Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Planning Commission - 11/30/2021SOUTH BURLINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 30 NOVEMBER 2021 1 The South Burlington Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 30 November 2021, at 7:00 p.m., in the Auditorium, City Hall, 180 Market Street, and via Go to Meeting remote technology. MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Louisos, Chair; M. Ostby, M. Mittag, D. Macdonald, P. Engels ALSO PRESENT: P. Conner, Director of Planning and Zoning; K. Peterson, City Planner; N. Hyman 1. Instructions on exiting the building in case of an emergency: Instructions on exiting the building in an emergency were provided. 2. Agenda: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items: Members agreed to review the meeting schedule under other business . 3. Open to the public for items not related to the Agenda: No issues were raised. 4. Planning Commissioner announcements and staff report: Ms. Louisos welcomed new City Planned Kelsey Peterson. Ms. Ostby noted an article about Jane Goodall regarding the mapping of underground fungi connections worldwide. Ms. Ostby also expressed concern with the lack of adequate lighting on some roads from 4 p.m. until morning which almost result in the loss of a young cyclist’s life. Mr. Mittag reported that the Climate Action Task Force held its first meeting. Lots of good ideas were floated, and the group received an overview of the structure they will be working with. Mr. Conner suggested having updates from the Task Force as a standing item on future agenda. Mr. Conner reminded members that the Comprehensive Plan expires in 2 years. One question is whether the Task Force report will become part of that plan or will stand on its own. He added that when the Task Force completes its work, the Commission will ramp up work on the Comp Plan. Committees will be asked to report on what they see as progress and “non- progress” from the existing Comp Plan. Ms. Ostby noted that a number of committees are looking at a population study, who is moving to South Burlington and why. 2 Mr. Mittag asked about the All Hazard Mitigation Plan. Mr. Conner said there is a regional plan and a local plan. The regional plan is submitted to FEMA. The plans include mitigation of all forms of emergencies (e.g., natural, pandemic, human caused, etc.). Mr. Conner said he has said the city is interested in looking at this through the climate change lens. 5. View and discuss policies and practices/work plan through the fiscal year: Mr. Conner said the City Council has begun a process regarding how policy work blends with committees regarding things the community wants to accomplish. There would eventually be a “roadmap” for all groups that will allow everyone to be going in the same direction. Members felt that TDR work, infill, and the Neighborhood Commercial PUDs should be done now before the Commission talks on anything else. Mr. Conner felt that can be accomplished within this fiscal year. He also noted the Affordable Housing Committee is interested in working with the Commission especially on infill housing. Ms. Ostby recommended getting input from the Bike/Ped Committee regarding housing in the major corridors. She expressed concern that some of those areas are now very unsafe for cyclists and pedestrians. Ms. Ostby said she would be interested in attending DRB meetings to hear how thin gs are going with the new regulations. She asked Mr. Conner to alert the Commission if there is a DRB hearing on something that the Commission would be interested in. Ms. Louisos then reviewed the list of possible projects for city committees. Mr. Mittag said that changing the name of the LDRs to Land Use Regulations is important. He was sure the Council would go along with it. Mr. Conner stressed that this would have to be considered carefully to avoid any “nuisance legal challenges.” Mr. Conner suggested there be a formal request to the CCRPC to study the question of east - west roads. The Commission can take part of a meeting to draw up a scope of work for them to do. Ms. Ostby asked whether there are things in the area of the bike/ped bridge that the Commission should be thinking about. Mr. Conner said there are: an analysis and study on each side where the bridge lands as well as a possible change to the Official City Map. Ms. Ostby questioned whether they should say that no more one-story buildings be allowed there. Mr. Engels said he would like to be caught up on any potential changes regarding Form Based Code. Mr. Conner reviewed some changes that have been made and said there is still work to be done there including a possible “overall approval” with a draft master plan. 3 Ms. Ostby said she is still interested in requiring “private outdoor space” in residential development. Mr. Conner suggested that the Affordable Housing Committee look at that and at other infill issues. Mr. Macdonald asked about the status of the Airport committee. Ms. Peterson said she is surveying members to see who is still interested in reconvening in December. Mr. Mittag said he believed the UVM issues should be dealt with at a higher level than the Planning Commission. Ms. Ostby said she would like to see the new UVM Master Plan. Following the discussion, Mr. Mittag moved to adopt the broad work plan and to have the Commission work through the plan based on priorities to the extent possible. Ms. Louisos seconded. The motion passed 5-0. 6. Street name request from Burlington Tennis Club: Ms. Louisos said the three options are: Club Place, Club Avenue, and Tennis Court. Mr. Conner said he would recommend not using the “club” names because of simil ar use nearby. Mr. Mittag moved to approve Tennis Court. Mr. Macdonald seconded. Motion passed 5-0. 7. Updated time line for Airport Parkway/Kirby Road Extension Rezoning Task Force: Ms. Peterson said the consultant would like to have her work done by March. There is also still an Acting Director at the Airport (Nick Longo). Mr. Conner said Mr. Longo and the airport engineer are very interested in participating in this work. He suggested a timeline for the end of May. Mr. Macdonald moved to update the completion date for the Airport Parkway/Kirby Road Extension Rezoning Task Force to 31 May 2022. Ms. Ostby seconded. Motion passed 5-0. 8. Minutes of 26 October and 2 November 2021: Mr. Mittag said the list of attendees at the 26 October meeting is not complete. In the minutes of 2 November, on p. 4, last paragraph, line 2, the word “not” should read “another.” 4 Ms. Ostby then moved to approve the Minutes of 26 October and 2 November as amended. Mr. Engels seconded. Motion passed 5-0. 9. Other Business: Mr. Conner said the 14 December meeting will be the only meeting in December. Ms. Louisos said she and Mr. Conner will attend the City Council meeting on 6 December at which the Council will discuss the new LDRs. She and Mr. Conner will provide a gener al overview. One 20 December, the Council will discuss any issues they may have. There has already been questioning regarding the Conservation PUDS, how much land that is currently developable would not be developed, what “walkable” means, and changes from the Arrowwood report. On 3 January, there is a scheduled public hearing at which time the Council could adopt the new LDRs or make changes and warn a second public hearing if those changes are substantial. Ms. Louisos said it seems to work well to have members present and on -line. Mr. Mittag suggested the 14 December meeting be on-line until more is known about the Omicron variant. Mr. Conner said that by law there has to be a physical location. As there was no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned by common consent at 8:53 p.m. Minutes approved by the Planning Commission January 11, 2022