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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Planning Commission - 12/16/2014 PLANNING COMMISSION 16 DECEMBER 2014 The South Burlington Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 16 December 2014, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: T. Harrington, Acting Chair; T.Riehle, S. Quest, G. Calcagni, B. Gagnon Also Present: P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; S. Dopp 1. Agenda Review: No changes were made to the Agenda. 2. Comments & Questions from the Audience, not related to Agenda items: No issues were raised. 3. Planning Commissioner announcements and staff report: Ms. Quest: Noted that the Energy Committee received an award as the best in Vermont. Mr. Conner: The next Commission meeting will be on 13 January 2015. The full application for the power line under Lake Champlain has been received. 4. Consider approval of proposed street names: Rye Circle, Landon Road, Winter Lane, Fall Street: Mr. Riehle moved to approve the street names as proposed. Mr. Gagnon seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Naming project “Dumont” Park: Members discussed whether to have a naming contest/event for Dumont Park. They agreed to take no action. 6. Initial Discussion of CCRPC Unified Planning Work Program Projects for FY2016: Mr. Conner reviewed the history and directed attention to the list of current projects. He said staff’s initial recommendation for this year is to clear the slate on the projects the city already has plus do two other transportation projects. Those 2 projects are: 1. Williston Rd. Network analysis (part 2). This would envision transportation solutions in line with current planning (e.g., creating incentives for walking, cycling, etc.). Phase 2 would take the technical analysis and work with property owners to get a solution (e.g., a parallel road, closing some driveways, widening the right-of-way for a sidewalk, etc.). 2. The Tilley Drive area, including UVM’s long‐term plan: the rea is not well served by transit, and there is a “patchwork” of solutions now. Mr. Conner said staff will put together proposals so the Commission can take action at the next meeting. 7. Appointment of representative to the Chamberlin-Airport Neighborhood Planning Committee: Mr. Riehle nominated Ms. Harrington. Ms. Quest seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Conner noted that staff, RPC and the city are interviewing potential consultants and hope to have someone on board in January. The Council will appoint 10 people to the committee. The deadline to apply is 30 December. 8. Update on draft amendments to the Land Development Regulations: Mr. Conner noted that the Technical Review Committee received a letter from a number of stakeholders regarding the draft amendments. Staff decided to host a listening session with stakeholders on Thursday afternoon. Members of the Technical Committee have been invited to attend. Issues relating to technical things will go to the Technical Committee; policy questions will be directed to the Planning Commission (block standards). A few months ago, the Commission looked at cul de sac standards to see if cul de sacs can be made smaller. This may get into the current round of amendments. With form based codes, there are newer standards for distances between street trees. Staff is exploring to see if they can find a standard for absorbable earth per tree. Mr. Gagnon asked about a code for the rest of the city. Mr. Conner said staff hasn’t had a chance to get to that yet. It will depend on how soon they get the City Center form based code done and can see how well it works. 9. Underwood Property Visioning Project Update: Ms. Quest advised that the task force voted not to have housing on the property. They are looking at school farm and community gardens where there are prime ag soils and possible recreation areas for young children. There will be a lot of signage regarding wildlife, wetlands, etc., and possibly a trail all the way around the property. The next committee meeting is 15 January with a public meeting on 29 January. 10. Review of development and planning projects in 2014: Mr. Conner reviewed the results of some recent zoning changes as follows: A. Height: 28 foot maximum with no more than one story higher than what is around the proposed housing. So far this is working well. Standards for telecommunications facilities are arousing some difficulty. B. Changes related to lot frontages and defining house types: in R-1, R-2 and R-4 there must be at least 50 feet of frontage per lot. This mostly works well but has precluded some infill. House styles work well on larger projects. The DRB is working through how house styles get applied. C. 4 years ago changes were made regarding how parking is looked at on a parcel. This has worked pretty well, but it gets tricky with some residential buildings. The most difficult thing occurs with the requirement for 50% of the amount of “building” along the street can be parking. Staff may come back with some tweaks to this. Currently, some setback wavers are being required; staff would prefer to have a better standard. D. Minor expansion to properties, especially industrial - with big trucks coming in and out, business owners are trying to separate cars and trucks. Staff may come back with some tweaks on this. 11. Other Business: Mr. Conner reminded members that the next meeting on 15 January 2015. 