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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Planning Commission - 06/13/2023SOUTH BURLINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 13 JUNE 2023 1 The South Burlington Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 13 June 2023, at 7:00 p.m., in the Auditorium, City Hall, 180 Market Street, and via Zoom. MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Louisos, Chair; M. Mittag, D. MacDonald, P. Engels, D. Leban, L. Smith ALSO PRESENT: K. Peterson, City Planner; H. Riehle, I. Bissell, M. Emery, R. Doyle, B. Milizia 1. Instructions on exiting the building in case of an emergency: Ms. Louisos provided instructions on emergency exit from the building. 2. Agenda: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items: No changes were made to the agenda. 3. Open to the public for items not related to the Agenda: A member of the public asked whether the regulations allow the Airport to use land on the west side at the end of White Street at very end of Airport Drive. There are 20+ cars there, many from out of state, some for sale. Mr. Peterson noted that area is zoned “Airport.” She showed it on the zoning map. Mr. Bissell said he understand there was discussion about straightening the Airport fence which would add more land inside the fence. Ms. Peterson said there was discussion about a green buffer between that neighborhood and a realigned Airport Parkway. The remaining area to the north and northeast would be considered in a neighborhood planning project. She showed the area on the map and noted that a potential option would allow the Airport to change the future land use map to swap two pieces of property. The community would not lose any land. Mr. Bissell said neighbors would oppose that option as the area in question is heavily used for recreation. Ms. Louisos noted the future land use map is not a zoning map; it is for discussion. 4. Planning Commissioner announcements and staff report: There were no announcements or additions to the written staff report. SOUTH BURLINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 13 JUNE 2023 2 5. City Plan 2024: Ms. Louisos noted that the meeting packet items include comments received from committees. She noted that at the first meeting in July, the complete Plan draft will be available for public comment. There will be many weeks after that to address concerns. The Introductory section of the Plan is on the next agenda. Ms. Peterson said subsections can be moved around if the Commission feels it is appropriate. One of the meetings in July or the first meeting in August will be a public listening session, not a formal public hearing. Mr. Engels asked if there will be a joint meeting with the City Council in July. Ms. Louisos said there is an opportunity at the meeting on 17 July to provide the Council with an update on the Commission’s progress. Community History and Culture: Mr. Smith suggested an indigenous history map as the plan is very scant on this. He suggested moving Mr. Mittag’s proposed language to the top of the section. Mr. Conner noted the history of the area goes back even further to when there was an inland sea and native peoples. There was whale hunting along the shores. Ms. Leban said what has never been recognized is the value of high-quality building design that is climate responsive. Buildings can be an art form. She cited the new City Hall building as an example of high quality building. She suggested adding the words “and high quality, climate responsive design.” Mr. Smith suggested adding the words “and across time” and “native American population” to the first sentence. Ms. Peterson was OK with the latter addition but not with “across time.” Natural Resource Protection: Mr. Mittag suggested adding the word “existential” before “crisis.” Ms. Leban asked where, under goals, does an increase in community gardens come from. Ms. Peterson said it was a recommendation of the Natural Resources Committee. Ms. Leban said there are so few that doubling them doesn’t get you much. She asked whether there is anything the city can do to make it easier to have community gardens. She noted that some homeowner associations do not welcome them. Ms. Peterson said the city doesn’t require SOUTH BURLINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 13 JUNE 2023 3 them, but they could be encouraged. Mr. Mittag noted that in 2 condo association gardens the residents lost interest. He suggested the possibility of a community garden on some of the Airport owned land. Ms. Legan said that “New Americans” should not be singled out for equitable garden space; it should be equitable for everyone. Mr. Mittag suggested bullet points at the beginning of each section and also saying that the city would provide resources to do it. Ms. Peters on said that would be a budgeting decision for future City Councils. Implementing something is fine; funding it is not. Ms. Louisos noted that instead of city funding there could be grants or volunteers. Mr. Smith said he would like to see an “unbuilt areas” plan. Ms. Peterson said there is a rough plan of that. She noted that open space within a built area may fall into the parks section. Ms. Leban noted there is no mention of “smoke.” Mr. Smith suggested a climate change section above the air quality sections. He also suggested in the last paragraph under agriculture “protect undeveloped