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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Planning Commission - 01/27/2009PLANNING COMMISSION 27 JANUARY 2009 The South Burlington Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 27 January 2009, at 7:30 p.m., in the conference room, Audette Public Works Building, 104 Landfill Road. Members Present: R. Kay, Chair; T. Duff, C. Shaw, D. Boyle, M. Beaudin, B. McDonald, L. Fife Also Present: P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; J. Nick 1. Recognition of Mike Flaherty: Commission members recognized Mike Flaherty, former City Council Chair, State Legislator and Airport Commission who passed away last week. 2. Land Development Regulations – specific considerations: a. Review of drive-through commercial operations: Mr. Conner reviewed the history of this issue and noted that the City Council had passed a regulation that only banks may have drive-throughs. The Council recommended that Mr. Nick, who had raised an issue about this, speak with the Commission. Mr. Nick said he represents J. L. Davis Realty which, in turn, represents a number of pharmacies looking to come into the area. He asked that the Commission reconsider the ban on drive-throughs noting that their competitors have them (e.g., Kinney Drug) and that the impact of pharmacy drive-throughs is very minimal. During the peak hour, 6-10 cars use a drive-through; during other hours, hardly anyone at all uses them. Mr. Nick also felt that the aesthetic impacts can be minimized. He noted that customers who use a pharmacy drive-through are mostly the handicapped, elderly, and parents with sick or sleeping babies in a car seat. Pharmacies only allow drive-throughs to be used for prescription drugs. Mr. Nick suggested that the City permit drive-throughs as a conditional use. Mr. Conner noted that previously drive-throughs for uses other than food were allowed as part of a PUD. Mr. McDonald was concerned with a “ripple” effect with others who will want drive­throughs. Mr. Kay noted that many super markets have pharmacies as well. Mr. Conner added that WalMart is currently exploring its first drive-through pharmacy. Mr. Shaw asked if the presence of a drive-through creates more impervious surface. Mr. Nick said it does, but they can use different kinds of pavers that have a pervious surface. Mr. Beaudin was OK with allowing a conditional use, depending on the site. He suggested there be specific criteria to be met in order to get a conditional use. Mr. Duff said he would not want to allow them in the Central District and would try to discourage them but not eliminate them. Mr. Fife asked where Mr. Nick’s clients would like to have pharmacies with a drive­through. Mr. Nick said between a commercial and a residential area. Mr. McDonald said he would lean toward a conditional use for a single, stand-alone building. He also suggested adding this to the transportation/walkability study to get some good feedback. Mr. Conner said the aim is to slowly transform Shelburne and Williston Roads into places where someone could get out of a car and do 2 or 3 errands at one time. He said his major concern with drive-throughs is that they require 3 paved sides. He noted the drive-through on Williston Rd. has 4 paved sides. Mr. Shaw agreed that this use should not be in the City Center, but he felt a conditional use elsewhere sounded appropriate. Mr. Conner said he would not want to create a situation where allowing a use in the “far reaches” of the city encouraged businesses to establish themselves in those locations instead of more central location. Members agreed to consider the use for districts other than the Central District. 3. Directors Report: a. Airport Re-Use Plan (summary of City Council action) & Master Plan: Mr. Conner reported that about 85 citizens attended the Council meeting at which the Airport continued its presentation on the re-use plan. Many concerns were raised, including the effects that the removal of homes will have on remaining properties’ noise levels. Mr. Conner added that the City faces a challenge, in that residents of the area have varying opinions regarding the removal of homes and the future re-use of the area. Mr. Beaudin felt there is no perfect solution, only the hope for a good compromise. Mr. Conner noted that the Airport will eventually come in to talk about some rezoning. It appears from their initial work-ups that they are looking at two parking garages with a small hotel between them. b. Comprehensive Plan – Energy Chapter: Mr. Conner noted that the City received an $8,000 grant (80% of what was requested) from the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Affairs to complete work on the Comprehensive Plan. He suggested that the City’s new 10­member Energy Committee review the Plan’s energy chapter and make recommendations to the Planning Commission. c. Family Child Care Facilities Technical Correction: Mr. Conner noted that while the City Council had passed the zoning amendments as written, they had requested the Planning Commission return with a separate amendment to resolve a technical correction to require Site Plan Review for Family Child Care Homes serving more than six full time children. The Planning Commission reviewed the technical correction and agreed to include it with the next set of amendments. 4. CCMPO Transportation Act Grant: “Cars to people: commercial land regulation transformed: Mr. Conner reported that the City had received a $50,000 grant from the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization to revise its Land Development Regulations for commercial development. Among the questions the project will seek to answer is how to design a site to accommodate 80 parking spaces needed for a commercial use needed where only 50 may be needed in the future. Mr. McDonald asked what has happened to the Route 2 Corridor Study. Mr. Conner said it is done and he will provide a summary to members at the next meeting. He noted there is a lot of talk about increasing transit in that area. It was suggested that this Corridor Study be the subject of a future meeting of the Planning Commission. 5. Approve Minutes of 13 January 2009: Mr. Beaudin moved to approve the Minutes of 13 January 2009 as written. Mr. Boyle seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Executive Session: Mr. McDonald moved that the Commission meet in executive session to discuss land acquisition and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Mr. Boyle seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Regular Session: As there was no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. _________________________ Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2014 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.