HomeMy WebLinkAboutChamberlin Neighborhood Land Use & Transporation Plan with Appendices - 06302016
CHAMBERLIN NEIGHBORHOOD LAND USE AND
TRANSPORTATION PLAN
6.30.2016
55 Railroad Row White River Junction, VT 05001 802.295.4999 www.rsginc.com
PREPARED FOR: CHITTENDEN COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON
SUBMITTED BY: RSG
IN COOPERATION WITH: CROSBY | SCHLESSINGER | SMALLRIDGE ORION PLANNING AND DESIGN & THIRD SECTOR ASSOCIATES
CHAMBERLIN NEIGHBORHOOD STUDY
PREPARED FOR: CHITTENDEN COUNTY REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION AND CITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON
i
CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 | Project Context .............................................................................................................................. 2
1.2 | Project Vision and Objectives ........................................................................................................ 5
Vision Statement .............................................................................................................................. 5
Objectives ........................................................................................................................................ 5
1.3 | Project History ............................................................................................................................... 7
1.4 | Report Organization ...................................................................................................................... 9
2.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS ASSESSMENT ...................................................................................... 10
2.1 | Neighborhood Land Use Assessment ......................................................................................... 10
Zoning ............................................................................................................................................ 10
Public Spaces ................................................................................................................................ 12
Education and Public Resources ................................................................................................... 13
Historic Resources ......................................................................................................................... 16
2.2 | Transportation System Assessment ............................................................................................ 17
Streets and Physical Character ..................................................................................................... 17
Pedestrian Facilities ....................................................................................................................... 20
Transit ............................................................................................................................................ 24
Traffic Operations ........................................................................................................................... 25
2.3 | Noise Condition Assessment ...................................................................................................... 31
Noise Land Inventory and Re-Use Plan ......................................................................................... 33
2.4 | Relevant Plans and Studies to the Chamberlin Neighborhood ................................................... 35
ii June 30, 2016
3.0 DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVES .......................................................................................... 44
3.1 | Transportation Improvements ..................................................................................................... 45
Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity .............................................................................................. 46
Street Improvements ...................................................................................................................... 59
Airport Drive ................................................................................................................................... 69
3.2 | Civic Improvements ..................................................................................................................... 73
Civic Enhancements ...................................................................................................................... 74
Front Yards and Public Rights of Way ........................................................................................... 76
Enhancements to Mills Avenue and Duval Trails .......................................................................... 82
Use of Airport Acquisition Land ...................................................................................................... 87
3.3 | Institutional Arrangements ........................................................................................................... 89
Opportunities & Methods for Public Engagement .......................................................................... 90
Information Pathways ..................................................................................................................... 91
4.0 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ............................................................................................................. 93
4.1 | Transportation ............................................................................................................................. 94
Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity .............................................................................................. 94
Street Improvements ...................................................................................................................... 99
Airport Drive ................................................................................................................................. 101
4.2 | Civic Improvements ................................................................................................................... 102
Civic Enhancements .................................................................................................................... 102
Front Porches and Public Rights of Way ..................................................................................... 106
Use of Airport Acquisition Land .................................................................................................... 108
4.3 | Institutional Arrangements ......................................................................................................... 111
Developing Recommendations .................................................................................................... 111
Findings From the Public Process ............................................................................................... 113
Takeaways and Overall Recommendations ................................................................................ 114
4.4 | Implementation Plan Matrix ....................................................................................................... 116
And Finally, Let’s Celebrate! ........................................................................................................ 116
Short Term Recommendations (Less Than 3 years) ................................................................... 117
Medium Term Recommendations (3-7 years) ............................................................................. 117
Long Term Recommendations (8+ years) ................................................................................... 119
Improvements Considered but Not Advanced ............................................................................. 119
iii
List of Figures
FIGURE 1-1: NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT ..................................................................................................................................... 2
FIGURE 1-2: CHAMBERLIN NEIGHBORHOOD STUDY AREA ....................................................................................................... 3
FIGURE 1-3: ACQUISITION LAND ................................................................................................................................................... 4
FIGURE 1-4: CHAMBERLIN NEIGHBORHOOD STUDY TIMELINE ................................................................................................ 8
FIGURE 2-1: CITY ZONING WITHIN STUDY AREA (CITY ZONING MAP, 4.11.16) ...................................................................... 11
