HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Natural Resources & Conservation Committee - 10/06/2021
South Burlington Natural Resources & Conservation Committee
575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4106
www.sburl.com
Natural Resources & Conservation Committee Meeting
Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 6:00 PM
City Hall, 180 Market Street, Room 301 or Online
Interactive Online Meeting (audio & video): https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/659065437
By telephone (audio only): 1-872-240-3412; Access Code: 659-068-437
In all cases, you will have the opportunity to both listen AND speak. Please note that the video option may not work as
the technology in the new building is not working consistently in all rooms.
AGENDA
1. Welcome & Review of Emergency Evacuation Protocol (6:00)
2. Additions, Deletions or Changes in order of Agenda Items (6:05)
3. Comments from the Public not related to the agenda (6:10)
4. Adoption of minutes (6:15)
5. City Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan: Review & Discussion (6:20)
6. Review Planning & Zoning Memo re: O’Brien Development Project (6:40)
7. Review & Discuss Environment Protection Standard & Conservation PUD Draft (7:00)
8. Review Draft Open Space Project fund CIP (7:20)
• Take action to consider support of the draft CIP
9. Committee Work Plan & Annual Report Update (7:35)
10. Members & Staff Reports (7:45)
a. Chair- none
b. Staff Report
c. Work Group/Member Reports
11. Discuss Future Agenda Items (7:55)
12. Confirm Next Mtg Date: Currently Scheduled for 11/03/2021, 6 PM (1st Wed. of month)
13. Adjourn (8:00 pm)
NATURAL RESOURCES & CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
Meeting Minutes for Wednesday 09/01/2021 at 6:00 pm
Attending: Ashley Parker, Larry Kupferman (Co-Chr), Jean Sebastien-Chaulot (Chr), Katherine Boyk, Bill
Wargo, Lisa Yankowski, Drew Shatzer (remoted in)
Missing: Jon Bossange & David Crawford
Public attendees: Paul Conner (City of SB), Michael Mittag, Sarah Dopp & Barb Sirvis
1) Ashley reviewed emergency protocol. This meeting is hybrid- in person & remote.
2) Moved the updates for the 4 For Four & CVCP to after the LDR discussion.
3) No comments from the public.
4) Minutes from 08/04/21- Larry moved to accept, Jean 2nd. Approved with a correction to Katherine’s
last name.
5) Hybrid meeting options & processes in the new city hall for future NRCC Meetings- Jean wondered
what happens if the weather is bad? What if the building is not accessible?
a. Past meetings have been cancelled when the weather made travel dangerous. Sarah D
questioned if meetings are required by state law to have a physical location. The pandemic created
a state of emergency so committees were allowed to meet virtually instead of in person. These
meetings need to be set up ahead to allow access to all. There needs to be a city rep on site at a
meeting. What if that person is in quarantine?
b. Ashley says these are questions that have been brought up already with city leadership and
if meetings can be conducted as hybrid- live, on site participation with others attending virtually. We
are waiting to find out the answers
6) Paul Conner joined us and wanted to let us know the Planning Commission is busy revamping the
Environmental Protections Standards & Conservation PUDs (Planned Unit Development). The
sensitive areas were identified by the Interim Zoning Open Space Group. The purposed
environmental protection standards are to help protect these areas. Public comments came during
May with some being incorporated into the new proposals. The commission wants to have all the
changes ready for consideration by the city council and in place before IZ is done in November
2021.)
a. Larry asked how closely marked habitat blocks align with the ones identified by the
group. The IZ group used various tools, maps & existing information to identify the
areas. Arrowhead was hired to reevaluate the identified areas for contiguous forest
blocks and what wildlife was using. The draft we are looking at for consideration reflects
any incorporated public comments and the Arrowhead update. (Reference the
document includes with the meeting information.) Just because a property is treed
does not mean it is a habitat block.
