HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Dog Park Committee - 10/12/2021
Common Area for Dogs Committee
DRAFT
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Members Present: Betty Milizia (Chair), Muriel More, Justin Palmer (Vice Chair), Linda Chaisson, Lisa
Yankowski, Molly Bezio
Staff Liaison: Justin Rabidoux
Member of Public: Tony Hill
1. Appointed Clerk: Molly Bezio
2. Adopt Agenda: Agenda was adopted
3. Evacuation/Emergency: Justin R. described evacuation route in the event of emergency.
4. Public Comments:
Tony Hill noted she has been using the Farrell Dog Park and expressed concern over the holes that have
continued to grow larger and larger. She mentioned that some holes have grown so large that they are
taking on standing water, some of which dogs had drank from and became sick. The holes have also become
trip hazards to both humans and dogs. Tony had filled holes with gravel but did not continue as she was
advised not to. Dog park users are willing to fill in the holes to avoid illness/injury but would like
recommendations as to the materials they should use. Tony noted it seemed that no one was responsible
for such maintenance so took matters into her own hands.
Justin R. recommended that maintenance concerns should brought to the attention of the Department of
Public Works. Maintenance issues are not under the Common Area for Dog Committee’s purview.
5. Review Wheeler Site Plan to DRB & Next Steps:
Justin R. noted that we do not have DRB staff comments at this point. There are two concurrent
paths post DRB approval. DRB has 30 days to issue findings after next meeting, followed by a 30-
day public comment period. Once the permit is granted, the permit can be appealed within 30
days. If there are no appeals to land use permit, then Justin R. will get contract in place for fencing.
There is no need to wait for Phase 2 discussions such as where internal gates would be placed,
amenities within the park, materials to be used, fundraising, etc. Betty and Muriel will connect
separately to brainstorm and come back to the larger group with recommendations.
6. Capital Improvement Plan for Dog Park:
Justin noted that the CIP program will require continual funding for ongoing improvements,
upgrades and enhancements every so many years (i.e., fence repairs, new waste stations,
amenities, etc.). Justin will recommend that the dog parks receive continual funding for such
improvements and is open to feedback from the Committee.
7. Report on Meeting with Andrew Gill of O’Brien Brothers Properties
Betty and Justin Palmer recently met with Andrew Gill, project manager of the O’Brien property, at
Farrell Dog Park to discuss the potential dog park at O’Brien property. During their Farrell site visit,
they noted a continual flow of people and their dogs and need for substantial parking. Betty and
Justin P. made several recommendations for future dog parks such as what materials and amenities
are typically used or avoided.
The committee reviewed the site plan provided by Andrew (shown below). She noted that Andrew
will be attending the next Committee meeting in November. Members expressed their interest in
talking with him.
8. Work-plan.
Justin R. noted that the Dog Park Committee had originally been charged with looking for other
locations for dog parks and identified an area near Butler Farms for a larger dog park. Betty shared
that more developers might be interested in including more dog parks in their developments. Justin
commented that the less dog parks we have as a city, the more sizable parking that would be
required as result of higher demand. Whereas the more dog parks that are constructed, the less
parking space that would be required as parking would serve micro-populations in comparison to
having one or two parks with much larger demand. Betty offered to work with Muriel on a draft
work-plan for the committee to discuss at our next meeting.
9. Draft LDR Amendments for Public Hearing on 10/26
There is a public hearing scheduled for October 26th for anyone that is interested in attending.
Justin R. shared the link to upcoming hearing.
Muriel was interested in the proposed language in the LDRs regarding the large amount of land the
city has recently purchased along Hinesburg Road referenced “low impact” uses. She remarked that
it might make great off leash space for dogs and hoped that they will be considered. Betty shared
that we will need to make sure we are involved in the discussions about what impact or access the
public will have to these areas.
Next Regular Scheduled Meeting: Tuesday, November 9th 6 – 7:30 PM