FIGURE 2-2: FUTURE LAND USE (CITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, 2.1.16) ................................................................................ 12
FIGURE 2-3: OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION ........................................................................................................................... 13
FIGURE 2-4: CHAMBERLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL .................................................................................................................. 14
FIGURE 2-5: EDUCATION AND PUBLIC RESOURCES ................................................................................................................ 15
FIGURE 2-6: CHAMBERLIN NEIGHBORHOOD STREET LAYOUT .............................................................................................. 17
FIGURE 2-7: OUTDOOR ROOMS .................................................................................................................................................. 18
FIGURE 2-8: TYPICAL STREET ..................................................................................................................................................... 19
FIGURE 2-9: BASKETBALL HOOPS ............................................................................................................................................. 19
FIGURE 2-10: SIDEWALKS AND RECREATION PATHS .............................................................................................................. 22
FIGURE 2-11: 0.25 MILE/5-MINUTE WALKING RADIUS FROM OPEN SPACES ......................................................................... 23
FIGURE 2-12: WALKSCORES ....................................................................................................................................................... 24
FIGURE 2-13: CCTA TRANSIT ....................................................................................................................................................... 25
FIGURE 2-14: 10 STUDY INTERSECTIONS .................................................................................................................................. 26
FIGURE 2-15: 2015 AM PEAK HOUR, SPRING 2015 .................................................................................................................... 27
FIGURE 2-16: 2015 PM PEAK HOUR, SPRING 2015 .................................................................................................................... 28
FIGURE 2-17: LEVEL-OF-SERVICE CRITERIA FOR SIGNALIZED AND UNSIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS ............................. 28
FIGURE 2-18: PEAK HOUR LOS RESULTS .................................................................................................................................. 30
FIGURE 2-19: ACQUISITION LAND ............................................................................................................................................... 32
FIGURE 2-20: CELL PHONE LOT ON FORMER RESIDENTIAL PARCELS ................................................................................. 32
FIGURE 2-21: COMMUNITY DOG PARK ....................................................................................................................................... 33
FIGURE 2-22: LIVING WALL .......................................................................................................................................................... 33
FIGURE 2-23: PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS.............................................................................................. 35
FIGURE 2-24: AIRPORT DRIVE/AIRPORT PARKWAY IMPROVEMENTS (2005) ......................................................................... 36
FIGURE 2-25: RECOMMENDED SHARED USE PATH ALIGNMENT ON VT-15 (2012) ................................................................ 37
FIGURE 2-26: CHAMBERLIN SCHOOL PREFERRED WALKING AND BICYCLING ROUTES (2013) ......................................... 39
FIGURE 2-27: WILLISTON ROAD PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS (2015) ................................................... 41
FIGURE 2-28: GARDEN STREET ALIGNMENT (2015) .................................................................................................................. 42
FIGURE 2-29: AIRPORT PARKWAY DRAFT PLANS (JANUARY 2016) ....................................................................................... 43
FIGURE 3-1: CHAMBERLIN NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT SCHEDULE ....................................................................................... 45
FIGURE 3-2: WHITE STREET SIDEWALK ..................................................................................................................................... 46
FIGURE 3-3: WALKING DISTANCE EXAMPLE 1 .......................................................................................................................... 48
FIGURE 3-4: WALKING DISTANCE EXAMPLE 2 .......................................................................................................................... 48
FIGURE 3-5: PROPOSED OVERLAND PATH LOCATIONS .......................................................................................................... 49
FIGURE 3-6: PROPOSED LOCATION OF CENTENNIAL BROOK BOARDWALK ....................................................................... 50
FIGURE 3-7: POTENTIAL CROSSWALK LOCATIONS ................................................................................................................. 51
FIGURE 3-8: WILLISTON ROAD CROSSING OPTIONS ............................................................................................................... 51
iv June 30, 2016
FIGURE 3-9: RECTANGULAR RAPID FLASHING BEACON AND ADVANCED YIELD LINE EXAMPLES .................................. 52
FIGURE 3-10: EXISTING CROSS-SECTION OF WHITE ST AND PATCHEN RD .......................................................................... 53
FIGURE 3-11: CROSS-SECTION WITH ON-ROAD BIKE LANES ................................................................................................. 53
FIGURE 3-12: WILLISTON ROAD BIKE LANES ............................................................................................................................ 54
FIGURE 3-13: POSSIBLE CROSS-SECTION WITH PROTECTED BIKE LANES (50-FOOT RIGHT OF WAY) ............................. 54
FIGURE 3-14: PROTECTED BIKE LANE DEMONSTRATION IN MONTPELIER ........................................................................... 55
FIGURE 3-15: ALL PROPOSED BIKE LANES ............................................................................................................................... 57
FIGURE 3-16: PROPOSED AIRPORT PARKWAY IMPROVEMENT LOCATION NEAR STUDY AREA ........................................ 58
FIGURE 3-17: EXAMPLE OF A SOLAR RADAR SPEED SIGN ..................................................................................................... 59
FIGURE 3-18: ILLUSTRATED MEDIAN ON VICTORY DRIVE ....................................................................................................... 60
FIGURE 3-19: ILLUSTRATED PINCH POINTS ON VICTORY DRIVE ............................................................................................ 60
FIGURE 3-20: PROPOSED MEDIAN / PINCH POINT LOCATIONS ............................................................................................... 61
FIGURE 3-21: PAINTED STREETS IN PORTLAND, OR ................................................................................................................ 62
FIGURE 3-22: ILLUSTRATION OF REFUGE ISLAND AT INTERSECTION OF AIRPORT PKWY AND KIRBY RD ...................... 63
FIGURE 3-23: ILLUSTRATION OF CURB RADIUS REDUCTION AT INTERSECTION OF WHITE ST AND COTTAGE GROVE
AVE ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 64
FIGURE 3-24: RAINBOW CROSSWALK IN SAN FRANCISCO, CA .............................................................................................. 64
FIGURE 3-25: PATTERNED CROSSWALK IN THE ARTS DISTRICT OF BURLINGTON, VT ...................................................... 65
FIGURE 3-26: MINI ROUNDABOUT ON BLODGETT STREET, BURLINGTON, VT ...................................................................... 67
FIGURE 3-27: PROPOSED AIRPORT DRIVE REALIGNMENT (BIA 2009 RE-USE PLAN) ........................................................... 69
FIGURE 3-28: BIA 2030 VISION ..................................................................................................................................................... 71