lands for agricultural potential.” He noted South Burlington has very little agricultural land left and suggested land for small farming. Ms. Leban said there is no money in it, and those farms go out of business in a few years. Regarding the paragraph on soils, Mr. Mittag asked to change “minimize” to “prevent.” He also wanted to remove the reference to affordable housing in the agricultural paragraph. Ecological Resources: Ms. Leban suggested changing “should” to “will minimize tree removal.” She also asked to add to the last sentence under wildlife “learn to balance wildlife needs with human needs.” Members questioned possibly having an action related to the goal of community gardens. Ms. Peterson said where community gardens could go can fall under the Parks section. Surface and Ground Water: Ms. Leban said “gasoline and chemical contamination” should be added under water quality. Ms. Peterson said the city does not have the authority to regulate pesticides, etc. SOUTH BURLINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 13 JUNE 2023 4 Regarding light pollution, Ms. Leban said she had provided language to Ms. Peterson as the current language makes no sense. She felt the new guidelines are the best standard. Both Ms. Emery and Ms. Riehle spoke to the need to address noise pollution, not only from the Airport but also from the Interstate. Ms. Louisos felt that could go in the housing section. Housing: Mr. Mittag said he wasn’t in favor of using the word “crisis” regarding housing. There is a shortage which can be solved. Ms. Peterson said this was direct feedback from the Affordable Housing Committee. Mr. MacDonald agreed it is a crisis though not at the level of the climate crisis. Mr. Smith said, “If I don’t have a house, it is a crisis.” Members agreed to retain the word “crisis.” Mr. Smith suggested in the last paragraph changing “growing” business to “sustaining” business. Ms. Peterson said “growing” is the language from the Economic Development Committee. Ms. Louisos said that together with the word “local,” she was OK with “growing.” Mr. Mittag said that in the 3rd paragraph, “climate mitigation goals” should be “Climate Action Plan goals.” Ms. Leban asked whether there can be specific affordable housing targets for families with children. She noted the friction in some new buildings with unsupervised children. She suggested that apartment buildings may not be the most appropriate housing for families with teenagers. Short Term Rental: Ms. Peterson noted that the City Council is working on language which will be added in this section. Ms. Emery cited the need for children and teens to have a place to play. Ms. Louisos said there is a section on park-related items. She asked whether this should be in the housing section as well. Ms. Peterson noted there is a requirement for site amenities, and developers have the option of which amenities to choose. SOUTH BURLINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 13 JUNE 2023 5 A member of the audience said big apartment complexes also need a place for dogs, not necessarily a dog park. Another audience member said in addition to “housing crisis,” there should be mention of the “affordability crisis.” Transportation: Ms. Leban noted complaints about the lack of parking in public spaces such as Veterans Park. She questioned why everyone has to arrive in a separate vehicle and felt people are too wed to their cars. Mr. Smith asked whether it is possible to get lower speed limits. Ms. Peterson noted that the city has petitioned the state to lower speed limits on state roads and has been turned down. Mr. Smith said Burlington has gotten speed limits below 25 mph, and he would like to see South Burlington get that as well. Members agreed to language “to explore options for reducing speed limits.” Under multiple user types, Ms. Leban suggested removing the word “emphasize” as she didn’t want to emphasize off-road bike paths over on-road. Mr. Mittag felt that Exit 13 should be considered before 12B as only one city committee favored 12B. Ms. Emery cited the need to have bus routes to get residents of Hinesburg Road to places like UMall. She was willing to provide some language. Ms. Peterson wasn’t sure where that falls in the language of the plan and read language that she felt applies. Ms. Emery felt this was necessary both for economic growth and for residents. Mr. Doyle suggested not using words like “shared use path” and “bike lanes” and suggested “bike-ped infrastructure” as there are more updated types of that infrastructure. Ms. Louisos said that would work in some places, but there are other places where the specific types work. Ms. Peterson said “bike-ped infrastructure” is fine. Recreation: Mr. Mittag said there should be a distinction between active and passive recreation. SOUTH BURLINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 13 JUNE 2023 6 Mr. Smith suggested commercial uses adjacent to parks such as a sandwich shop. Mr. Mittag asked to add the acquiring of land in City Center for a “village green.” Ms. Peterson noted staff has not yet received comments from the Parks/Recreation Committee which met last night. 6. Other Business: Members agreed to the following schedule: June 27 June 29, if needed July 11 and 25 August 8 and 22 As there was no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned by common consent at 10:03 p.m. ___________________________________ Clerk