b. Larry & Jean each asked more specific questions about developing in identified habitat
blocks. For properties that may have a large portion considered a habitat block- the new
rules allow development on up to 30% of the parcel. The 30% cannot be transferred
beyond the property. The exception is if in the SE Quadrant, if the parcel is mostly a
habitat and an NRPD (Natural Resource Protection District) zone, no building, even with
the 30% rule. The NRP protects the conserved area. There is considerable overlapping of
habitat blocks and connectors to the blocks. These are evident when looking at specific
city maps. PUDs are designed to help set rules for developing around the city and to
help protect habitat blocks. PUDs are still being worked on.
c. Katherine was curious what percentage of habitat blocks are publicly owned vs privately
owned. And what is conserved already. Paul mentioned the interactive maps on the
South Burlington City site people can look at the known/collected information.
d. Michael Mittag wanted to add that the group looked at the 5oo yr flood zone to protect
vs the general 100 yr flood zone. The area where a consensus could not be reached,
resources in primary and secondary areas. These are not protected-agricultural soils,
grasslands and farmland. Another area of contention was area outside the habitat
boundary but still considered important to the block.
7) 4 for Four update by Sarah D & Champlain Valley Conservation Partnership (CVCP) by Ashley P.
a. The Land Trust was hoping to have a stand-alone vote before the end of IZ. Their goal
was to highlight the need for protection of identified open space parcels and have the
ability to ”front load” funds for saving these parcels from development. The City Council
decides what goes before the voters. Consensus was- NO, to an October special vote.
The Land Trust is looking at March 2022. The City council wants to look at other funding
options and what the results would be. There may be better options for building the
fund.
b. Ashley would like to have the NRCC discuss how we can help to promote the CVCP and
what they have been working on. How do they reach out to landowners in the 5
districts and promote the vision of the partnership to identify and conserve natural
areas.
8) NRCC Annual Report & CIP request
a. The annual reports and work plans for the city committees and departments will be due
soon for presentation to the City Council. The NRCC needs to work on this.
b. Capital Improvements Project (CIP)
i. Ashley wants the NRCC to look at the possibility of allocating funds from the
Open Space Fund to use towards funding other work that needs to be done
around the city. (The Open Space Fund was designated for repair work in Red
Rocks & Wheeler Parks and to develop and begin to implement that plan at
Underwood.)
9) New city –wide Policy Priorities 7 strategies Process Planning
i. Our new City Manager Jessie Baker, would like to see the city and committees
work together to develop clear and intentional decisions about the policy
priorities of the City and the implementation of the strategies to be used to
achieve the vision. She sees a goal to build upon past models and plans to
produce a city-wide work for the Council staff and commissions. (Refer to the
letter and work sheet showing more details on how this plan can be developed.)
ii. We, the NRCC, need to identify ideas we want to put forward for Jessie’s plan.
This will become our work plan. Jean feels we need a work group to do this. The
new group will be Jean, Katherine, Larry & Lisa.
10) Conservation Project Opportunities at the Good rich Parcel
a. Champlain Valley Conservation Partnership (CVCP) is looking at work being done at the
Goodrich Parcel in South Burlington. Tom DiPietro, (SB Publicworks/Stormwater
Superintendent) believes this parcel may be appropriate for wetland restoration. The
Audubon Society would like to oversee habitat management for rare birds and removal
of invasive species. The Winooski Park District would like to see a connection between
paths on the parcel with the park district’s paths on the Muddy Brook Wetland Reserve.
(Reference the information in our packet.) There are various grants and sources for
funding for the projects and possibly for future maintenance. But the city needs to
contribute as well. Per the CVCP: The SB NRCC Committee is being asked to consider
providing a memo to the City Council that supports this restoration initiative at the
Good rich Parcel, including the use of City Open Space Project funds to make it happen.
b. Larry moved to support, Katherine 2nd - unanimously approved.
11) Bill W will be the NRCC member on the City Council Task Force.
a. Lisa nominated him, Larry 2nd- approved.