FIGURE 3-29: PROPOSED AIRPORT DRIVE REALIGNMENT (BIA 2016 RE-USE PLAN) ........................................................... 71
FIGURE 3-30: NEIGHBORHOOD GATEWAY SIGN EXAMPLES .................................................................................................. 74
FIGURE 3-31: EXISTING FRONT YARDS WITH PORCHES AND 18' TALL STREET LIGHTS INSTALLED AT 60' ON CENTER 75
FIGURE 3-32: EXISTING FRONT YARDS WITH PORCHES AND 14' TALL STREET LIGHTS INSTALLED AT 40' ON CENTER 75
FIGURE 3-33: EXAMPLES OF SMALL COVERED PORCHES ...................................................................................................... 76
FIGURE 3-34: EXAMPLES OF COVERED PORCHES ................................................................................................................... 77
FIGURE 3-35: EXAMPLES OF PARTIALLY COVERED PORCHES .............................................................................................. 77
FIGURE 3-36: EXAMPLES OF UNCOVERED PORCHES .............................................................................................................. 77
FIGURE 3-37: CROSS-SECTION OF PORCHES WITH SUNLIGHT PATH .................................................................................... 78
FIGURE 3-38: EXISTING FRONT YARDS ...................................................................................................................................... 78
FIGURE 3-39: FRONT YARDS WITH 6' AND 12' PORCHES ......................................................................................................... 79
FIGURE 3-40: TYPICAL EXISTING STREET CROSS-SECTIONS ................................................................................................. 79
FIGURE 3-41: STREET CROSS-SECTIONS WITH PORCHES ...................................................................................................... 80
FIGURE 3-42: FRONT YARDS WITH PORCHES, FENCES, HEDGES, AND GARDENS .............................................................. 81
FIGURE 3-43: EXAMPLES OF BENCHES ..................................................................................................................................... 82
FIGURE 3-44: EXAMPLES OF PLANT AND TREE LABELS ......................................................................................................... 83
FIGURE 3-45: EXAMPLES OF BIRDHOUSES ............................................................................................................................... 84
FIGURE 3-46: FITNESS TRAIL EXAMPLE .................................................................................................................................... 84
FIGURE 3-47: FREE LENDING LIBRARY EXAMPLES .................................................................................................................. 85
FIGURE 3-48: MINIATURE MUSEUM IN SOMERVILLE, MA ......................................................................................................... 86
FIGURE 3-49: MULTI-USE TRAILS ADJACENT TO AND SEPARATED FROM THE ROADWAY ................................................ 87
v
FIGURE 3-50: INTERPRETIVE ELEMENTS ADJACENT TO LOGAN AIRPORT REFERENCING THE RESIDENTIAL
COMMUNITY’S HISTORY .............................................................................................................................................................. 88
FIGURE 3-51: MOUNTAIN VIEWS FROM KIRBY ROAD AND WHITE STREET ........................................................................... 88
FIGURE 4-1: ILLUSTRATION OF PROPOSED WHITE STREET SIDEWALK ............................................................................... 94
FIGURE 4-2: RECOMMENDED BIKE LANE LOCATIONS ............................................................................................................. 98
FIGURE 4-3: PORTABLE RADAR SPEED SIGN ........................................................................................................................... 99
FIGURE 4-4: CROSSWALK IN EAST TOWN, MILWAUKEE, WI (HOME TO A SUMMER MUSIC SERIES) ................................100
FIGURE 4-5: AIRPORT DRIVE “ALTERNATE DEVELOPMENT SCENARIO" (BIA 2016 RE-USE PLAN) ..................................101
FIGURE 4-6: RECOMMENDED GATEWAY SIGN LOCATIONS ...................................................................................................102
FIGURE 4-7: GATEWAY SIGN EXAMPLE ....................................................................................................................................103
FIGURE 4-8: WELCOME SIGN UPON ENTERING SOUTH BURLINGTON ..................................................................................103
FIGURE 4-9: STREET VIEW OF THE BORDER BETWEEN SOUTH BURLINGTON AND BURLINGTON ...................................104
FIGURE 4-10: WHITE STREET WITH STREET LIGHTS, SIDEWALK, AND BIKE LANES ..........................................................105
FIGURE 4-11: EXAMPLES OF FRONT PORCHES ON ONE-STORY HOUSES ...........................................................................106
FIGURE 4-12: STREET MODEL WITH PORCHES, SHRUBS, AND PLANTINGS IN PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY ...........................107
FIGURE 4-13: ROADSIDE TRAIL AND MEANDERING PATH EXAMPLE ....................................................................................108
FIGURE 4-14: CROSS SECTION OF ROADSIDE PATH ...............................................................................................................108
FIGURE 4-15: CROSS SECTION OF MEANDERING PATH .........................................................................................................109
FIGURE 4-16: RECOMMENDED POCKET PARK LOCATIONS ...................................................................................................110
FIGURE 4-17: POCKET PARK EXAMPLES ..................................................................................................................................110
List of Tables
TABLE 1-1: MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBERLIN NEIGHBORHOOD-AIRPORT PLANNING COMMITTEE ..................................... 1
TABLE 2-1: RIGHT OF WAY WIDTHS ........................................................................................................................................... 20
1.0 INTRODUCTION
At their September 15, 2014 meeting, the South Burlington City Council approved a vision
statement and a charge for the Chamberlin Neighborhood-Airport Planning Committee
(CNAPC) to develop a land use-transportation plan for the Chamberlin Neighborhood. The
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) and the City of South
Burlington retained the consulting team of RSG, Crosby|Schlessinger|Smallridge (CSS),
Orion Planning+Design, Third Sector Associates, and Hoyle Tanner & Associates (the
Consultants) to work closely with the CNAPC over a 15-month period to develop this plan,
which included 16 meetings of the CNAPC and three Community meetings.
TABLE 1-1: MEMBERS OF THE CHAMBERLIN NEIGHBORHOOD-AIRPORT PLANNING COMMITTEE
Name Representing
Carmine Sargent, chair Area 3
Tracey Harrington Planning Commission
Pat Nowak Airport Commission, SB Representative
Karsten Schlenter SB School District Appointee
Walden Rooney Area 1
Greg Severance Area 1
Linda Brakel Area 2
Marc Companion Area 2
Lisa LaRock Area 2
George Maille Area 3
Kim Robison Area 3
John Simson Greater SB Area
Patrick Clemens Greater SB Area
David Hartnett Burlington City Council Representative
Bill Keogh Airport Commission, Burlington Rep
This report represents the final report of the Chamberlin Neighborhood Land Use and
Transportation Study. The report culminates with an Implementation Plan, which is a
prioritized list of civic improvements and transportation improvements. The
Implementation Plan was formally approved by the CNAPC at a meeting on June 16, 2016.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
2 June 30, 2016
1.1 | PROJECT CONTEXT
The Chamberlin Neighborhood, adjacent to Burlington International Airport (BIA) in the
City of South Burlington, has challenging and unique land-use dynamics. Occupying a
central place in the north half of South Burlington, the neighborhood has been defined both
by its proximity to the airport, as well as by the character of the neighborhood itself.
FIGURE 1-1: NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT
While there are no formal boundaries of the Chamberlin Neighborhood, the boundaries for
the purpose of this study are:
• Kirby Road to the north
• Burlington International Airport to the east
• Williston Road (US Route 2) to the south
• Patchen Road to the west
The precise boundary of the Chamberlin Neighborhood is illustrated in Figure 1-2.
