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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Natural Resources & Conservation Committee - 11/03/2021 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, November 3, 2021 at 6:00 PM City Hall, 180 Market Street, Room 301 or Online Interactive Online Meeting (audio & video): https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/800285405 By telephone (audio only): 1-408-650-3123; Access Code:800-285-405 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. Tom Hubbard Recreation and Natural Area (6:25) (https://www.southburlingtonvt.gov/document_center/RecsParks/HRNA_Concept-210917.pdf) 6. Vermont Climate Action Plan review: https://climatechange.vermont.gov/ (6:35) 7. South Burlington Land Trust update (John) (6:40) 8. Eastview O'Brien development: report after members’ visit. (6:50) 9. Environment protection standard and Conservation PUD draft: report from the Planning Commission hearing.(7:00) 10. Common Area for dogs meeting report. (7:15) 11. Open Space plan initial discussion (7:25) 12. Members & Staff Reports (7:40) a. Chair- none b. Staff Report c. Work Group/Member Reports 13. Discuss Future Agenda Items (7:55) 14. Confirm Next Mtg Date: Currently Scheduled for 12/01/2021, 6 PM (1st Wed. of month) 15. Adjourn (8:00 pm) NATURAL RESOURCES & CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes for Wednesday 10/06/2021 at 6:00 pm Attending: Ashley Parker, Larry Kupferman (Vice Chr), Jean Sebastien-Chaulot (Chr), Katherine Boyk, Bill Wargo, Lisa Yankowski, Drew Shatzer , Jon Bossange(virtual) Missing: David Crawford 1) Ashley reviewed emergency protocol. This meeting is hybrid- in person & remote. 2) No changes to the agenda. 3) No public attendees. 4) Minutes from 09/01/21- Larry moved to accept, Katherine 2nd. Approved with a couple of minor corrections. 5) City Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan. Refer to the memo from Justin Rabidoux (Director of Public works) to Jessie Baker, City Manager. a. The Emerald Ash Borer which came from Asia. South Burlington created a plan to handle the invasive due to all the ash trees planted along streets in developments throughout the city, (reference the letter from the city). The plan is due for re-approval to keep removing the ash trees and replacing them with alternatives from a list of other varieties. b. Larry was wondering about some of the tree varieties on the list that flower. Messy when they are done flowering. Thought Linden might a nice alternative suburban tree, he will mention this to Craig Lambert, the city arborist. Drew asked about a Plan B that would try treating trees instead of removal. There is no Plan B. The city does not want to treat the trees and run the risk of the poisons running into the lake. This fear includes the injectable treatments too. Lisa proposed harvesting saplings/seedlings from the forests in the city’s parks- save ourselves some money. The committee wants to make some suggestions to Craig. 6) Review planning & zoning memo regarding the NRCC ‘s request for an update on the O’Brien Development Project. The Planning Dept. will soon be finalizing PUD regulations as Interim Zoning ends. Reference the letter from Marla Keene, Development Review Planner. a. This project is 2 parts: Hillside, which has been under construction in several phases over several years, and the proposed Eastview Project, still being reviewed by the city. The developer has already received our observations and suggestions. It is expected the final plat application will incorporate many of these suggestions. b. Our current concern is a road marked for future commercial development and land for the commercial use that abuts a wood lot. Larry, John and Katherine want to walk the site. Ashley will make arrangements for Sunday 10/17. We need to review, in detail, the latest plans and if our suggestions are incorporated. c. We also want to check on the Eastview Plans vs the changes to the PUDs. Larry saw some changes that might allow encroachment into conserved areas. We want to review sections of the new regulations – concentrating on 15.C.05 &, 12.0 Restoration. We need to see what information we have saved to the NRCC Google drive on the city site. 7) Review and Discuss the Environmental Protection Standard & Conservation PUD Draft. a. The final public hearing is 10/26. We need to go over these again to see if we have any questions about any of the changes. b. Larry made a motion, 2nd by Katherine authorizing Jean to draft a statement for Ashley to pass to Paul Connor, City Planner. We want a statement for the public hearing on the review and proposed adoption of the new Environmental Protection Standards. Larry also sees the need to add to the regulations where the NRCC can recommend a technical review of any deviations into a conserved area or habitat block. A neutral source not hired by the developer. Someone who can evaluate the potential effects of the deviation on the habitat block. 8) Review Draft Open Space Project Fund (CIP). Refer to the Open Space Overview Summary provided in our information packets. a. Larry motioned to approve , Lisa 2nd. Approved unanimously. 9) Committee Work Plan & Annual Report. a. The annual report is past due. The NRCC Work Plan has been crafted and sent to Ashley for the city council. b. We need to still develop an Open Space Plan. Ashley suggested looking at the one developed by Shelburne as a guide to start ours. 10) Chair & Staff Reports a. No report from the chair. b. See Ashley’s staff report that was provided. c. Lisa Has a Common Area for Dogs meeting 10/12. Justin Rabidoux will be going before the DRB for the proposed dog park at Wheeler for approval. