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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Planning Commission - 01/28/2014SOUTH BURLINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 28 JANUARY 2014 The South Burlington Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 28 January 2014, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: J. Loisos, Chair; T. Riehle, G. Calcagni, T. Harrington, B. Gagnon, S. Quest, B. Benton Also Present: P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; L. Ravin, Dean T. Vogelmann, J. Davis, UVM; S. Dopp, R. Greco, M. Simoneau, T. McKenzie, R. Maynes 1. Agenda Review: No changes were made to the Agenda. 2. Open to the Public for Items not related to the Agenda: No issues were raised. 3. Planning Commission Announcements & Staff Report: Mr. Riehle: Was part of a sub-committee for the Open Space Committee which toured the community trying to identify visual corridors. There will be a report by Larry Michaels soon. Was concerned that his comments regarding transportation/buses may have been misinterpreted. He was trying to get more people to ride the buses. Ms. Quest: Will provide a report on last night Sustainable Agriculture Committee meeting. Ms. Harrington: The TDR committee is reviewing pinpointed topics and will come back with something soon. 4. Update on University of Vermont Miller Farm Draft Master Plan: Mr. Conner reminded members that 3 years ago UVM was invited in to talk to the Commission about their agriculture plans. Staff continues to meet with UVM people and had a presentation on the future of the Miller Farm and part of the Hort Farm. Staff felt this was a good time for that presentation to be made to the Planning Commission. Ms. Ravin said UVM wants to strengthen the agricultural and educational uses of the two farms in South Burlington. The Miller Farm is predominantly for horses, cows and other animals, and there has been an update on the Master Plan for that farm. Dean Vogelmannn of the College of Agriculture, said there have been many changes since the last time they were at the Planning Commission. They have created new models on how a land grant operates. He noted that very few colleges have a farm so close to the campus, and this presents a wonderful opportunity for education. The College has been doing a lot of visioning. The “bad news” is that if they want to change everything, they are looking at a $30,000,000 price ticket. The “good news” is they don’t have to do it all at once. Dean Vogelmann then showed a concept of what the Farm might look like 30 years down the road. In the short term, they want to do some renovations which will entail deconstructing some of the barns. The aim is to create a better education program for students working with large animals in a pre-vet program. They also envision a research barn. Dean Vogelmann showed a picture of the solar panels on the horse barn. The panels can power several homes, and the goal is to make the entire site energy neutral. There was also a picture of the goats that now “mow down” the invasive species. Mr. Gagnon asked if there is any thought to including research on anaerobic digesters. Dean Vogelmann said they have a person on staff who is a specialist in that area. The goal is to make smaller digesters to use at this facility. Mr. Gagnon asked about stormwater and agricultural runoff. Dean Vogelmann said the have a collaboration with the Rubenstein regarding runoff. They would like to have certain plants that will “mine things out of the soil” (e.g., phosphorus). He felt there is a lot of opportunity for creative things to be done. Mr. Riehle asked if there are any plans for development of the land north and south of the farms or whether they will stay in agriculture. Dean Vogelmann replied that right now they are being told they can use the lands for agriculture. He did not know about 20 years down the road. Mr. Riehle then asked whether any thought has been given to opportunities to students as rebuilding occurs (e.g., electrical work). Dean Vogelmann said they have hired engineering students to work on “energy neutrality.”  They will also need to interface with social scientists regarding what the public is thinking. 5. Review Planning Commission Proposed Projects for 2014: Mr. Conner reviewed current and planned projects that involve Planning Commission input and action as follows: a. Complete review of draft City Center/Form Based Codes b. Complete stormwater/low impact development regulations update c. Complete Comprehensive Plan update d. Provide direction to the city-wide regulation updates, including: 1. Affordable housing 2. TDRs 3. Future land use 4. Style of writing report e. Revise draft city-wide regulations f. Initiate Chamberlin/Airport neighborhood plan g. Initiate Traffic Overlay District overhaul Mr. Conner then reviewed a list of additional projects underway that may include Planning Commission involvement in 2014, including: a. Complete Official City Map b. Review Williston Road Transportation-land use analysis c. Review Impact fee Ordinance update d. Review Wastewater-Stormwater Ordinance update e. Review Dumont Park project Purpose and Need Statement f. Review Garden Street project Purpose and Need Statement Members asked for clarification on the Official Map and what the “may” meant. Mr. Conner confirmed that the Official Map is the responsibility of the Planning Commission; the may was looking at overall timing. 