FIGURE 1-2: CHAMBERLIN NEIGHBORHOOD STUDY AREA
The neighborhood is largely comprised of single-family houses and has been home to
generations of South Burlington residents. It also is home to the Chamberlin School (one of
three South Burlington elementary schools), two City open spaces, and a dog park. In
addition, Jaycee Park is immediately adjacent to the neighborhood.
The Burlington International Airport (BIA), owned by the City of Burlington, first opened in
1920. Since then, BIA has expanded its physical size, increased the frequency of flights, and
become the location of the Vermont Air National Guard. These changes have inevitably
created higher traffic volumes and noise levels around the airport and within the Chamberlin
Neighborhood.
Although the neighborhood and the airport are two distinct entities, there is an area between
the two consisting of formerly private properties that the Airport has acquired. Beginning in
1998, BIA initiated a voluntary property acquisition program to comply with federal
regulations related to airport noise. As of 2016, BIA has acquired approximately 120
properties on the eastern edge of the Chamberlin Neighborhood, referred to in this report as
the “Acquisition Land.” As houses have been razed, vacant lots have been seeded over with
grass and maintained as open space, although the future land use has yet to be decided.
The acquired properties are shown in Figure 1-3 in orange.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
4 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 1-3: ACQUISITION LAND
1.2 | PROJECT VISION AND OBJECTIVES
The vision and objectives of this study were approved by the South Burlington City Council
at their September 15, 2014 meeting.
VISION STATEMENT
The City Council stated the Vision for this Study as follows:
“The Chamberlin Neighborhood is a beloved sector of the South Burlington
community, with great history, tradition, and assets which have long been identified
as vital to sustain and honor into the future. The Burlington International Airport is a
social and economic asset to the Cities of South Burlington and Burlington, as well as
to the surrounding region and state. The City of South Burlington, through this
project, seeks to develop a vision and strategies for the future that will harmonize
both the Chamberlin Neighborhood and the Burlington International Airport.
Furthermore, it is recognized that both face similar challenges in land use,
transportation, and noise issues, and a coordinated approach will benefit all.
The City of South Burlington seeks long term sustainability of the Chamberlin
Neighborhood and Burlington International Airport, resulting in a neighborhood that
remains attractive and affordable to families and endearing to the community, as well
as a successful, attractive airport that provides economic sustainability to the region
and state in an innovative and harmonious manner.”
OBJECTIVES
The following objectives, paraphrased from the City Council, are the ways in which the City
sought to achieve its vision:
1. Establish a process for productive dialogue between the Chamberlin
Neighborhood and BIA, including identifying communication methods within the
neighborhood and between the neighborhood and other decision-making bodies
such as the City, School District, and Airport, and to seek to establish a mechanism
for ongoing communication between the neighborhood and Airport.
2. Facilitate development of a neighborhood land use and transportation plan that:
a. Strengthens the neighborhood
b. Supports the retention of affordable housing
c. Relates the neighborhood to any planned developments and transportation
improvements in the vicinity of the study area
d. Results in an improvement plan for parks, streetscape, and other public
amenities
3. Identify multimodal transportation connections/improvements, both
transitional and long-term, that enhance neighborhood mobility and livability, while
maintaining efficient ground access to BIA. 4. Develop, with collaborative input, a vision for the neighborhood that can help
shape the re-use of Acquisition Land as described in the Part 150 Noise Land
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
6 June 30, 2016
Inventory and Re-Use Plan that BIA develops every 5 years in compliance with
Airport Improvement Program Grant conditions.
1.3 | PROJECT HISTORY
The Chamberlin Neighborhood Land Use and Transportation Plan formally began in
September 2014, when the City Council of South Burlington approved the study and
identified the project vision and the objectives (described above) and who would serve on
the project team. The Council approved of the creation of the Chamberlin Neighborhood
Airport Planning Committee (CNAPC) for overall project oversight. Other project team
members identified were City staff, CCRPC staff, BIA staff, and Consultants. The entire
project timeline is shown in Figure 1-4.
Key milestones of the project include:
In April 2015, the CNAPC developed its vision for the project, while the
Consultants developed an existing conditions analysis.
Also in April 2015, BIA began demolition of properties previously acquired through
its Noise Compatibility Program.
In May 2015, the CNAPC, supported by the Consultants, held a Community
Listening Session to understand local concerns about the neighborhood.
From July to September, 2015, the CNAPC worked with staff from the City and the
CCRPC to digest the results of the Community Listening Session and discuss the
priorities of the neighborhood.
During the fall of 2015, the Committee met to review the roles of the Airport and
the City, learn about and provide feedback on the revised Noise Exposure Maps
being prepared by the Airport, and discuss how to coordinate with upcoming
Airport planning projects including the update to the Airport Re-Use Plan.
In January 2016, the CNAPC formed a Noise Sub-Committee, comprised of a
subset of CNAPC members to focus on the noise issues in the neighborhood.
In January 2016, the CNAPC and Consultants began developing a set of
recommendations for the neighborhood, which were refined over the next six
months with input from the public in two community meetings (April and June
2016).
