HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee - 11/12/2014BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN COMMITTEE
MINUTES 11-12-2014
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee held its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, November 12,
2014 at 5:30 pm in the small conference room at the city office building.
Members Present: Matthew Boulanger, Chair; Dana Farr, Vice-Chair; Cathy Frank, Clerk; Donna Leban,
Roy Neuer
Members Absent: None
City Representative: Todd Goodwin, Director of Recreation & Parks
Also Present: none
Meeting began at 5:35 pm.
1. Changes or additions to the agenda –
a. Dumont Park Discussion -Donna
b. Discussion of Awasiwi Hiking Trail (between Hinesburg Road and the Middle School/High
School complex) be re-designated as a “mixed use” Path - Roy
2. Comments from the public not related to the agenda - none
3. Accept & approve Minutes of October 8, 2014 meeting
Roy: Moved to approve the minutes as amended
Dana: Second
Vote: Unanimous
4. Changes in staffing – Todd reported that Betsy Terry the new interim director of Recreation and Parks
will staff our committee starting in December. Todd’s last day in South Burlington is Nov 21.
5. Underwood Property – Cathy reported that 1st meeting of the Underwood Property Task Force will be
held this coming Monday 11/17/14 at 11:30. It will start with a tour of the property and then be
followed by a meeting at City Hall to review the charge of the Task Force.
6. Trail Easements Update – Long Property. At our last meeting Lou Bresse reported that he had had a
conversation with the developer of South Village and that she would be willing to change the location
of the bike path that she is required to build as a part of South Village’s Phase 2. The current plan is to
set the path back near the houses, back from the road to the east of Spear Street. Lou’s suggestion to
which the committee agreed, was that the Rec path would get more use if it were placed closer to
Spear Street. Cathy agreed to talk to Carolyn Long whose property abuts South Village to the north as
to whether she would consider an easement for the Rec Path through her property. Cathy reported
that Mrs. Long is willing to consider an easement and will bring her children into the conversation
over the Thanksgiving holiday. Cathy will follow up.
If the Rec Path could get across the Long property it could then use the roads in South Pointe just to
the north of the Long Property to access the Underwood property, now owned by the city, which
eventually will become a City Park and Natural Area. From the Underwood Land the path could then
connect to the Rec Path on Nowland Farm Rd connecting two neighborhoods, South Village and South
Pointe who now depend on Spear Street for pedestrian and bike travel to connect to the city’s
recreation path.
The final DRB Hearing for Phase 2 of South Village is Dec. 2. Before then Cathy will talk to Lou and
confirm that the developer is still interested in relocating the Recreation Path. If so Cathy and Donna
will attend the DRB meeting on Dec. 2 At the same time Matt with share this potential change with
Ray Belair and Paul Connor prior to the DRB meeting.
7. Development Review Items - Willow Brook is a proposed small development on the west side of
Dorset Street, just north of where the Rec Path on the east side of Dorset Street turns east into Cider
Mill. It will have a preliminary DRB review Dec. 2. The current plans make no provision for Willow
Brook to connect to the Rec Path or other nearby neighborhoods. Matt will write the DRB urging them
to ask the applicant to show how the proposed project will connect to the existing and potential Rec
Path on the east side of Dorset St., as well as potential connection to the Dorset Farms neighborhood.
8. General matters
a. Dumont Park Discussion – Donna attended the meeting on proposed ideas for Dumont Park
and reported on suggestions that there be distinct paths for walkers and bikers, keeping
much of the existing vegetation, and including some garden areas. Ideas were also discussed
to address security issues, since this park is directly adjacent to the new Center City
development. . There is a right of way from Barrett St, which also can help link Market Street
to San Remo Dr and Dorset St.
b. Discussion of Roy’s proposal that the Awasiwi Hiking Trail (between Hinesburg Road and
the Middle School/High School complex) be re-designated as a “mixed use” Path.
Roy suggested that upgrading this City designated walking trail would encourage youngsters
to ride to and from school. Presently very few people walk this trail and some cyclists enter or
exit the trail at the sewage pumping station on Hinesburg Road or at the end of Deane Street.
People walking to the school complex usually use a parallel undesignated path through the
woods from the end of Deane Street. Sections of both of these paths are occasionally used for
cross country races or for training by students.
If higher density usage occurs in the future the Awasiwi Trail could easily be widened and the
unpaved surface upgraded with crushed stone.
It was agreed that next steps would include talking to the school authorities to see how they
feel about this proposal and checking with the city to see who has the authority to make such
a change. Matt will look into this.
9. The entire Committee extended an enthusiastic thank you to Todd Goodwin, our staff member
extraordinaire for his service to our committee. We will miss him and wish him the very best in his
new job building Williston’s Park & Recreation Department.
10. Next Meeting: 12/10/14
11. Adjourn
Dana: Motion to Adjourn
Roy: Second
Vote: Unanimous
Meeting ended at 7:34 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Frank, Clerk