5. Planning Commission Work Session on Draft City Center Form Based Codes: Mr. Conner briefly reviewed and confirmed the decisions made by the Commission at Saturday’s meeting and those of the previous work sessions, including single/two story buildings, glazing, window height/width, civic buildings, frontage requirements, electric changing stations, solar readiness, the review process, garages, basic heights, etc. Mr. Simoneau noted that San Remo Drive has its own “DNA.” He asked whether it has a separate designation, whether it will be customized, or whether it will be given a separate consideration. He also wanted to know if the committee is safe with the language that deals with non- conformities so what is being considered is not an encumbrance to the area. Mr. Conner directed attention to comments from University Mall. They have very long-term leases with some tenants that guarantee nothing more than a one-story structure can be in front of them. Mr. Conner noted that there still has to be discussion on open space and the T3 area, where no decisions have been made. He also noted that Paul Dreher has been asked to prepare standards for upper stories of buildings. Ms. Quest reminded staff of the Commission’s desire for input on economics, including the TIF and how it works. Mr. Conner then reviewed his research on “shoulds” vs. “shalls.” He noted that “should” shows up in a lot of purpose statements, which are not regulatory, and he recommended leaving them there. Access between parking lots across property lines is “encouraged.” He suggested the Commission may want to look at that and make it more of a requirement. Mr. Simoneau felt there are times when it doesn’t make sense. Under accessory structures, Mr. Conner noted that “may” just gives options. They could say “shall not disrupt parking for neighboring residents.” They could also add “shall” regarding home occupations. Mr. Conner suggested dealing with language regarding non-conformities at a later date. Language regarding Marcotte School says, “…should be consisting with South Burlington School District policy.” Mr. Gagnon noted that if it was decided to move the school, the standards would not be applicable and there would have to be new standards. Mr. Conner noted that since this is a commercial district, schools are allowed. The thought is, however, to make it a municipal district as the other school districts are. There has been no input from the School Board on this as yet. Under the definition of a “unit,” language reads that micro‐units are allowed and encouraged. The suggestion of staff is the strike that for now. Regarding LEED certification, LEED silver is encouraged for new construction. To the extent possible, all structures are encouraged to be solar ready. Mr. Conner noted that there are new state requirements. Ms. Quest suggested hearing what the new requirements are. Mr. Conner said the city can’t issue a c/o until the applicant proves they have handed in documents to the state. Mr. Gagnon added that there are also Act 250 requirements regarding energy efficiency. He also felt it would be better to say “LEED standard equivalent” instead of certified because of the expense of becoming certified. Mr. Riehle added that it should say “buildings” instead of “structures” because fences are considered a structure. Mr. Gagnon said they should also use “encouraged” because of the possible economics involved. Following the discussion, members felt they need another “extra” meeting, possibly on a weekday evening. Members will indicate when they are available. 6. Other Business: Ms. Quest noted the Sustainable Agriculture subcommittee would like to reconstitute its committee. As there was no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 9:17 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works. 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: Anticipated Planning Commission projects for 2014 DATE: January 28, 2014 Planning Commission Below is a tentative list of projects that have been identified for 2014: • Complete Review of Draft City Center Form Based Code • Complete Stormwater / Low Impact Development Regulations update • Complete Comprehensive Plan update • Provide direction on City-wide regulation updates, including: o Affordable Housing o Transferable Development Rights o Future Use of Land o Style of writing of regulations • Review of draft City-wide Regulations • Initiate Chamberlin-Airport neighborhood plan • Initiate Traffic Overlay District overhaul / update Additional projects underway that may include Planning Commission role in 2014: • Complete Official Map • Review Williston Road Transportation – Land Use Analysis • Review Impact Fee Ordinance Update • Review Wastewater – Stormwater Ordinance Update • Review Dumont Park project Purpose and Need statement • Review Garden Street project Purpose and Need Statement