HALIFAX- The planning commission took a step toward a return to its primary business, planning, at Tuesday night’s regular meeting. Because it has been several months since the board last worked on revising the current town plan, Linda Smith suggested a quick review of work done so far, in order to make sure the proposed changes do not themselves need changing. They did not, but Smith proposed an addition. Noting that the economic development policy section includes an item encouraging quality child care, Smith suggested that support for the town’s elder population should be added. In light of the fact that retirement age residents are a growing segment of the town’s and state’s demographic, board members agreed with Smith. The board then assigned itself another six pages to review and attack at the next meeting.

The board will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, June 26, at 7 pm. John Bennett of the Windham Regional Commission will attend and will advise the board at to what assistance the WRC can give in developing the new town plan.

The board also held another of its informal sessions on proposed developments. Linwood and Amy Abbott presented plans for some changes and additions to their Abbotts Glen property. The plans, which include the addition of a kitchen and a bath house and a change in the siting of a three-bedroom lodge, have already received Act 250 approval. No increase in the number of people using the accommodations is proposed.

In discussing the issues to be addressed at the conditional use hearing for the changes, the board concentrated on an unusual feature of the Abbotts’ plan. While the Abbotts will retain ownership of the land, individual cabins will be sold; purchasers would then pay a yearly fee for the site. Linwood Abbott indicated that some conditions would be attached to the purchase.

Smith wondered whether the arrangement would constitute “cluster housing,” but the board concluded it would not. It is likely that the board will require conditions that would prohibit cabin owners from converting the camp buildings to permanent dwellings, a move that would trigger multiple zoning headaches.

In other business, board chair Howard Alboum reported that the Environmental Court has upheld the board’s approval of Peter and Joan La Fogg’s proposed subdivision of their property on Old County Road North. Alboum also informed board members of a small change to one building lot belonging to the Halifax Falls development. The change increases the amount of flat land in the lot without altering its acreage or its distance from any abutter. Further review was not deemed necessary.