12) Members & Staff Reports
a. No report from the chair.
b. See the information included in our meeting information from Ashley.
c. Lisa reported on activity with the Dog Park Group.
i. The site was picked, design settled on, the land was okayed to be used on an
environmental level. It just needed final approval with the DRB. Justin
Rabideau (DPW) was to have his crew build the park but has now come up with
his own plan which is missing important elements the group wanted included in
the design. Justin was to go to the DRB the week of 09/06. The Dog Park Group
cancelled it until new decisions can be made.
Future agenda items:
Marla wants us to review a project next month. Ashley will forward the information when it is ready.
Work group will work on our work plan
Ashley may have an early draft of the CIP she will forward to us.
NEXT MEETING Wednesday 10/06 at 6pm
Larry moved to adjourn, Katherine 2nd adjourned at 8:04pm
EVENTS
09/18 8am-12pm Migratory Birds & Their Habitat, Nordic Farm in Charlotte, see birds up close and
tour a newly restored habitat.
09/18 Land owner Workshop, free event with the Land Trust & Audubon VT
-to educate land owners interested in possible protection/conservation management and how
to go about it.
09/23 A Look at the Conceptual Vision for Underwood- the possibilities. City Hall Auditorium and
available to attend virtually.
09/25 9amClimate Change Impacts in Field & Forest Hubbard Recreation & Natural Area
(Underwood) Lead by Dr Annise Dobson, postdoctoral researcher, Yale School of Environment
MEMO
To: Jessie Baker, City Manager
From: Justin Rabidoux, Director of Public Works
Date: August 26, 2021
Re: South Burlington Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan
SUMMARY
Emerald ash borer (EAB), is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan in
2002. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae feed on the inner
bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. EAB probably
arrived in the US on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in
its native Asia. As of 2018, it is found in 32 states, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario,
Quebec, and Manitoba. Since its discovery, EAB has:
1. Killed hundreds of millions of ash trees in North America.
2. Caused regulatory agencies and the USDA to enforce quarantines and fines to prevent
potentially infested ash trees, logs or hardwood firewood from moving out of areas where
EAB occurs.
3. Cost municipalities, property owners, nursery operators and forest products industries
hundreds of millions of dollars.
4. Once infested, ash trees rapidly decline and are killed in 3-5 years.
BACKGROUND
In May 2018, EAB was on the verge of entering Chittenden County prompting Public Works staff
to give City Council a presentation on EAB (see attached). Later that year during the FY’20
budget process an Emerald Ash Borer project was added to the CIP (see attached CIP project
sheet) showing $1.2M in expenses spread across seven years. The project was described as:
DESCRIPTION: The City owns 770 ash trees and with the coming spread of EAB
disease, we need to 1) remove the trees before they become infected and 2) replant the
following year with a TBD species.
JUSTIFICATION: To avoid the loss of 770 city street trees to disease, we are proactively
removing them and then replanting.
The project was also included in the FY’21 and FY’22 budgets and has about five years left. At
the beginning of this project the City owned 775 ash street trees, primarily located in the
following neighborhoods:
1. Village at Dorset Park
2. Dorset Farms
3. Nowland Farm and a few streets
east and west of the golf course
4. Deerfield
To date we have removed 141 ash trees, replanted 65, and we have 64 under contract to be
planted this fall/next spring. We still have 634 remaining ash street trees in the city.
Public Works staff has removed a few dozen of the trees and the rest have been contracted out.
Our average price per tree for removal, stump grinding and tree replanting is $900. Our initial
CIP estimate was $1,500/tree, so we are hopeful we will spend significantly less than the $1.2M
overall budgeted.
When planting new trees to replace a removed ash, the City has been selecting trees from a list,
which continues to evolve annually based on availability, pricing and our goal of establishing a
diverse inventory of new street trees.
