Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee - 05/11/2020SPECIAL JOINT MEETING: RECREATION & PARKS COMMITTEE AND BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN COMMITTEE 11 MAY 2020 1 APPROVED MINUTES The South Burlington Recreation & Parks Committee and Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee held a special joint meeting on Monday, 11 May 2020, at 6:00 p.m. by interactive remote participation. MEMBERS PRESENT: Recreation & Parks Committee: K. Langrock, Chair; C. Pilsucki, J. Pence, J. Kochman, G. Sproul, R. Poquette, M. Simoneau, L. Wedam; Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee: S. Goddard, Chair; B. Britt, C. Frank, N. Anderson ALSO PRESENT: P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; H. Rees, Director of Recreation and Parks; M. Mittag, B. Sirvis, C. Orben, R. Jeffers, J. Hodgson, F. Kochman, E. Langfeldt, A. Gill, L. Lackey 1. Welcome & Introductions: Ms. Langrock welcomed committee members and members of the public and explained how participation in the remote meeting would work. Committee members then introduced themselves. Mr. Goddard noted that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee did not have a quorum present. Note: with no quorum for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, the meeting is only formally a meeting of the Recreation and Parks Committee. 2. Agenda: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items: Ms. Kochman noted that the Other Paper has listed 4 openings for these committees and cited the need for members to reapply or get other volunteers to apply. Appointments will probably be made in June. 3. Comments & Questions from the public not related to the agenda: No comments or questions were presented. 4. Staff Updates: Ms. Rees reported that information is being sent out every Friday. She then updated the current situation of city parks as follows: a. No programs are allowed to happen. b. Up to 10 people are allowed to recreate in the city parks, maintaining physical distance. c. The Little League season has been cancelled. d. Dog parks are not open, and people walking their dogs need to keep them on a 6- foot or shorter leash. e. No permits are being signed for field requests. 2 Ms. Rees also noted that a number of staff members continue to be on “furlough.” That situation is being updated on Wednesdays. 5. Presentation and discussion of O’Brien Farm Master Plan Concept: Ms. Langrock stressed that this is a “big picture” presentation and is the first of many times this plan will be heard. Mr. Langfeldt then showed the projected overall plan and indicated what has already been permitted. He said the new plan is the next step as they head up the hill to Old Farm Road and then to Kimball Avenue frontage up to the border of Technology Park. There are a number of zoning districts represented in the plan (e.g., R-12, Mixed IC, etc.). Mr. Langfeldt indicated the proposed location of 9 commercial lots at the eastern edge of the property in the Mixed IC district. The plan is to reorient Old Farm Road as it egresses onto Kimball Avenue. The current egress is too close to Kennedy Drive, so they will jog it east to face the existing curb cut across the road. The development is intended as a pedestrian scale neighborhood with connecting bike and rec paths. Mr. Hodgson said that as they develop the open space/rec path plan, there will be a lot of opportunities for open space and connectivity in the neighborhood. He then identified the various proposed open space areas including a wide open, flat green field where folks could throw a ball around, etc. (they are thinking of adding some parking there). Across from the old barn area, there would be a community center. The old part of the barn would remain as a place for residents to gather and where there could be farm/garden plots available for people to use. A swimming pool and children’s splash area are also planned. Mr. Langfeldt noted a “greyed out” area on the plan which is not part of the project as it is privately owned. Mr. Hodgson said they are looking at a path system. He indicated a part of that system in the residential area which would eventually connect up through they “grey lot.” Rec paths would lead to a playground area and around a wetland where they are looking to create a “fitness loop” around the commercial area with fitness stations along the route. A second park location was also indicated where they would be carving out a semi-flat area. Mr. Langfeldt identified an area at the ends of a cul de sac which is planned as a dog park of just under an acre with some adjacent parking. It would be open to the general public. Mr. Gill noted there is not a lot of flat area on the development site. Most land heads uphill toward Old Farm Road, then steeply down to the east. Mr. Langfeldt said they are proposing a mix of living styles from single family town houses to multi- family buildings. The intention is to serve young families, single professionals, retirees, etc., in a multi- generational setting. They are trying to have something to appeal to every generation. Mr. Hodgson identified an area near the pool where there would be a naturalistic play area with boulders, logs, landforms, etc., for children to enjoy. 