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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/29/2021SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 29 MARCH 2021 The South Burlington City Council held a special meeting on Monday, 29 March 2021, at 6:30 p.m., via Go to Meeting remote participation. MEMBERS PRESENT: H. Riehle, Chair; M. Emery, T. Barritt, T. Chittenden, M. Cota ALSO PRESENT: K. Dorn, City Manager; T. Hubbard, Deputy City Manager; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; I. Blanchard, Project Manager; J. Rabidoux, Public Works Director; C. Baker, D. Saladino, J. Charest, E. Churchill, CCRPC; D. Meyerhoff, D. Albrecht, D. Casullo, L. Kupferman, R. Greco , M. Mulligan, R. Groenewald, K. Sentoff, G. Cucheral, J. Woodard, S. Dooley, J. Baker, Wayne, Monica, C. Trombly 1. Additions, deletions or changes in the order of Agenda items: Ms. Riehle asked to add to Other Business a brief item about Green-Up Day. 2. Comments and Questions from the public not related to the Agenda: No issues were raised. 3. Consent Agenda: a. Approve and Sign Disbursements Mr. Barritt moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Mr. Cota seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Interview applicants for DRB: The Council interviewed Dan Albrecht and Gary Cucheral for the opening on the Development Review Board. 5. Council Work Session: Continued discussion with the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission regarding the Interstate-89 Corridor Study: Mr. Baker said that CCRPC has been collecting input from residents and committees following the joint meeting and presentation. Mr. Saladino then enumerated the new metrics that have been added to the matrixes based on that input as follows: SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 29 MARCH 2021 PAGE 2 1. Access to City Center 2. Access to the Airport 3. Impacts to Exit 12 traffic volumes 4. Volume changes on selected arterials 5. Change in impervious area 6. Noise impacts 7. New employment (weighted by average wage rates) There are also matrix formatting updates which include combining the values and scoring in the same table (Mr. Saladino showed what this looks like) and breaking out Exits 12B/13 and Exit 14 alternatives into separate tables. Mr. Saladino then showed a summary of the identified 27 metrics and indicated the newly added ones. He noted that some of these are difficult to score. Mr. Saladino then dealt first with Exists 12B/13 and showed how the new metrics affected the scoring criteria for each of the goals as follows: a. Safety: no changes b. Livable, sustainable communities: they looked at travel time added to get to City Center. 12/B had the greatest decrease in that time c. Mobility/efficiency: Exit 12B has the biggest impact on traffic at Exit 12. It also has the biggest positive impact on Williston Rd. traffic (15% decrease). Exit 13 options have the biggest positive impact on Dorset Street. Hinesburg Road showed a 40% increase in traffic south of 12B but a decrease north of 12B. Changes on other roadways were less than 10%. Ms. Emery asked whether they included Shelburne Road. Mr. Saladino said they did not. When they looked at the map, there was no significant change in traffic volume. Ms. Emery then asked about Kennedy Drive. Mr. Saladino said the change there was less than 10%. d. Environmental Stewardship: Mr. Saladino noted that 12B adds the most impervious. Regarding noise, they couldn’t do a full evaluation, but their in- house noise expert said both 12B and 13 have a relatively high noise impact. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 29 MARCH 2021 PAGE 3 Mr. Barritt asked why gas consumption goes up so much at 12B. Mr. Saladino said these are county-wide numbers. 12B will add 33,000 more gallons countywide than if it isn’t built. With Exit 13, there would be a mile savings per trip from Dorset Street to get onto the Interstate. Mr. Cota noted that the estimate is that only 10% of cars will be using internal combustion engines. Mr. Saladino confirmed that. Mr. Saladino then noted that the “expert panel” that met to estimate new growth attributable to building 12B (employment and new housing) noted that some housing would be relocating from elsewhere in the state; some would be totally new. e. Economic Accessibility: The study looked at new jobs created within a mile of the interchange and also the total number of jobs (those there today and the new jobs). It also looked at wages those jobs would generate per type of job (i.e., industrial, retail, service). At 12B, the estimate is for 300 new jobs with $175,000,000 in new wages. New jobs at Exit 13 would generate $123,000,000 in new wages. The study also looked at travel