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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Planning Commission - 03/24/2009PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 24 MARCH 2009 The South Burlington Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 24 March 2009, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: R. Kay, Chair; C. Shaw, L. Fife, T. Duff, B. McDonald, M. Beaudin Also Present: P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; A. Frank, M. Birkett; E. Shostrom, The Other Paper 1. Other Business & Announcements: Mr. Conner introduced Eric Shostrom now covering the Planning Commission for The Other Paper. Mr. Conner reported that he met with Marcy Marceau and has been researching her request for a zoning change. He will be speaking again with Bob White and also with the person who evaluated the trees in the orchard. The issue will be on the next agenda. The City Council has been working with The Vermont Land Trust and Vermont Community Development Program funds and with the Town of Shelburne to conserve 84 acres in South Burlington and 60 in Shelburne on the Leduc Farm in the Southeast Quadrant. The area will include public walking paths. UVM has a graduate school class looking at the landscape and ecology the Leduc parcel and the Scott property owned by the city. They will make an interim presentation at the High School on Monday at 3:30 p.m. Mr. Conner and Leo Roy from VHB Consultants updated the City Council on the City Center, specifically the alignment of Market Street. The Council took action on the east end to keep the road in its current alignment and not to move it south. The appraisal of Central School is complete. The property was valued at $2,800,000. This has suggested that at least for the short term the school will remain there. The thought had been that the sale of Central School property – if desired by the School Board ­ could potentially substantially finance upgrades to other schools or the construction of a new school, but the costs for these alternatives are significantly above the appraisal value for Central School’s property. 2. Presentation and Discussion with CCTA: Mr. Frank reviewed the history of CCTA. He noted that it was created in 1973 and now has 7 member towns with Williston and Milton joining last year. There is a 14-member Board of Commissioners (two from each community). CCTA now manages Green Mountain Transit Authority and other bus systems in the Mad River Valley and Franklin/Grand Isle Counties. In FY 2008, ridership was 22,233,481 with the average weekday ridership at 8,341. Mr. Frank showed a map of CCTA routes and graph indicating “park & ride” usage. He also indicated the increase in ridership on the Essex Junction route following the experiment with high-quality, more frequent transit. A map of South Burlington service, including Umall, showed “boardings” at various locations. He noted that UMall ridership is up 15% to date this year. Mr. Frank explained that offering high­quality, more frequent service along Williston Road was among CCTA’s top priorities, having witnessed the success of the upgraded Essex route. Mr. Beaudin asked about connecting service to Tilley Drive and Community Drive. Mr. Conner said the city is close to getting a bike path to cross both of those streets, but noted that while it remains a priority, connecting the 2 roads would be difficult because of the wetlands there. Mr. Duff asked whether CCTA coordinates with the UVM bus system. Mr. Frank said CCTA looked into that, but UVM services a very different market. UVM students can ride free of charge on CCTA, funded by a bulk fee paid for by UVM. Champlain College and St. Michaels do the same, and there are similar arrangements by some businesses. Mr. Kay suggested a link between CCTA and the South Burlington web page. Mr. Fife asked whether all buses are the same size. Mr. Frank said buses range from 25’ to 40’ in length and are sized for peak commuter hours. They try not to buy bigger buses than they need. He noted there are frequently standees on the South Burlington and Essex Junction routes. Mr. Fife suggested the possibility of very small buses to go out to Hinesburg Rd. communities and bring people in to connect to other routes. He also suggested that in peak periods there be private buses/private drivers to carry extra loads instead of having everything paid for by the taxpayers. Mr. Frank then showed a pie chart of where CCTA funding comes from: 24% from local support 20% state support 26% federal support 9% purchase of services 21% passenger fares Mr. Frank said that fares pay for about 23% of the cost. Mr. Frank did note that they have eliminated the old mileage formula and created the opportunity to change and improve routes. Buses also have more bike racks. Mr. Conner suggested the possibility that in land use planning there be a requirement to place housing within a quarter mile of public transit. Future CCTA plans include: A. more direct service B. more frequent service C. ITS elements (turns traffic lights quicker) D. expanded commuter services There are also plans for municipal and business coordination, including: A. “smart business” program B. parking disincentives C. transit/development coordination There is also discussion about a 5-county regional transportation authority and a Regional Board of Directors. Mr. Frank then showed pictures of new bus shelter designs. Mr. Kay suggested the possibility of having UMall put one up. Mr. Conner suggested asking developers to provide land for shelters. Mr. Frank showed a map of potential new routes. He noted that both Tilley Drive and Fletcher Allen are difficult to serve. Sites that are easier to serve include Healthy Living and Winooski Falls/CCV. Mr. McDonald noted that there is an “unofficial stop” in front of Shaws on the link bus, and a lot of people get on there. Ms. Birkett said there had been an issue with people parking in the store lot. Mr. Conner suggested an incentive for a shared use lot. Mr. Conner asked about the possibility of “corridor service” and a time frame. Mr. Frank said the Legislature turned them down on that last year. Ms. Birkett said they hope to start a public process for potential route concepts. Mr. Fife asked about a route to Hinesburg. Mr. Frank said this is being discussed. It would be a commuter route. Mr. Conner said this could address the Tilley Drive issue. 3. Street Name: Members OK’d using “Abby Lane” for a new city street. 4. Comprehensive Plan: Neighborhood Concepts Mr. Conner gave members maps of Commercial/Industrial land use, infill potential and residential land use infill potential. He suggested that there may be a benefit to looking at unit types where 4 units per acre are allowed. Mr. Beaudin cited the importance of keeping workforce housing. He felt there could be a situation where you could sacrifice a small number of workforce housing units where there is a potential for building more workforce housing. Members agreed to continue discussion of neighborhood concepts at the next meeting. As there was no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. _________________________________ Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2014 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.