3 Mr. Langfeldt then showed a plan of both the Hillside property (already being developed) and the new proposal. He said a decision was made not to have a vehicle connection through the commercial area as there is a dramatic change of grade there. That connection would be a walking path. Mr. Gill showed how the path system from the Hillside project would connect to and through the new neighborhood to the border of Technology Park. Ms. Kochman asked if the 15 acres of open space include the wetland. Mr. Gill said there are 17.7 acres of open space and an additional 4.4 acres of wetland. Ms. Kochman asked if the recreation areas would be maintained by the O’Briens or by the city. Mr. Langfeldt said the barn site would be privately maintained. Other spaces are open for discussion. He noted that the O’Briens now maintain the Hillside areas but they will eventually be turned over to the city. Ms. Kochman encouraged incorporating a pickle ball facility in the recreation areas as it is very popular. Mr. Britt asked if the path on Kimball Avenue will connect to Technology Park. Mr. Gill said it will end at their property line. There is a brook and ravine that would have to be crossed, and they don’t propose to do that. The path will connect to Kennedy Drive at Eldridge Street. Mr. Britt asked when the piece to Kennedy Drive would be done. Mr. Langfeldt said they are putting together a phasing plan now. It would probably be done when the road is done. Mr. Goddard noted the effort to close the gaps in rec/bike paths and said the Bike/Ped Committee would like to see that happen. Mr. Gill identified which paths would be for bikes and pedestrians and which would be just paved walking paths. There will be a sidewalk along the main road, on both sides in some places. The Old Farm Road sidewalk will be on both sides of the road. Ms. Frank asked whether bikes could be ridden on the walking paths. Mr. Gill felt they would be OK for smaller bikes but not for bikes a fast speeds, rather like a regular sidewalk. Mr. Kochman asked when the rec path would be done through the grey private area. Mr. Langfeldt said they can’t make a commitment on that because they don’t own the property. It belongs to one O’Brien family member. He noted you can access the barn lot by a sidewalk around the grey area. In response to a request, Mr. Hodgson identified the grade changes and stressed that there is not a lot of flat areas. Mr. Gill added that there will be some areas where stairs will be used to make some connections. He indicated one of those places. There is a similar location on the Hillside property where stairs are being installed. Mr. Anderson asked about slowing speeds on Old Farm Road. Mr. Langfeldt said they are working on that and hope to discourage use of that road as a cut-through. They will be proposing a variety of traffic 4 calming measures (e.g., raised crosswalks, bumpouts, stop signs, etc.). There will be a stoplight at the connection to Kimball Avenue. Old Farm Road will stay a 24-foot road with some possible “pinch-ins.” Mr. Lackey reminded the developers to get in touch with the Airport regarding the heights of trees. Mr. Conner noted that he and the developers are working on a master plan and possibly a preliminary plat for one phase of the development. He will keep the committees up to date on those plans. 6. Overview and discussion of Airport overall landscape plan and Chamberlin Neighborhood Rec Path: Mr. Conner provided some background to the proposal. He noted that Airport has a challenge addressing landscaping needs and has come up with a lot of creative projects (e.g., the rooftop garden on the garage). The DRB has asked for a landscaping master plan to lay out broad strokes of landscaping and connectivity that can be done as Airport projects come in. Mr. Lackey noted the challenge with the Airport and said that this proposal will benefit the whole city. Ms. Orben said they tried first to identify where landscaping could go, but found that was not a good way to go. They decided the best thing to do was to look at Airport Drive and to create a “gateway” to the area and to add more street trees. They are proposing new walls at the entrance