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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Airport Rezoning Task Force - 02/17/2022AIRPORT REZONING TASK FORCE 17 FEBRUARY 2022 The South Burlington Airport Rezoning Task Force held a public input meeting on Thursday, 17 February 2022, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 180 Market Street and by remote electronic participation. Members Present: C. Sargent, K. Robison, I. Bissell, M. Ostby, P. Engels, M. Emery, J. Burton Also Present: P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; K. Peterson, City Planning; B. Saxton, consultant; D. Carman, C. McGeoch, M. Simoneau, L. Marriott, Jacquie, M. Mittag, B. Keim, A. Adams, T. Barritt, C. Weinberg, N. Longo, J. Leas, P. Fleckerstein, M. Gile, P. & C. Stabler, C. Martin, kR. Greco, Bernie, M. Adelman, H. Herenden, J. Woos, G. Poulin, Paul L., Patrick, B. Sirvis, L. Bailey, E. Bonnyman, B. Wild Ms. Sargent and Ms. Peterson explained the process and reviewed the guidelines. The stressed that this is the opportunity for the Task Force to listen to the public. Task Force members agreed unanimously to accept the guidelines. Ms. Peterson then read the list of people who have contributed written comments. These will be provided to Task Force members. Ms. Saxton explained that she is a consultant hired to assist the Task Force in addressing a zoning request from Burlington International Airport (BIA) to rezone some of the “noise land” acquired from Residential to Airport zoning. She then showed a map of the 11 acres involved in the request and noted that the City of Burlington owns 2-1/2 of those acres. The current zoning is R-4. It abuts the Airport District and the Industrial-Commercial District. When BIA made the request, they indicated that a portion of the land to the north of Kirby Road would be used to replace an undersized maintenance facility. Ms. Saxton noted that the Task Force meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month. All information is on the City website. Two meetings of the Task Force will be devoted to public input. The Task Force will be reporting to the Planning Commission by the end of May. If the Planning Commission moves forward on what the Task Force recommends, it would follow the formal process. Ms. Saxton stressed that the Task Force, the Planning Commission, and the City of South Burlington have limited authority to regulate the Airport. The Task Force does, however, want to hear from the public as to what would be an appropriate transition of buffer between residential and airport uses. AIRPORT REZONING TASK FORCE 17 FEBRUARY 2022 PAGE 2 Although BIA has requested Airport Zoning, Ms. Peterson noted that there are other options, and the land does not all have to Airport Zoning. Ms. Emery then moved to open the public hearing. Mr. Bissell seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Public comment was received as follows: James Leas (resident of Butler Drive): He showed a picture of the lower area of the airport which is forested, some of which is ‘high and dry’ and he feels would be plenty of space for the Airport’s use. He showed 2 other areas that could be developed and are designated by the Airport for commercial development. He also showed the existing maintenance building and an area where that building could be expanded in its present location. Paul Fleckenstein (resident of Crowley Street, Burlington): He said the 11 acres is the first of several tracks that BIA will ask to be rezoned. He felt there has already been airport destruction of property, and this request will make it worse. It also affects other communities and is a major contributor to global heating. He questioned whether it is possible to fight the politics behind this. He said BIA brags about demolishing homes, and told people to move if they didn’t like the noise. He felt that BIA needs a new Master Plan and asked that the Task Force “hit the brakes.” Ashley Adams (resident of Burlington): She owns 14 well-maintained apartments in the Chamberlin neighborhood, many for people of reduced means including some directly across from the land that BIA is asking to rezone. She said that BIA has already expanded into the neighborhood, and residents are impacted daily by noise. She felt the airport’s claim that they will contribute to noise abatement to be “absurd.” She asked the Task Force not to degrade the livability for residents and to demonstrate a commitment to the community by finding ways to restore inhabitability in the neighborhood. She felt this is a moral and ethical issue. Michael Mittag (resident of Swift Street): He said that increased noise was allowed over the objections of residents when 200 affordable homes were destroyed. He felt the community should have a say in how these lots are used, and the city should not agree to the rezoning request but be open for public recreation. Planting trees would further abate noise, and the City of Burlington owes the neighborhood at least that and should not profit from the devastation it caused. AIRPORT REZONING TASK FORCE 17 FEBRUARY 2022 PAGE 3 Carl Martin (resident of Marvin St., Montpelier): As a member of the Coalition Against Airport Expansion, he opposes the request. He said it contradicts the goals to address climate change and will contribute to air and noise pollution. He asked the Task Force to reject the request. Matt Gile (resident of Elm St., Waterbury): Has worked for the Winooski School System and cited the effect of “unbearably loud noise” on students. He added that marginalized neighborhood pay the price