1. River Birch
2. Baumanii Horsechestnut (fruitless)
3. Ginkgo ‘Presidential Gold’, ‘Halka’,
‘Magyar’
4. Honeylocust
5. Amur maackia (small tree 25 ft)
6. London Planetree ‘Exclamation’,
‘Bloodgood’
7. Swamp White Oak
8. Red Oak
9. Kentucky Coffee Tree
‘Espresso’(seedless)
10. Accolade Elm
11. Regal Elm
12. Shingle Oak
13. Freeman Maple ‘Sienna Glenn’ or
‘Celebration’
There are other management options for dealing with EAB, including treating the trees with an
insecticide instead of removing them. From the City of Montpelier’s EAB Management Plan
(attached):
Treatment of the ash trees does not guarantee long-term survival of those trees because
once treatment starts it cannot end without the tree succumbing to EAB. At a minimum,
treatment provides time for the City and homeowners to plant replacement trees and for
those trees to develop and contribute to the cityscape.
Insecticide treatment would need to continue annually or biennially for the remainder of a tree’s
life. The treatment cost for this insecticide is $12/inch of tree diameter. For our remaining 634 ash
trees that have an average diameter of 12”, our annual cost, assuming we could treat them
biennially, for the treatment is in the $50,000 range (634/2 * $12/inch of diameter * 12”
diameter).
Based on the above, staff’s initial recommendation and eventual CIP project was to proactively
remove our street ash trees as soon as possible along with interplanting new trees.
An additional consideration is the ~600 acres of forested and conserved land the City owns that
undoubtably contains hundreds of ashes. We have no intention of doing any removal of ashes in
these areas. The City welcomes any group into these areas with the goals of improving public
access to the land and its forests, increasing educational opportunities or any other purpose.
RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the City Council allow Public Works to continue the
EAB capital project as originally approved, specifically to proactively remove our street ash trees
and replace them with new trees.
List of attachments
1. May 2018 EAB Presentation to City Council
2. FY’20 EAB CIP page
3. City of Montpelier EAB Management Plan (with pertinent sections highlighted)
575 Dorset Street South Burlington, VT 05403 tel 802.846.4106 fax 802.846.4101 www.sburl.com
TO: Natural Resource Conservation Committee
FROM: Marla Keene, Development Review Planner
SUBJECT: O’Brien Brothers Project Status
DATE: September 29, 2021
The Natural Resource Conservation Committee has requested a summary of the status of the O’Brien projects
for their October 2021 meeting.
The O’Brien Projects can generally be broken into two categories: Hillside, the boundary of which was defined
in MP-17-01 and later slightly modified in MP-20-01, and Eastview, the boundary of which was defined in SD-
20-40.
Hillside
SD-17-17 provided final plat approval for the construction of single and two family homes within the Hillside
project area. SD-20-16 provided preliminary plat approval for construction of an additional 390 homes in six
multi-family buildings. That approval for the multi-family buildings left open the exact roadway cross section
and architectural design of the buildings, though the overall configuration and other project elements is
approved. O’Brien Brothers later requested, and the Board granted, approval to allow the final plat approval
for the six multi-family buildings to proceed individually rather than being reviewed all at once (SD-20-26). At
this time, there are no pending applications for Hillside, though the applicant indicated to Staff that it is their
intention to submit a final plat application for Lots 10 and 11 within a matter of days.
Eastview
SD-20-40 provided preliminary approval for development within the Eastview project area consisting of 146
homes, 19 lots for multifamily, commercial or industrial use, and 26.2 acres of undeveloped land. The
undeveloped land consists of 5.9 acres of wetlands and buffers and 1.8 acres dedicated for stormwater
management, leaving 18.4 acres of open spaces available for the enjoyment of residents. Some of this 18.4
acres is contained in the perimeter of stormwater management features and in the densely wooded area at the
far eastern edge of the property, in the I/C zone. The applicant’s “open space plan” is attached and depicts the
location and nature of proposed open spaces. In reviewing the project, the Board and the Applicant both made
reference to the written and verbal testimony of the NRCC, including the objectives of wildlife connectivity and
tree cover. Specific conditions pertaining to NRCC feedback include the requirement to prepare the
landscaping plan to include the recommendations of the NRCC and for the design of the walking path on Lot 45
to be sensitive to the preservation of wildlife connectivity. It is Staff’s expectation that this testimony will be
used by the applicant in developing their plans for the 26.2 acres of undeveloped land. The applicant has
twelve (12) months from the 8/31/2021 issuance of SD-20-40 to submit their final plat application.