In June 2016, at their 16th and final meeting, the CNAPC unanimously approved a
slate of short-, medium-, and long-term recommendations. Collectively, these
recommendations are referred to as the Implementation Plan, and include cost
estimates and a discussion of next steps, including responsible parties for advancing
the recommendations. The final Implementation Plan, and the process by which it
was developed, is described in this report. The CNAPC also unanimously voted to
approve the final report of the Noise Subcommittee, which outlined a series of
organizational and action steps to address noise-related issues in the area.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
8 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 1-4: CHAMBERLIN NEIGHBORHOOD STUDY TIMELINE
15-Sep South Burlington City Council adoption of project objectives, vision,
and identification of project team
January - June Collection and analysis of existing conditions within the study area
8-Apr CNAPC meeting (with Consultant Team)
20-May CNAPC meeting (with Consultant Team)
27-May Community listening session held at Chamberlin School
25-Jun CNAPC meeting (with Consultant Team)
7-Jul CNAPC meeting
13-Jul CNAPC meeting
9-Sep CNAPC meeting
9-Nov Publication of the Airport’s updated Noise Exposure Map
9-Nov CNAPC meeting
19-Nov CNAPC meeting
13-Jan CNAPC meeting
27-Jan CNAPC Noise Subcommittee meeting
28-Jan CNAPC meeting and next steps and project schedule, and initial
improvement strategies discussed
10-Feb CNAPC Noise Subcommittee meeting
18-Feb CNAPC meeting (with Consultant Team) - Preliminary Transportation
suggestions
9-Mar CNAPC Noise Subcommittee meeting
16-Mar CNAPC meeting (with Consultant Team) - Preliminary Civic
Improvement and Institutional Arrangement Suggestions
23-Mar CNAPC Noise Subcommittee meeting
6-Apr CNAPC Noise Subcommittee meeting
13-Apr CNAPC meeting (with Consultant Team) - Refined Transportation
suggestions
20-Apr CNAPC Noise Subcommittee meeting
28-Apr Community Meeting
4-May CNAPC Noise Subcommittee meeting
11-May CNAPC meeting (with Consultant Team) - Refined Civic Improvement
and Institutional Arrangement suggestions
16-May CNAPC meeting
26-May CNAPC meeting (with Consultant Team) - Review of Draft
Implementation Plan
7-Jun Community Meeting
16-Jun CNAPC meeting (with Consultant Team) - Review of Draft Final Report,
Vote to recommend Implementation Plan to the City Council
30-Jun Final report submitted
2015
2014
2016
1.4 | REPORT ORGANIZATION
This report has the following sections:
Existing Conditions Assessment: A snapshot of the Study Area.
Development of Alternatives: A description of every suggestion considered and
how each one evolved over the course of the Study.
Implementation Plan: A summary of all final recommendations.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
10 June 30, 2016
2.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS ASSESSMENT
The assessment of existing conditions within the Chamberlin Neighborhood focuses on land
use, transportation, and noise. This section provides a baseline description of the
Chamberlin Neighborhood and leads to developing opportunities for improvements that are
addressed in the following sections of the report. Also provided in this section is a summary
of completed and ongoing plans/studies that may affect transportation and land use within
the Chamberlin Neighborhood.
2.1 | NEIGHBORHOOD LAND USE ASSESSMENT
As in much of metropolitan Burlington, housing development in the Chamberlin
Neighborhood proceeded slowly through the 1920s and 1930s, but occurred rapidly
following World War II. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, single-family homes were
constructed, typically on lots of one quarter of an acre. By roughly 1965, the neighborhood
was largely developed, the land use being predominantly single-family residential, with the
Airport at the east and commercial uses along Patchen Road and Williston Road at its
western and southern edges, respectively.
Today, land use in the area still consists principally of single-family residential. A small
portion of land is multi-unit residential, including duplexes, triplexes and the six-unit “Kirby
Cottages” project on Kirby Road. Two senior assisted care residential buildings (Pillsbury
Manor North and Gazebo Apartments) share a parcel on Williston Road. Residential uses
within the neighborhood are cohesive, and are interspersed with other land uses, including:
The Chamberlin Elementary School, owned by the South Burlington School
District, is located on White Street at the heart of the Study Area.
City open spaces include the Garvey property parallel to Mills Avenue, the
DeGraffe property off Duval Street, and Jaycee Park, just outside the study area on
Patchen Road.
Commercial uses within the Study Area are at the periphery of the area, primarily
along Williston Road.
Land acquired by BIA as part of their FAA Part 150 Noise Compatibility Plan,
located along the eastern edge of the Study Area.
The City leases 2.1 acres of land from the Airport for the Community Dog Park at
the eastern end of Kirby Road. The City and BIA are currently in discussions
regarding moving the Dog Park to a new location within the Acquisition Land.
ZONING
The primary zoning classifications under South Burlington’s Land Development
Regulations, updated June 27, 2016, applicable within and immediately adjacent to the Study
Area are:
• Residential 4, which applies to most of the properties within the study area
including the properties acquired by BIA (the “Acquisition Land”).
• Municipal, applicable to the Chamberlin School.
• Natural Resource Protection, which applies to the Garvey Property near Mills
Avenue and the DeGraffe property off Duval Street.
• Airport, which is the designation historically applied to lands owned by Burlington
International Airport that are in active airport-related use.
• Airport Industrial, the designation covering land in airport-related use that consists
of multiple properties, some of which are owned by BIA.
• Mixed Industrial & Commercial, which encourages general industrial and
commercial activity in areas of the City served by major roads and having ready
access to the Airport.
• Commercial 1, which encourages general retail and office uses that serve as or
enhance a compact central business area.
• Commercial 2, which encourages general commercial activity. This applies to the
Chittenden Solid Waste District (CSWD) drop-off center and several businesses
nearby.
FIGURE 2-1: CITY ZONING WITHIN STUDY AREA (CITY ZONING MAP, 4.11.16)
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
12 June 30, 2016
As noted above, nearly all of the properties acquired by BIA under the FAA Noise
Compatibility Program are zoned Residential 4, which does not allow airport-related or
commercial uses. Future land use planning will be guided by regulatory constraints on reuse
of these parcels, and by municipal zoning.
The City’s Comprehensive Plan, adopted February 1, 2016 suggests flexibility in this area in
its Future Land Use map, with a decided continuation of low intensity residential uses
(Figure 2-2).
FIGURE 2-2: FUTURE LAND USE (CITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, 2.1.16)
PUBLIC SPACES
There are four public spaces within the project area totaling approximately 31 acres, (9% of
the study area):
• The Garvey Property, a 7.37 acre rectangular parcel located between Mills Avenue
and Victory Drive off of Williston Road. A recreational path runs through the
wooded park to connect Williston Road to Lynn Avenue.
• The DeGraffe Property, an 11.2-acre parcel at the end of Duval Street. The parcel
is wooded and undeveloped. Centennial Brook runs through it.
• The Chamberlin School sits on a 10.2-acre parcel that includes a basketball court,
playground equipment, ball field, and multiple use field area. The schoolyard is
surrounded by houses and is accessible via the main driveway on White Street and a
pedestrian path from Hanover Street.