12. Minutes of 18 November 2014: Ms. Quest moved to approve the Minutes of 18 November 2014 as written. Mr. Gagnon seconded. Motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned by common consent at 8:15 p.m. , Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works. From: Brad Dousevicz [mailto:dousevicz@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, November 17, 2014 3:04 PM To: Paul Conner Cc: David Marshall; Guy Babb Subject: Re: Rye Street names Fall St is fine. Thanks Paul Guy- please see the final street names for Rye in this email. Brad On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 2:51 PM, Paul Conner <pconner@sburl.com> wrote: Hi Brad, Yes, Winter Lane works. So in sum: Rye Circle Landon Road Winter Lane Fall Road – What about making this one Fall Street, so as to separate it a little more from Falls Rd in Shelburne? 575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 tel 802.846.4106 fax 802.846.4101 www.sburl.com MEMORANDUM TO: South Burlington Planning Commission FROM: Paul Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning SUBJECT: Initial Discussion: FY ‘16 CCRPC Unified Planning Work Program projects DATE: December 9, 2014 Planning Commission meeting Again this year the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission is seeking input on possible transportation planning projects they should undertake in their next fiscal year in support of South Burlington. Over the last couple of years, the City has been the beneficiary of several projects, many of which are presently underway. Staff’s initial recommendation this year is to focus first on completing existing projects, and then to seek assistance in two larger-scale transportation-land use projects. Below please find a brief status report on the currently-approved projects: 1. Williston Road Network Analysis Phase I Description: Analysis of the medium to longer-term transportation improvements – with a focus on multi-modal transportation and transportation demand management – to align with the FBC and TIF plans for the area. Status: The consultant has completed the updates to the transportation model and they are working on future scenarios. We should be wrapping this project up in the early spring. 2. Chamberlain Neighborhood - Airport Area Plan Description: Neighborhood land use and transportation plan for the Chamberlin area. Status: Ads for the project’s Planning Committee were published over the last couple of weeks; the City Council will be interviewing candidates and making appointments in December and early January. Consultant proposals have been received and are under review. The project is expected to kick off formally in Jan 2015 and run through December. 3. Multi-Site Transportation Facilities Stormwater Impacts Scoping Description: Perform the initial site assessments of several potential stormwater retrofit improvements around the city to bring these projects towards construction. Status: Consultant has been hired by the CCRPC and begun work. Expected to run through the spring. 2 4. Traffic Overlay District Regulations Update Description: Project will be to overhaul the City’s Traffic Overlay District Regulations to better support transportation improvements and overall transportation demand management. Status: Not yet started. Anticipated start spring 2015. 5. City Parks ADA Accessibility Analysis Description: Perform an assessment of improvements to be made to make city mores more accessible to all. Status: A draft report has been prepared, and reviewed by the Recreation-Leisure Arts Committee and staff. The final report will be provided to the city early in the new year. 6. Sidewalk/Shared Use Path gaps scoping Description: undertake first stage of planning (“scoping”) of 5-6 identified recreation path / sidewalk connections within the Capital Improvement Plan. Status: Started in November 2014. Expected to run into summer 2015. 7. Dorset Street Adaptive Signal Control / Williston & Dorset Street Signals analysis Description: These are two separate projects to look at signal systems, intersections, and technology along this corridor. Status: Initial framing of the scope of work underway. Expected to continue in FY 2016. 8. City Center FBC Post-Adoption adjustments Description: Funding to assist with future adjustments to the City Center FBC following its initial adoption. Status: Not yet started. Expected start a few months after adoption of the City Center FBC. As noted above, Staff’s initial recommendation is to focus on completing the project list above. In our initial discussions with the CCRPC, we have identified two potential additional projects for next year: 9. Williston Road Network Analysis Phase II Description: Still under development, but would focus on the next level of detail from the Phase I effort. Could include scoping of potential transportation projects identified in Phase I and public outreach with the community and property owners. 