\\city-adserver\apps\USERS\Planning & Zoning\Development Review Board\Applications\2020\SD-20-40_500 Old
Farm_OBrien Eastview_PP_2021-02-17\NOLF-Research\Memo to NRCC OBrien Overall Status 2021-09-29.docx
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HILLSIDE @
O'BRIEN FARM
OWNER AND APPLICANT:
ISSUED FOR PERMIT REVIEW
NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION
PROPERTY INFORMATION:
C-23
OPEN SPACE &
RESIDENT
AMENITIES PLAN
Old Farm Road and Kennedy Drive,
South Burlington, Vermont
O'BRIEN BROTHERS
1855 WILLISTON ROAD
SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT 05403
164 Main Street, Suite 201 P: (802) 878-0375
Colchester, Vermont 05446
email@krebsandlansing.com
EASTVIEW
O'Brien Far
m RoadTwo Brothers DriveMeadow LoopLegacy Farm AvenueI/C RoadSUMMARY OF OPEN SPACE
OPEN SPACE LEGEND
EASTVIEW OPEN SPACE
HILLSIDE PHASE 1 OPEN SPACE
Lot 3
2.0 ac
Lot 47
Open Space
12.64 ac
Lot 48
Open Space
4.56 ac
Lot 18
1.17 ac
Lot 19
1.51 ac
Lot 6
3.04 ac
Lot 4
1.06 ac
Business Park
North Lot 4
2.4 ac
Lot 32
2.92 ac
GENERAL FUND
OPEN SPACE PROJECTS OVERVIEW BY EXPENDITURE
OPEN SPACE CIP PROJECTS OVERVIEW:Total Estimated Revenues:
Total Estimated Savings:
Department Contact:Ashley Parker
Changes from FY 2019-2028 CIP:
SUMMARY CIP EXPENDITURES (in $1,000)FY 23 FY 24 FY 25 FY 26 FY 27 FY 28 FY 29 FY 30 FY 31 FY 32 Total:
Open Space Debt Payment 125 125 125 125 125 - - - - - 626
Hubbard Recreation & Natural Area (formally Underwood)195 150 - - - - - - - - 345
Red Rocks Improvements 160 40 - - - - - - - - 200
Wheeler Homestead & Nature Park Upgrades 200 50 - - - - - - - - 250
TOTAL ESTIMATED CIP EXPENDITURES:680 365 125 125 125 - - - - - 1,421
0
The Recreation & Parks Department is responsible for planning for future active and passive recreational needs for the community, including
the purchase and development of additional land for parks, as well as maintaining, expanding and improving facilities and equipment.
0
GENERAL FUND - OPEN SPACE
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM EXPENDITURE
PROJECT:Open Space Debt Payment
0
DEPARTMENT/STAFF CONTACT:
FINANCIALS (in $1,000)FY 23 FY 24 FY 25 FY 26 FY 27 FY 28 FY 29 FY 30 FY 31 FY 31 Total:
Estimated Costs:
Studies, Design, Engineering, Inspection, GC, Legal -
Land/ROW/Easement Acquisition -
Construction -
Furniture & Equipment -
Anticipated Debt Repayment 125 125 125 125 125 626
TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS:125 125 125 125 125 - - - - - 626
Funding Sources:
General Fund -
Grant/Donation/Developer Contribution -
Current Bond-(Open Space)-
Anticipated Debt (Penny for Path)- - - -
Road Improvement Impact Fee -
Recreation Impact Fee -
Trade-In Generated Revenues -
Other: Open Space Fund 125 125 125 125 125 - - - - - 626
TOTAL FUNDING SOURCES:125 125 125 125 125 - - - - - 626
STATUS: Land has been purchased.