• The Community Dog Park, a 2.1-acre parcel located at the eastern end of Kirby
Road. This land is leased from BIA.
Jaycee Park, a 6.9-acre park with a youth baseball/adult softball field, picnic area with
shelter, 2 basketball courts, playground, parking, building with heat and restrooms, and open
field area for field sports is directly across Patchen Road from the Project Area.
FIGURE 2-3: OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION
EDUCATION AND PUBLIC RESOURCES
Within the neighborhood, Chamberlin School serves as a physical and community anchor
for the area. Serving grades Kindergarten through 5th on a 10-acre site on White Street, the
School’s 76,000 square feet of building space as well as its playing fields and outdoor spaces
are used as a public gathering space.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
14 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 2-4: CHAMBERLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
In its June 3, 2015 recommendations to the South Burlington School District Steering
Committee, the South Burlington School & Community Master Planning Task Force
recommended that the Chamberlin School be re-designated for other uses. The following
excerpt suggests possible re-uses:
“While the population continues to decline in the surrounding
neighborhood primarily due to the continue land acquisitions of Burlington
International Airport, the location of Chamberlin School makes it uniquely
suited for community or civic uses such as Parks & Recreation space,
Library, and or Senior Center. Though the Library may ultimately become
part of City Center, Chamberlin could be an ideal temporary home to
accommodate the renovations of the high school.”iii
The desire of the City and School District to ensure mobility and walk to school options has
provided an important focus for land use and transportation planning. For the 2014-2015
school year, Chamberlin School reported a total enrollment of 227 students, or 24% of the
948 elementary-aged students in South Burlington’s public schools. The South Burlington
School District, VT Demographic Study completed in December, 2014 projects that
Chamberlin School’s enrollment will decline over the coming decade and stabilize at
approximately 200 students in the period from 2020 to 2025.iii
The Chamberlin School draws students from a much broader geographic area of the City
than the Chamberlin Neighborhood alone. The school’s student population is drawn from
neighborhoods along Kennedy Drive, north of I-89, and from the eastern portion of the
Southeast Quadrant along Hinesburg Road, along with a handful of students who reside
outside the districted area. As such, the Chamberlin Neighborhood’s land uses,
transportation system and community facilities are an important resource for students and
their families who come to the neighborhood each school day. It is also useful context to
bear in mind that enrollment and change in the School itself will be a function of land use
and development throughout the sending area, and any changes to the boundaries of the
sending area, as well as changes within the School’s immediate neighborhood.
The Centerpoint School on Airport Drive provides adolescent treatment services and the
Leaps and Bounds Child Development Center on Williston Road provides childcare services
for infants, toddlers and preschool children. There are some registered childcare homes
within the study area, and also the Childrens’ Schools on Patchen Road is just outside the
study area.
There are other public resources within the neighborhood or just outside the neighborhood,
such as the South Burlington Department of Public Works and public areas within the
Burlington International Airport such as the runway viewing area.
FIGURE 2-5: EDUCATION AND PUBLIC RESOURCES
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
16 June 30, 2016
HISTORIC RESOURCES
The project area includes a number of resources listed on the State of Vermont Historic
Sites & Structures Survey. The Parkway Diner (1) on Williston Road is the only commercial
resource, although the Al’s French Frys sign (2) and the Swiss Host Motel and Village (3) are
just outside the project area at the intersection of White Street and Williston Road.
Two houses on Williston Road – 1386 (4) and 1422 (5) are listed on the Survey, and are also
on the State Register of Historic Places. Another house at 9 Barber Terrace (6) is also
included in the Survey. The Pizzagalli House (7) at the corner of White Street and Cottage
Grove is considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, as the earliest
example of International Style architecture in the State of Vermont. Numbers in the text
correspond to Figure 2.6. While the historic houses on Williston Road date back to 1830 and
1905, the commercial properties are from the mid-19th Century when automobile travel had
become very popular.
FIGURE 2.6: HISTORIC RESOURCES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
2.2 | TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM ASSESSMENT
STREETS AND PHYSICAL CHARACTER
The Chamberlin Neighborhood street plan has a very distinct urban pattern and character
(Figure 2-6). All of the internal streets but one, White Street, are a block or two in length,
nearly uniform in width with fairly uniform building setbacks, and are characterized by a
sense of closure. These short streets are all visually terminated at both ends by one of these
conditions:
the street dead ends into a cross street;
the street dead ends in a cul-de-sac;
the street ends in a 90-degree angle; or,
the street bends at a more gradual angle, which terminates the sight line.
FIGURE 2-6: CHAMBERLIN NEIGHBORHOOD STREET LAYOUT
In each instance, the short blocks become, in effect, outdoor rooms (Figure 2-7), defined by
the continuous building facades flanking the street and the visual terminus at both ends of the street. In many cases, large mature trees reinforce the street wall and create a canopy - a
“ceiling” by arching over the street (Figure 2-8). Traffic calming elements such as speed
humps and raised intersections help to slow traffic, reinforcing the “outdoor room” quality,
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
18 June 30, 2016
as evidenced by the photo of the three basketball hoops at the street edge on one
neighborhood block (Figure 2-9).
FIGURE 2-7: OUTDOOR ROOMS
FIGURE 2-8: TYPICAL STREET
FIGURE 2-9: BASKETBALL HOOPS
In sum, the Chamberlin Neighborhood urban form, its physical character, is reflected in
these intimate outdoor rooms. It is very different from the majority of post war residential
subdivisions and possesses unique qualities. Very few of the internal streets have sidewalks,
and there is no pedestrian scale lighting.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
20 June 30, 2016
The City of South Burlington’s GIS Parcel data was used to estimate right of way widths for
key streets within the study area. From this analysis, the right-of-way widths are 66 feet for
the arterial and collector streets in the study area, and 50 feet for all local streets.