and also a rec path on the west side of the road to connect to the city’s rec path system. Ms. Orban showed the route of the path on an overhead photo. Ms. Kochman asked if there would be flowers planted along the path. Ms. Orben said they will be planting flowers at the entrance. Mr. Conner noted that part of the concept is to have the path eventually join the city path at the DeGraf property which is owned by the city. He showed this on an overhead. Ms. Orben said the intention is to start at the south end of Airport Drive and work north with street trees. They would then do the rec path heading from south to north as Airport projects come in. 7. Overview of South Village soccer field status and general design: Mr. Conner showed a plan of South Village and identified Phase 1. He noted that part of the master plan was to include a city soccer field paid for by recreation impact fees from the South Village development as they were collected along the way. He showed the location of the field. Ms. Jeffers said there have been questions regarding farm connectivity and whether traffic to the farm would come through the proposed soccer field parking lot. They will have to maintain a connection to the solar field for maintenance. Ms. Jeffers also indicated an area that was originally though of as a “tot lot” but is now being considered by a Community Pavilion. 5 Mr. Conner noted there is also a question of providing rest rooms as a joint venture with the neighborhood commercial area near the soccer field. He also noted there has been great interest in a location for a basketball hoop. Ms. Jeffers said the hoop could be in the Pavilion area and the restrooms on Lot 11A. They would build them and have the city maintain them. Mr. Anderson said he would like to see more bike parking at the soccer field. Ms. Kochman asked if the soccer field would be maintained by the city. Ms. Jeffers said it would. Ms. Kochman asked who would build and maintain the rest rooms. Ms. Jeffers said the Village will build them and the city will maintain them. Members cited the importance of having rest room facilities near the soccer field. Ms. Frank noted the rec path is not complete to Spear St. She asked if it will be filled in. Ms. Jeffers said it connects to Allen Road East but stops short at the north end. Mr. Britt noted that the particular farm access in question is just for workers, and there is not much traffic that would go through there. He didn’t see an issue. He also cited the need for bicycle parking. Ms. Frank said most of Spear St. is terrible for bikers. She added there is a plan on the northeast corner to have the road continue to South Point and go across Nolan Farm Road, so eventually people could stay off Spear Street to go to Nolan Farm Road. She didn’t know the timeframe. Mr. Conner said staff is currently working on a connection that winds over to Midland Avenue (he showed this on a plan) to close the gaps. Ms. Jeffers asked whether people prefer a “tot lot,” pavilion or basketball in that location. Ms. Kochman said residents want basketball, but with the great views there, a pavilion would be nice. Ms. Rees asked who would maintain a pavilion. Ms. Jeffers said they haven’t thought that far ahead. Mr. Conner asked what is to the right of Lot 11E. Ms. Jeffers said that is a grassy area and the thought is for a pavilion for residents only. She indicated where there would be new homes going in, and the pavilion could be a boost to the farm. Mr. Conner suggested a “tot lot” there as well. Ms. Langrock added that there could be basketball at the other pavilion area. 8. Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee: Consider and possibly approve letter of support for BUILD grant application for bike/ped bridge over I-89: As there was not a quorum of committee members present, this item could not be acted upon. 9. Consider a Possible Executive Session to follow the meeting to discuss real estate related matters where premature public disclosure would put the City at a competitive disadvantage: Mr. Conner noted that no action would be taken following the Executive Session. 6 Ms. Kochman moved that the Recreation and Parks Committee meet in executive session to discuss real estate related matters where premature public disclosure would put the City at a competitive disadvantage and to invite Mr. Conner, Ms. Rees, and interested members of the Bike & Ped Committee to attend. Mr. Sproul seconded. Motion passed by unanimous vote of members of the Recreation and Parks Committee who were present. Members entered executive session at 7:45 p.m. Ms. Kochman moved to adjourn. Mr. Simoneau seconded. Motion passed unanimously. ______________________________________ Clerk