DESCRIPTION: Debt service to be repaid with 1/2 cent for open space.
OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT: None
JUSTIFICATION:
AVG ESTIMATED SAVINGS PER YEAR:
FINANCIALS COMMENT:AVG ESTIMATED REVENUES PER YEAR:
Open Space Projects | Ashley Parker
GENERAL FUND - OPEN SPACE
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM EXPENDITURE
PROJECT:Hubbard Recreation & Natural Area (formally Underwood)
0
0
DEPARTMENT/STAFF CONTACT:
Open Space Projects | Ashley Parker
FINANCIALS (in $1,000)FY 23 FY 24 FY 26 FY 27 FY 28 FY 29 FY 30 FY 31 FY 31 Total:
Estimated Costs:
Studies, Design, Engineering, Inspection, GC, Legal 20 20
Land/ROW/Easement Acquisition -
Construction 175 150 325
Furniture & Equipment -
Anticipated Debt Repayment -
TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS:195 150 - - - - - - - 345
Funding Sources:
General Fund -
Grant/Donation/Developer Contribution 5 5
Current Bond-(Open Space)90 100 190
Anticipated Debt -
Current Bond- (Penny for Path)50 50 100
Recreation Impact Fee 50 50
Trade-In Generated Revenues -
Other: Open Space Fund -
TOTAL FUNDING SOURCES:195 150 - - - - - - - 345
STATUS: Invasive plant management is ongoing. Trail assessment
complete and being incorporated into conceptual design. Public Forum
on 9/23/2021 to review conceptual design for the following elements:
shared use path, trail formalization, on-site parking, stormwater
management, and a viewing area. Public feedback will be incorporated
into overall design, and the design will be submitted for permitting late
fall 2021. Looking to construct all elements under consideration in the
summer of 2022.
DESCRIPTION: Complete the design and initiate construction of passive recreational spaces at this park.
Initiate design of proposed park elements to support passive recreation opportunities, to include: trail
formalization, shared use path, on-site parking area, viewing area, wayfinding, and stormwater
management. Continue removing invasive plants. Continued invasive plant management that incorporates
both consultant and volunteer effort.
OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT: None
JUSTIFICATION: Newly aquired park that will be for passive recreational opportunities for community.
Proposed Phase 1 elements pulled from completed Master Plan, and are also noted on the Open Space
Task Force priority project list.AVG ESTIMATED SAVINGS PER YEAR:
FINANCIALS COMMENT: 1/2 cent Open Space funds, Impact Fees, fundraising and user fees. The shared
use path design and construction will be funded by donations, Penny for Path funds, and Rec Impact Fees.
Open Space Task Force prioritized elements for use of Open Space funding in 2016.
AVG ESTIMATED REVENUES PER YEAR:
GENERAL FUND - OPEN SPACE
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM EXPENDITURE
PROJECT:Red Rocks Improvements
N/A
0
DEPARTMENT/STAFF CONTACT:
FINANCIALS (in $1,000)FY 23 FY 24 FY 25 FY 26 FY 27 FY 28 FY 29 FY 30 FY 31 FY 31 Total:
Estimated Costs:
Studies, Design, Engineering, Inspection, GC, Legal 10 10
Land/ROW/Easement Acquisition -
Construction 150 40 190
Furniture & Equipment -
Anticipated Debt Repayment -
TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS:160 40 - - - - - - - - 200
Funding Sources:
General Fund -
Grant/Donation/Developer Contribution - -
Current Bond-(Open Space)160 40 - - - - - - - 200
Anticipated Debt -
Current Bond- (Penny for Path)-
Recreation Impact Fee -
Trade-In Generated Revenues -
Other: Open Space Fund -
TOTAL FUNDING SOURCES:160 40 - - - - - - - - 200
STATUS: Invasive plant management is ongoing. Initial
concepts for erosion issues and parking concept received
in FY19. Brought in a consultant to assist in bringing all
identified projects through the permitting process. VT
ANR required a wetland delineation, and that work was
completed in FY21. Wayfinding was completed in FY21.