TABLE 2-1: RIGHT OF WAY WIDTHS
STREET ROAD
CLASS
ROW
WIDTH (FT)
TRAVEL
LANES SIDEWALK
Airport Drive Arterial 66’ 2 striped Continuous buffered 5’ concrete sidewalk on west
side between White Street and Williston Road, 4’
landscaped asphalt sidewalk on portions of east
side adjacent to the Airport
Airport
Parkway
Arterial 66’ 2 striped Continuous buffered 5’ concrete sidewalk on west
side between White Street and Kirby Road
Patchen Road Collector 66’ 2 striped Continuous buffered 5’ concrete sidewalk on east
side between Kirby Road and Williston Road,
continuous buffered 5’ concrete sidewalk on west
side between Bluff Court and Williston Road
White Street Collector 50’ 2 striped Continuous buffered 5’ concrete sidewalk on
south side between Patchen Road and Airport
Drive, buffered 5’ concrete sidewalk on north side
between Airport Parkway and Chamberlin School
entrance
Kirby Road Local 50’ 2 unstriped Continuous buffered 5’ concrete sidewalk on
south side between Patchen Road and Airport
Parkway
Hanover Street Local 50’ 2 unstriped Buffered 5’ concrete sidewalk on south side
between Berkeley Street and Airport Parkway
Dumont
Avenue
Local 50’ 2 unstriped Buffered 5’ concrete sidewalk on south side
between Airport Parkway and White Street
PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES
As described above, the block sizes and formations vary greatly within the Chamberlin
Neighborhood, with many roads that loop from one street to another, but with dead-ends,
cul-de-sacs, and few cut-through paths. The shorter blocks are approximately 400 feet in
between intersections, which translates to roughly a two-minute walk. The longer block
edges tend to be those that run north-south, with many blocks averaging 700 feet to 900 feet
between intersections, or a four to five-minute walk.
Sidewalks
There are currently 27,345 feet, or 5.2 miles, of sidewalks within the Chamberlin
Neighborhood study area, primarily along the perimeter, including both sides of Patchen
Road, Williston Road, and Airport Drive. There is also a continuous 0.66-mile sidewalk
along the south side of White Street that connects Airport Drive and Patchen Road.
The Chamberlin School’s main entrance is served by the sidewalk on the south side of White
Street, as well as a short segment of sidewalk along the north side of White Street between
the driveway entrance and Airport Parkway. The rear entrance to the school is served by a
sidewalk on the south side of Hanover Street. Other sidewalks near the school include one
on the west side of Airport Parkway and one on the south side of Dumont Ave.
Few interior blocks within the neighborhood have sidewalks, although there is a cluster of
housing in the northwest corner of the study area on Kirby Road and Queensbury Road that
is served by sidewalks on one side. The eastern edge of Helen Avenue between Pine Tree
Terrace and the cul-de-sac also has a sidewalk, but there are no connecting pedestrian
facilities that link to it.
Recreation Paths
There are two recreational paths that bisect some of the larger blocks within the study area
(Figure 2-10). The longest is a 0.28-mile gravel path through the wooded Garvey property,
which runs between Williston Road and Lynn Avenue. There is also a 0.07-mile (360 feet)
path that connects from Hanover Street to Chamberlin School, allowing foot access to the
school from the north.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
22 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 2-10: SIDEWALKS AND RECREATION PATHS
Walkability
Nearly all residents in the Chamberlin Neighborhood are within a five-minute walk, or 0.25
miles, of a park or open space, although the character of the spaces differ widely (Figure
2-11). Improving these connections is an important aspect of neighborhood vitality.
A distance of 0.25 miles is often used as an acceptable walking distance in U.S. research
studies; although trips longer than 0.25 miles are common, peoples’ willingness to walk also
varies based on duration and purpose.
To understand the project area’s walkability, the “Walk Score” of the neighborhood was
calculated for five different locations (Figure 2-12). A property’s walkability score is based on
the walking distance from the property to dining and drinking options, groceries, shopping,
errands, parks, schools, and cultural and entertainment establishments.[1] The areas closer to
Patchen Road and Williston Road had notably higher Walk Scores than locations closer to
the Airport and in the northern sections of the study area. This is due to the higher
concentration of dining, groceries, shopping, errands, and schools for the areas on the
western side of the study area.
In calculating the walk score, amenities within a 5-minute walk (0.25 mile) are given
maximum points. A decay function is used to give points to more distance amenities, with
no points given after a 30 minute walk (1.5 miles).[2]
In the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) 2012 report on the Economic Impact of
Bicycling and Walking in Vermont, the effects of walkability on real estate values was
estimated for houses in Vermont. Results suggest that walkability has a significant positive
correlation on property values.
Overall, the neighborhood has average pedestrian connections within it, and outside of it,
connecting to other area. Improving these connections is an important aspect of
neighborhood vitality.
FIGURE 2-11: 0.25 MILE/5-MINUTE WALKING RADIUS FROM OPEN SPACES
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
24 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 2-12: WALKSCORES
TRANSIT
Currently (as of June 2016), the Chamberlin Neighborhood is accessible by three CCTAiv
bus transit lines: the 1 Williston, the 1V Williston Village, and the 12 South Burlington
Circulator. No resident within the neighborhood is further than a 20-minute walk from the
nearest bus stop. The 1 and 1V run along Williston Road, making stops at nearly every block
between Patchen Road and Kennedy Drive. The 12 circulates South Burlington, with key
stops at the Burlington Airport, Chamberlin School, and the corner of Hinesburg Road and
Williston Road.
• The 1 and 1V Williston Bus runs between 6:15 AM to 12:05 AM Monday through
Friday, 6:30 AM to 12:05 AM on Saturday; and 8:00 AM to 7:05 PM on Sundays.
The stops along Williston Road and Kennedy Drive have weekday headways every
15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during off-peak hours, Saturday
headways of 30 minutes, and Sunday headways of one hour and 15 minutes.
• The 12 runs between 6:25 AM and 9:20 PM with 30 minute headways on weekdays
and Saturday, and with hour and 15 minute headways on Sundays between 8:45 AM
and 7:35 PM.
There currently are no bus shelters serving any of the bus stops in or near the project area
and CCTA has no immediate plans for new shelter installations. Shelter placement decisions
are generally driven by ridership, and, according to CCTA, the bus stop locations in and
around the Chamberlin Neighborhood do not currently meet the ridership threshold for
shelter installation.