for growth over environment. Chris Weinberg (resident of Shelburne): Compatibility is a major part of the discussion. He noted that besides property tax, the airport provides well-paying jobs. General Aviation provides for Angel Flight, transportation of wounded veterans and animals being protected from being euthanized. They have had 45 transports in the first 2 months of 2022. He stressed that this does not obviate the concerns of the neighborhood, but he felt it was important to understand that not all airport development is the same. He said general aviation has a lower noise level than street traffic and would continue to insure beneficial flights. Paul Stabler (resident of Clover St.): A buffer would be the continued use of the green space. Residents enjoy walking there. He also questioned the impact of stormwater runoff on the neighborhood and asked the Task Force to reject the request. Jody Wood (resident of Oak St., Burlington): The Airport Master Plan needs reworking. The targets for reduction of greenhouse gases have been missed. He felt that once the airport begins to move forward, it will be difficult to stop them. Ed Bonnyman (resident of Victory Drive): He was surprised that people put up with the contempt from BIA people, and he was skeptical about the plans. He noted there are planes in Germany now that use reduced amounts of fuel, and it will be possible to open up small airports and make 6-passenger planes profitable. Roseann Greco (resident of 4 Sisters Rd.): She sympathizes with the people in the Chamberlin neighborhood and felt what has happened to the neighborhood is heartbreaking. She asked the Task Force not to rezone for the following reasons: the climate crisis, the livability of people in the neighborhood, the need for green space in that neighborhood. She said that no economic benefit is worth people’s quality of life. Barbara Sirvis (resident of Summer Woods): The city is in an affordable housing crunch, and BIA took away a lot of it. She questioned whether to trust what is behind the lines in BIA’s request. AIRPORT REZONING TASK FORCE 17 FEBRUARY 2022 PAGE 4 Beverly Keim (resident of Stonehedge): Strongly supports comments regarding livability in neighborhoods and questioned the perceived capacity of Chittenden County to absorb a large airport. There is no room for an ever-increasing airport. She does not support rezoning and sees it as a first step toward “where does it end?” Patrick McCormack (former South Burlington resident now living in Essex): He indicated he left South Burlington because of the noise from the airport and watching his 2 year old have to cover his ears. He is proud of how South Burlington has handled COVID and cited the gorgeous new City Hall/Library. But he was horrified to hear of this rezoning request. He feels Chamberlin is “the graveyard of a community.” He cited a natural buffer as a better way to use this space. Brett Wild (resident of Berkeley St.): People are leaving the Chamberlin neighborhood because the noise is horrendous. Planes take off at 3 a.m., and windows vibrate. He described it as “the sound of hell.” He questioned whether the airport really wants to push people out. They said they were going to try to stop having the planes take off when kids are getting out of school, but did nothing about it. Since the 200 homes were destroyed, there is more drug use in the neighborhood, people are breaking into homes carrying guns. The Chief of Police said nothing like that has ever been seen in South Burlington before. He felt the hearings are “lip service,” and the politicians have already made their decisions and it’s “baked in the cake.” Marguerite Adelman (resident of Winooski): Grew up next to an airport in Chicago and watched how it expanded into her community. She is very disillusioned about democracy and voices not being heard. It will take 25 years to get sound mitigation to her home. She felt that any money should go for trees and that the people’s voices will finally be heard. Roland Gruenevald (resident of Golf Course Road): He is co-owner of Onlogic and a private pilot who strongly supports the rezoning.. He said it has nothing to do with the F35s. He also said BIA is the core of the economic future of Vermont, and the buildings are important for the function of the airport and will provide a buffer from noise. He said the Beta project is limiting the space for other airport uses. Cyndy McGeoch (resident of Lime Kiln Road): There should be an environmental, parking and runoff analysis before making a decision. If those are single pilot planes, where is the parking for plane owners to be. She was totally against the rezoning. AIRPORT REZONING TASK FORCE 17 FEBRUARY 2022 PAGE 5 Mr. Leas (a second opportunity to speak): He noted there will be a hotel next to the parking structure and there is space next to hat for a snow removal building. He showed additional pictures o land already zoning commercial on the airport, some of which is already used for commercial purposes. Ms. Emery said she would like to find a way to engage residents who don’t feel comfortable speaking at meetings. She cited the residents of Ms. Adams’ building who live right across from the proposed rezoning parcel. Ms. Sargent said she would like the Task Force to discuss the impact on affordable housing from BIA’s request. Other Business: Ms. Peterson noted the next meeting of the Task Force will be on 3 March. As there was no further business to come before the task force, Ms. Emery moved to adjourn. Mr. Bissell seconded. Motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.