In FY22, staff is planning on implementing work on at least
two trails, complete 1 or 2 stormwater facilities. and
reroute a trail.
DESCRIPTION: Make improvements to the Park in accordance with Management Plan and the
recommendations made by the Open Space Task Force. Identifed projects in the pipeline include: trail
improvements and reroutes, stormwater management, beach culvert replacement, beach access trail
upgrade, Central Ave parking update, and assessment of the shoreline. Continue removing invasive
plants.
OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT: noneJUSTIFICATION: Long ignored, Red Rocks now needs major upgrades to its trail systems, corrections to
erosion issues both on trails and on the beach, renovations to parking areas, access offerings, and
maintenance of invasive species. Projects originally identfied as part of the Open Space Task Force
priority list.AVG ESTIMATED SAVINGS PER YEAR:
FINANCIALS COMMENT: Open Space Project funds as recommended by the Open Space Task Force in
2016.
AVE ESTIMATED REVENUES PER YEAR:
Open Space Projects | Ashley Parker
GENERAL FUND - OPEN SPACE
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM EXPENDITURE
PROJECT:Wheeler Nature Park Upgrades
N/A
0
DEPARTMENT/STAFF CONTACT:
Ashley Parker
FINANCIALS (in $1,000)FY 23 FY 24 FY 25 FY 26 FY 27 FY 28 FY 29 FY 30 FY 31 FY 31 Total:
Estimated Costs:
Studies, Design, Engineering, Inspection, GC, Legal 50 50
Land/ROW/Easement Acquisition -
Construction 150 50 200
Furniture & Equipment -
Anticipated Debt Repayment -
TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS:200 50 - - - - - - - - 250
Funding Sources:
General Fund - -
Grant/Donation/Developer Contribution -
Current Bond-(Open Space)200 50 - - - - - - - 250
Anticipated Debt -
Current Bond- (Penny for Path)-
Recreation Impact Fee -
Trade-In Generated Revenues -
Other: Open Space Fund -
TOTAL FUNDING SOURCES:200 50 - - - - - - - - 250
STATUS: Invasive plant removal is ongoing. Remaining trail project
identified in the FY20 trail assessment were completed in early FY22.
Audubon/USFWS habitat management work was delayed due to
COVID, but is expected to take place in the winter of 2021. This work
will be funded by outside grant funding, and will not require any
match by the City. Wayfinding was completed in early FY22. The
conservation easement has not been finalized yet, but will require an
updated management plan, which will likely be needed in FY22.
DESCRIPTION: Make improvements to the Wheeler Nature Park in accordance with its
Management Plan recommendations, as well as the priority list created by the Open Space
Task Force. Continue invasive plant removal work, conduct trail improvements, complete
any remaining wayfinding work, and revise management plan in accordance with potential
conservation easement. Initiate assessment and design of an accessible path to the Tree
House, and consider an accessible path in the nature park from the gravel lot of Swift Street.
OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT: JUSTIFICATION: Age related upgrades needed for the park. Projects originally identfied as
part of the Open Space Task Force priority list.AVG ESTIMATED SAVINGS PER YEAR:
FINANCIALS COMMENT: Open Space Project funds as recommended by the Open Space
Task Force in 2016. Open Space funds will not be used for upgrades to the Wheeler house.
Other sources of funding (i.e. Rec Impact Fees, Donations, etc.) will be used if it is
determined house upgrades are needed.
AVE ESTIMATED REVENUES PER YEAR:
Open Space Projects
Natural Resources & Conservation Committee Staff Update – 10/6/2021
Open Space Fund Projects –
- Red Rocks Park:
• Staff will be participating in a site visit with ANR in October to review the overall site
plan and discuss wetland and buffer impacts. This is part of the state permitting
process.
• Staff is still hoping the Project team can meet with City stormwater representatives to
discuss adjustments to proposed treatment facilities based on delineated wetlands.