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Review the Environmental Protection Standards regarding Eastview - We have a project Marla wants us to review once she has sent the info to Ashley - Jean will get the Annual Report done and sent to Ashley - We need to compile our suggestions for Craig regarding the Ash Borer Plan - Develop an Open Space Plan The next meeting is NOVEMBER 03, 2021 at 6pm Katherine motioned to adjourn, Larry 2nd- adjourned 8pm EVENTS 10/19 NIGHT HIKE at HUBBARD PARK 6-7pm 10/23 RED ROCKS WALK with Ethan Tapper 10-12 10/26 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION STANDARDS FINAL PUBLIC COMMENTS City Hall 10/30 WEED WARRIORS AT CITY CENTER PARK 1-3 pm 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 i. 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. 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 Natural Resources & Conservation Committee Staff Update – 11/3/2021 Open Space Fund Projects – - Red Rocks Park: • The site visit with ANR and the ACOE went well, and the project team has a solid understanding of how to move projects through the permitting process. The goal is to finalize the plans and initiate the permitting process this fall/winter. • The project team is meeting with the City’s Stormwater Department to review changes to the proposed stormwater element. The goal is to make sure that we have designed adequate stormwater treatment into the plans for local permits. • The shoreline assessment is happening this week. This work will identify needs for stabilization and document recommended strategies. - Wheeler Nature Park: • The trail maintenance work lined up for this year is completed. At this time, trails are back to a ‘near new’ condition, and annual maintenance will be important in keeping them in good condition. Staff plans on doing a walk through with the consultant to determine whether there are any outstanding items to implement next season. • Staff plans on looking at additional wayfinding signage needs in the park this fall/winter. Any additional signs would be installed next year. • Staff are reviewing an agreement with Audubon & the US Fish & Wildlife Service to conduct invasive plant management/habitat restoration work this fall/winter. Once language is agreed to, the topic will likely go in front of the Council for approval. • The DRB reviewed the latest plans for the Dog Park at Wheeler on October 19th. Staff expects an approval for these plans in about a month. - Hubbard Recreation & Natural Area: • The Project Team met to review all of the public comments from the forum and began strategizing how best to incorporate them into the 30% design. The team is discussing solutions for the shared use path material-type (including permeable surfaces), as well as solutions for the parking area layout and design. The goal is to line up permit-ready plans this fall/winter. • An archaeology team will be on-site in November to conduct field work that will assist us in reviewing the site for sensitive archaeological features. Timing to be determined. • Staff worked with Common Roots to move bees that they placed on-site to a location that is further away from users. This also included an agreement by Common Roots to place more signage that would alert park users to the bees. Champlain Valley Conservation Partnership (CVCP): • The partnership met on October 27th. • The partnership is continuing to finalize 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 partnership is continuing to finalize an outreach piece to accompany the map for use in outreach. It shares information about how the group formed, what its priorities are, and projects it is interested in furthering. • The group is also considering creating an interactive story map to share with the public that will help tell the story of the partnership and land conservation in the region. • Once the outreach pieces are completed and ready for distribution, the partnership will begin to tackle issues related to land equity and access, and landowner engagement. 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 (possibly sooner). Other: • Committee Outreach/Engagement Events: The Rec Department is wondering if the Committee has any interest in any winter (or other season) event (i.e.: nature walks, star gazing, composting, etc.). This has been something the Committee has indicated an interest in previously. If any member of the Committee has an interest, Holly Rees would be happy to gather support to help pull them together. • Funding for VT Master Naturalist Fall 2022 Class: The Rec Department has budgeted $5,000 for the next fiscal year to support the regional class of the Vermont Master Naturalist program that will take place in the fall of 2022. The regional partnership will be working with Alicia Daniel to strategize on promoting the class over the fall/winter. • Community Hike Series: - The Community Hike on October 23rd, at Red Rocks Park with Chittenden County Forester, Ethan Tapper, was a success. - Staff is trying to see if there is an interest leader for a hike in November. If not, the season will start back up again next year (2022). • Night Hike at the Hubbard Recreation & Natural Area: The Rec Department had to cancel this event due to wet trails. They are hoping to reschedule it in November. • Weed Warrior Program: - The final Weed Warrior event of the season was on October 30th, at City Center Park. Mike Bald led the volunteers on a demonstration of how to remove invasive plants in the fall/winter. Planning for next season will pick up over the winter. • 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.