10. Kimball Ave / Kennedy Drive / Tilley Drive / Old Farm Road / Hinesburg Road Network Analysis Description: Still under development, but begin to plan the future multi-modal transportation system to serve the anticipated future development in this area, including potential Fletcher Allen and other projects. WHATLEYRDUPSWEPTLNNOWLANDFARMRDSPEAR STCity of South BurlingtonUnderwood PropertySite MapDRAFT: September 18, 2014¹2000200100FeetSources: Parcels & Roads represent best available information from South Burlington (2014), Imagery (2013) provided by South BurlingtonUnderwood ParcelTax Parcel P:\Planning&Zoning\Planning\AssortedTasks\UnderwoodProperty\Underwood_Site Map.mxd Prepared by Madeline Brumberg SOUTH BURLINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUITES 18 NOVEMBER 2014 1 The South Burlington Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 18 November 2014, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Harrington, Acting Chair; B. Gagnon, T. Riehle, G. Calcagni, S. Quest, B. Benton ALSO PRESENT: P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; I. Blanchard, Project Manager; R. Mahony, CCRPC 1. Agenda: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items: No changes were made to the agenda. 2. Comments & Questions from the public not related to the Agenda: No issues were raised. 3. Planning Commissioner Announcements and Staff Report: Ms. Quest: Attended an energy fair put on by the Energy Committee at the Lutheran Church Noted that at last night’s Council meeting, the City Council increased the wastewater allotment for City Center to 150,000 gallons per day. Ms. Quest asked about a public vote on City Center mentioned by Councilor Shaw. Mr. Conner said the public would vote on expenditures for the TIF. Ms. Blanchard added that before a vote can be had the city must submit a financing plan, which they hope to do in the coming summer followed by a special election . Mr. Conner: The Chamberlin neighborhood study is moving along. RFP for a consultant is out, and the ad for committee members will appear this week and next week in The Other Paper. The Committee will include a Planning Commission member. Staff asked the City Council for feedback on adjustments to the Impact Fee Ordinance. The first change would redesign the list of projects to align with the CIP. The second would create a public facilities impact fee for the Council to consider. The Council indicated support for staff to move forward with those. The committee for the Underwood property is set. Their site visit had to be rescheduled due to weather conditions. The city’s New Town Center designation is up for reapproval in 2015. Mr. Conner said staff will be preparing the re-approval documents. 2 Staff is meeting with various groups regarding Fletcher Allen’s new outpatient plans in South Burlington. The hope is to be sure the city is ahead of the plans instead of coming up with solutions afterward. Mr. Riehle suggested a chart to track wastewater use/capacity. 4. Sustainable Agriculture Subcommittee status report and consideration of public outreach: Ms. Quest reviewed the list of what the committee is working on. She noted there are 3 women from UVM who are working with them. The committee hopes to send a letter to landowners regarding use of land for agriculture. Mr. Gagnon questioned how to incorporate the items on the committee’s list into development. Mr. Conner said that to be required, they would have to be in the regulations. Today, he noted, many of these options can be done within the current regulations, but are not mandated. The current regulations regarding such things as livestock will need to be looked at, though, consistent with state law. 5. Consider Approval of City Center/Dumont Park Purpose & Need Statement: Ms. Blanchard said the park is being called City Center Park and will be formally re-named at some point. The Purpose and Need Statement includes 5 different needs: 1. Passive recreation needs (quality of use in the community) 2. Improved connections to surrounding areas; keep it a safe place 3. Enhance optics to enjoy natural features and showcase them 4. Protect natural resources 5. Create a park plan to enhance/improve on park features Mr. Riehle asked if the park will be ADA compliant. Ms. Blanchard said some parts will be. Mr. Riehle suggested some attractive lighting. He also suggested raising some of the paths so they can be accessible more of the year. Ms. Blanchard said there is a suggestion for boardwalks, bridges, etc.. The hope is to move as little soil as possible. Ms. Blanchard noted there will be a community meeting to outline alternatives. It will then go to the City Council for approval. Landworks is the lead consultant for the project with other consultants for various tasks. 3 Mr. Gagnon moved to approve the Purpose & Need Statement for City Center Park, formerly known as Dumont Park. Mr. Riehle seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Presentation of recently passed State Statutes regulating development: Ms. Mahony said a number of changes affect the Act 250 process and other areas of development: 1. Criteria 9L is changes from “rural growth areas” to “settlement patterns.” The aim is to control sprawl. If you are not in an “existing settlement,” you have to be efficient about the use and have to infill in strip development. Ms. Mahony showed a project in Colchester which is in the Act 250 process now and a Shelburne project where there is a question of whether it is “infill.”