Once we determine whether our plans meet the local stormwater requirements.
• Staff finalized an agreement with a consultant to help guide the City through the
permitting process. This should really get underway this fall and hopefully wrap up at
the end of the winter.
- Wheeler Nature Park:
• The phased trail maintenance projects are in the finishing stages. Once completed, the
trails will be back to a near-new condition, and annual maintenance will become the
priority.
• Staff are coordinating with Audubon & the US Fish & Wildlife Service to determine when
invasive plant management/habitat restoration work might commence this fall/winter.
This will be determined over the next month or so.
• The Dog Park at Wheeler is still under review by the DRB. The next DRB hearing is
October 19th.
- Hubbard Recreation & Natural Area:
• The Public Forum for the park elements went well. The public comment period is being
left open through October 8th to ensure we capture any feedback from those that
weren’t able to attend the forum or had issues via the virtual link.
• The Project Team will be working through the public comments and incorporating
various pieces into the next phase of design.
• The team is bringing on an archaeology group to initiate the survey of the project area
to assess potential archaeological impacts from the proposed design.
• The team hopes to initiate permitting this fall/winter. Permitting should last through
the winter.
• Staff have received reports of individuals, and dogs, being stung by bees at this
property. Staff are working with Common Roots to move a bee hive that they placed
near a trail. In the meantime, please be on the lookout when walking at the park and
please notify staff of any additional issues.
Champlain Valley Conservation Partnership (CVCP):
• The partnership met on September 22nd.
• The partnership reviewed a map that will depict the area of interest for conservation
projects in the region. This map will accompany future outreach that the group can
share to help support and prioritize conservation projects in the region.
• The partners were reminded of the need to budget a portion of the cost associated with
funding a regional Vermont Master Naturalist class that will start in the fall of 2022. The
full cost to run the program is $5k, and each partner is being asked to contribute some
amount of funding. The City is working to incorporate this into its next budget.
• The partnership is also starting to think about how to incorporate issues associated with
land equity and access into the work that we do. We are also interested in working to
support future landowner engagement opportunities to share conservation strategies
with those that own land in our area of interest.
Management Plan Task Force Update:
• Staff has picked this project back up and is hoping to have a draft ready for the Task
Force to review in the spring of 2022.
Other:
• Open Space Project Fund CIP: The Committee will be reviewing the draft Open Space
Project Fund CIP at this meeting. If there are any comments/questions, please share
those with staff.
• Recreation & Parks CIP: The Recreation & Parks Department is working on their own CIP.
This year they are planning on including project for a master plan for parks and City-
owned open spaces.
• City Priorities & Strategies: Thank you to the work group that put together the bulleted
list of priorities and strategies to be incorporated into the City’s first strategy session on
this topic.
• Community Hike Series:
- The Community Hike on September 25th, at the Hubbard Recreation & Natural Area
was a success. The Yale researcher will be sharing study results throughout the time she
is working on this project, and this information will be shared with the public.
- Upcoming: October 23rd, at Red Rocks Park with the Chittenden County Forester, Ethan
Tapper. Registration will be required, and space will be limited.
• Night Hike at the Hubbard Recreation & Natural Area: The Rec Department is hosting a
night hike at the Hubbard Recreation & Natural Area as part of their planned Halloween
festivities. It will be on Tuesday, October 19th, from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Come explore
the open trail around the perimeter of the property. Glow necklaces will be provided,
but participants are encouraged to bring a flashlight or headlamp.
• Weed Warrior Program:
- Staff is working to coordinate a fall Weed Warrior opportunity where participants can
learn more about managing invasive plants during the “off season”. We are hoping to
do something on October 30th. Location and timing has not been determined yet.
• Open Space Parcels: A group of students in the UVM NR206 class are working on the
City’s Open Space parcel project. They will be connecting with City staff throughout the
semester, conducting site visits, and gathering information/data about parcels to help
the City better document its open spaces.