time to the Airport and found that 12B would reduce travel time by 11%. The reduction with Exit 13 would be marginal. f. System Preservation: There were no new metrics here. The hybrid is the lowest cost to build and the lowest overall cost. 12B is the most expensive overall. These are based on present-day costs. Mr. Baker then showed a summary of scores for 12B and 13. He questioned whether the goals should be treated equally. Ms. Riehle said a number of groups felt safety should be weighted more heavily. Mr. Baker noted the SPDI alternative scored the highest with the existing weighting and would score higher if safety were rated more heavily. Mr. Barritt asked if there is any weighting regarding “intangibles” (e.g., difficulty in engineering, reshaping the flow of traffic, etc.). Mr. Saladino said that is factored into the cost. Mr. Riehle noted that the 12B off-ramp would run into Tilley Drive where there are medical offices, many of which cater to the elderly. From a safety point of view, this could mean much more traffic for those folks to cope with. Mr. Saladino said they didn’t go to that level of analysis. They also felt the new connector road to Technology Park would be built before 12B SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 29 MARCH 2021 PAGE 4 which could address some of that issue. But he acknowledged Ms. Riehle had a valid concern. He did note that the design does factor in much improved facilities for bikes and pedestrians. Ms. Emery asked if the new housing at 12B is due to the new jobs. Mr. Baker said the panel felt it would be an attractive place for house and jobs. Mr. Saladino added there could be a strong desire to live closer to those jobs. Mr. Baker said housing growth is split into 2 parts, those that would not be built elsewhere in the country (estimated 155 homes) and those coming in from out of the country (estimated 186 homes). He noted that both figures are very small compared to forecasted growth in the rest of the county. Sen. Chittenden noted that the jobs that are created could be higher paying because of the proximity to the industrial park. Ms. Emery said the style of development and redevelopment should respect the natural and human environment. Sen. Chittenden said that “weighting” is where the magic is happening, and they need to decide what is most important. Mr. Barritt asked whether the study looked at the solar facility which may be land available for development in 25 years. Mr. Saladino said the demographic forecasts are not done site by site. He added that he has less than 100% confidence that the numbers are right. Over 30 years, figures do not include the full buildout of every parcel. He noted the growth rate in Chittenden County has decreased and does not equal the numbers that had been forecast. Mr. Saladino then reviewed the scoring changes for Exit 14 as follows: a. Safety – no changes b. Livable/Sustainable: 2/10 of a minute change in accessibility to City Center c. Mobility/Efficiency: Minor changes to Williston Rd. traffic volumes; DD1 slightly better traffic volumes on Dorset Street; some increase in traffic on the Limekiln and bridge over the Winooski River in Winooski. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 29 MARCH 2021 PAGE 5 Mr. Saladino said people would not be going to Exit 14 because of reduced capacity. Ms. Emery asked if they want more traffic there. Mr. Saladino said he would say no. d. Environmental Stewardship: a big swing in imperious with the cloverleaf (one new lane in each direction), less impervious with DD1 e. Economic Accessibility: not a lot of change for either option; DD1 slightly better for Airport access f. System Preservation: DD1 the most expensive ultimately when asset management costs are figured in Sen. Chittenden asked whether this is an either/or a timing priority. Could one happen after the other? Mr. Baker said he felt it was an either/or. Phasing can be discussed later. Ms. Riehle asked whether Chittenden County gets both 14 and 12B or 13. Mr. Saladino said that in the next phase they will look at them in combination and other things in the mix (e.g. Park & Rides). He explained the bundling aspect: what does it look like with one option, then adding the next option, etc. Mr. Baker said they need to know any issues not covered presently and would like a vote on what option to move forward with. They are looking for a decision by 19 April. He noted the final decision will rest with VTrans. 