total ban, as they may
have future use. A definition of data center from the State would be helpful. It was noted there is
a definition for utility facility in the bylaw which could cover this use. G. Squire questioned which
section of the Town Plan would be suitable for addressing this topic. The board also felt it should
be included in the Bylaw. General Business and Rural Mixed Use seem to be possible zoning
districts. Are there others? Further discussion is needed and will be on the November agenda.
Public comment – None.
Next regular Planning Commission meeting – November 4, 2026, 7:00PM, at the town office
& on Zoom. Note this is a Wednesday because election day is Tuesday.
Adjournment - A motion was made by D. McAneny and seconded by N. Quigley to adjourn the
meeting at approximately 8:00PM. Motion carried 6-0-0.
An audio recording of this meeting was made and is kept at the Dorset town office.
Respectfully submitted,
Tyler Yandow AIA
Zoning Administrator

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