. She also noted that this criteria does not consider municipal zoning. Mr. Conner said there many be ways to refine a development so it can meet the criteria/code. Ms. Mahony said the business community is expecting a lot of litigation on this. 2. Criteria 5b relates to transportation demand management and requires a developer to be sure to plan for all forms of traffic. 3. The Legislature has passed an act that allows the state to collect transportation impact feed. VTrans can collect directly only after they create a transportation improvement area. Incoming projects pay for this based on trip ends. Fees can be reduced by such things as providing childcare in a facility and reducing trip ends. 4. The Vermont Shoreland Protection Act affects shoreland on Lake Champlain (and other bodies of water) and development within 250 feet of the Lake. The act does recognize existing property. Mr. Riehle asked if City Center would fall under Act 250. Mr. Conner said Market Street would and the Central School property probably would, but the New Town Center area probably would not because it has rules that guard against strip development. Mr. Riehle asked Ms. Mahony what a “growth area” means. He noted that the CCRPC has designated South Burlington as a “growth area.” Ms. Mahony said this is based on municipal zoning. She noted that 80% of development happens within areas meant for growth, which is only about 15% of the entire area of Chittenden County. She showed areas on the map that a planned for growth. Areas with municipal water and sewer are “primed” for growth, though maybe not at the same level of density. 7. Review of draft amendments to the Land Development Regulations: a. Status report of City Center FBC: 4 Mr. Conner said staff is working on building frontage/façade language. They hope to give the Commission a full draft in the next 2 meetings. There will be a full legal review after that. The next big task will be setting a new version of a PUD. The city has applied for a grant on this to come up with rules that developers can plan for and still have flexibility for a changing market. b. Public Notice Requirement under the draft City Center FBC: Mr. Conner said he feels this is still a bit “wordy.” The process includes the following: 1. A required pre-application meeting with staff 2. A submission of everything that is required 3. Expanded notice to abutters 4. Invitation to an applicant-sponsored meeting (for a larger project) 5. Any significant changes would start the clock again Mr. Conner noted the Design Review Committee has voted to recommend a pre-application meeting involving design review, but the results would not be binding. Their recommendation will be provided to the Commission at an upcoming meeting. c. Draft Language for Dog Grooming Use: Mr. Conner said staff is recommending that pet grooming be included within the definitions of pet boarding, day care, and veterinary categories, as a follow up the Commission’s vote at the previous meeting. There may be some areas where only pet grooming is allowed, as there currently are. d. Review Categories of Uses Table of Uses that are either not defined, have vague definitions, or are outdated – specifically the topics of: warehousing, processing, storage and distribution; retail services and general merchandise stores; and manufacturing: Mr. Conner noted that warehousing and processing/storage have 2 definitions. Staff wants to come back with suggestions on how to do this better. One suggestion is to look at the “impact of a use” instead of the “nature of a use.” There is also the question of definitions regarding manufacturing (heavy vs. light industrial) and the nature of “a 21st century version of manufacturing.” Catering, for instance, falls under heavy manufacturing. With regard to retail sales, Mr. Conner noted that some areas allow retail sales, some allow the use in 3,000 sq. ft. or less, and some allow retail sales “excluding general merchandise (C-1, C-2, 5 I-C, Swift Street District). The definition of “general merchandise,” however, says “See Retail Sales.” This would probably have very little weight. Mr. Conner suggested that members consider whether there is a planning goal here that is appropriate in some areas of the city and not in others, either as a type or a scale of use. Ms. Alenick (minute taker) said she recalled the discussion that took place in the creation of this regulation, that at the time the Commission was discussing people being able to pick up a quart of milk on their way home in some of these districts, but not to full their full shopping. Members determined that this item should be addressed and clarified in the near future and not necessarily wait until a full rezoning such as FBC extends to other parts of the City. 8. Other Business: a. Review upcoming meeting schedule: Members agreed not to meet during Thanksgiving week. The next Commission meeting will be on 9 December. 9. Minutes of 28 October 2014: Mr. Gagnon moved to approve the Minutes of 28 October 2014 as written. Ms. Quest seconded. Motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned by common consent at 9:15 p.m. ______________________________, Clerk