6. Council Discussion and possible recommendation on requests for Community Projects for Federal Funding: Mr. Dorn reviewed the history noting that each member of the House of Representatives can present up to 10 projects for funding. He noted that the city analyzed a dozen potential projects and settled on a bike-ped connection from City Center to the park. It is within the appropriate price range ($700,000) and can be constructed in the next fiscal year. It would also be a valuable contribution to the city and state. Other reviewed options included: a recreation center, bridge across the Interstate, Kimball Drive culvert, pump station upgrades for the Bartlett Bay Treatment center, Williston Rd. streetscape, a 24/7 crisis center. Mr. Dorn noted that Congressman Welch is very impressed with City Center. Mr. Cota asked for a more complete description of the project. Mr. Dorn said the city envisions a connection between the park and market Street, but there is a wetland which will require a bridge. This is already mapped out in the environment assessment which indicates that SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 29 MARCH 2021 PAGE 6 connection will be made. Ms. Riehle added this piece was discussed when City Center was being considered. It’s an area that can’t be developed but can be enjoyed. It’s also a straight shot for some kids to get to Central School. Mr. Conner showed a graphic of the area, and Mr. Dorn identified the location of City Center Park. He said it would be a small connection to a bridge and eventually to Market St. Ms. Riehle asked whether TIF funds could be used for this project. Mr. Dorn said they can as can impact fees and a potential developer contribution. The city would ask for $700,000 in the grant. Mr. Dorn stressed this grant is totally separate from the COVID grant presented by Congressman Welch a week ago. The city is still waiting for guidelines on how that money can be spend. Ms. Riehle said that would be a good conversation to bring Jessie Baker in on. Ms. Emery then moved to support the recommendation for Community Projects for Federal Funding as presented. Sen. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously via a rollcall vote. 7. Council discussion on goals for Interim Zoning, and establishing potential time line: Ms. Riehle noted the Council will be meeting with the Planning Commission on 6 April. The first thing the Commission will complete are the environmental protection standards. The question is whether the Council is comfortable approving those before the new PUD standards or whether they would want to see everything in final form before approving anything. Ms. Emery said she is eager to see it done but understands there are people representing different interests. She is also hearing of the need to “put a pin” in something in order to move on. Sen. Chittenden asked whether there is a risk to approving the environmental standards and ending Interim Zoning and then doing the PUDs. Ms. Riehle said she has heard there are 2 groups with differing focus: environment and development via PUDs. She was concerned the Council wouldn’t get the PUDs if both pieces aren’t done together. Mr. Barritt noted that IZ will have to end in November and questioned whether it matters if they wait till November and see what comes from the Planning Commission. Ms. Riehle felt SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 29 MARCH 2021 PAGE 7 that at the joint meeting the Commission will say whether they can have the whole package by November. Mr. Cota said he was OK with extending IZ to get a full package. 8. Other Business: Regarding Green Up Day, Ms. Riehle said the Rotary will work with the Land Trust. Mr. Conner said there will be dump trucks and a method for people to pick up bags ahead of time. A DPW person will be available to help load stuff onto trucks. Ms. Emery noted that the Army and Air Guard held a virtual Town Meeting on Saturday regarding some noise testing this winter. There will be documentary on 15 April, 7 p.m. which includes phone calls from neighbors describing their experiences with F35 noise. Ms. Greco noted the documentary doesn’t take a position; it’s just people commenting on their experiences, some positive, some negative. Mr. Dorn suggested posting viewing information on the city’s website. 9. Executive Session to discuss appointments to the Development Review Board: Mr. Barritt moved that the Council meeting in executive session to discuss appointment to the Development Review Board and inviting Mr. Dorn to attend the session. Sen. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Council entered Executive Session at 9:11 p.m. and resumed regular session at 9:37 p.m. Mr. Cota moved to appoint Dan Albrecht to the unfilled term on the Development Review Board. Sen. Chittenden seconded. The motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the Council Mr. Barritt moved to adjourn. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. _________________________________ Clerk