FIGURE 2-13: CCTA TRANSIT
TRAFFIC OPERATIONS
Traffic operations relate to vehicle congestion during peak hours. The study examined peak
hour vehicle delays at the following ten intersections:
• Patchen Road/Kirby Road
• Airport Parkway/Kirby Road
• Patchen Road/Richard Terrace
• Airport Parkway/Hanover Street and Dumont Avenue
• White Street/Patchen Road
• White Street/Airport Parkway
• White Street/Airport Drive
• US 2/White Street and Midas Drive
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
26 June 30, 2016
• US/Patchen Road and VT 116
• US 2/Kennedy Drive
Vehicle delays were examined assuming Spring 2015 traffic conditions. A detailed
description of the elements that contribute to these traffic volumes is presented below.
FIGURE 2-14: 10 STUDY INTERSECTIONS
Background Traffic Volumes and Adjustments
Recent VTrans and CCRPC turning movement count data were assembled for the study area
intersections (all intersections were counted between 2012 and 2014).
Following VTrans traffic study guidelines, raw peak hour traffic volumes were adjusted to
represent the design hour volume (DHV)v in 2015 using two adjustment factors: 1. Design hour adjustment factors are based on VTrans permanent count station
P6D040, which is located along US 7 in Colchester, VT. The 2013 DHV at this
station was compared to the peak hour volumes on the date of the turning
movement count to formulate DHV adjustments. DHV adjustments increased raw
count volumes by up to 6% at the study intersections.
2. An annual adjustment factor, which represents general background traffic growth, is
based on historic count data at VTrans permanent count station P6D040, as
presented in the 2013 VTrans Red Book. Traffic volumes on US 7 are projected to
increase by 16% over 20 years from 2013 to 2033.
Scenario Volume Graphics
Figure 2-15 and Figure 2-16 present estimated Spring 2015 traffic volumes at the study area
intersections. The traffic volumes represent the raw count volumes adjusted to design hour
conditions.
FIGURE 2-15: 2015 AM PEAK HOUR, SPRING 2015
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
28 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 2-16: 2015 PM PEAK HOUR, SPRING 2015
Congestion Analysis
Level-of-service (LOS) is a qualitative measure describing the operating conditions as
perceived by motorists driving in a traffic stream. LOS is calculated using the procedures
outlined in the 2000 and 2010 Highway Capacity Manuals.vi In addition to traffic volumes,
key inputs include the number of lanes at each intersection, traffic control type (signalized or
unsignalized), and the traffic signal timing plans.
The 2010 Highway Capacity Manual defines six qualitative grades to describe the level of
service at an intersection. Level-of-Service is based on the average control delay per vehicle.
Figure 2-17 shows the various LOS grades and descriptions for signalized and unsignalized
intersections.
FIGURE 2-17: LEVEL-OF-SERVICE CRITERIA FOR SIGNALIZED AND UNSIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS
UNSIGNALIZED SIGNALIZED
LOS CHARACTERISTICS TOTAL DELAY (SEC) TOTAL DELAY (SEC)
A Little or no delay ≤ 10.0 ≤ 10.0
B Short delays 10.1-15.0 10.1-20.0
C Average delays 15.1-25.0 20.1-35.0
D Long delays 25.1-35.0 35.1-55.0
E Very long delays 35.1-50.0 55.1-80.0
F Extreme delays > 50.0 > 80.0
The delay thresholds for LOS at signalized and unsignalized intersections differ because of
the driver’s expectations of the operating efficiency for the respective traffic control
conditions. According to HCM procedures, an overall LOS cannot be calculated for two-
way stop-controlled intersections because not all movements experience delay. In signalized
and all-way stop-controlled intersections, all movements experience delay and an overall
LOS can be calculated.
The VTrans policy on level of service for Signalized and All-Way Stop Intersections is:
• Overall LOS C should be maintained for state-maintained highways and other streets
accessing the state’s facilities.
• Reduced LOS may be acceptable on a case-by-case basis when considering, at
minimum, current and future traffic volumes, delays, volume to capacity ratios, crash
rates, and negative impacts as a result of improvement necessary to achieve LOS C.
The VTrans policy on level of service for Two-Way and One-Way Stop Intersections is:
LOS D should be maintained for side roads with volumes exceeding 100 vehicles/hour for a
single lane approach (150 vehicles/hour for a two-lane approach) at two-way stop-controlled
intersections. No LOS criteria are in effect for volumes less than these volume thresholds.
Level-of-Service Results
The Highway Capacity Manual congestion reports within Synchro (v8), a traffic analysis
software package from Trafficware, routinely relied upon by transportation engineering
professionals, were used to assess traffic congestion at the study intersections.
All stop-controlled intersections operate at LOS C or better on all approaches during both
the AM and PM peak hours. The four signalized intersections operate at an overall LOS C
or better with the exception of:
• The US 2/VT 116 and Patchen Road intersection, which operates at an overall LOS
D during both the AM and PM peak hours.
• The US 2/Kennedy Drive and Airport Drive intersection, which operates at an
overall LOS D during the PM peak hour.
Figure 2-18 presents the LOS results during the weekday AM and PM peak hours.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
30 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 2-18: PEAK HOUR LOS RESULTS
Generally, congestion on the streets in the study area is at acceptable levels when compared
to state standards. However, community members consistently raised issues of high traffic
volumes and speeds, particularly on White Street, Kirby Road, and Airport Parkway. Each of
these streets provide access to traffic traveling through the neighborhood from points north
and south.
2.3 | NOISE CONDITION ASSESSMENT
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implements Federal Aviation Regulation, Part
150, Airport Noise Compatibility Planning (FAR Part 150). This Federal regulation guides
and controls planning for aviation noise compatibility on and proximate to airports. Part 150
describes the procedures and standards for preparing a Noise Exposure Map (NEM) and
an Airport Noise Compatibility Program (NCP).
In the late 1980s, the BIA prepared its first FAR Part 150 Noise Study. This led to the
creation of a Noise Exposure Map showing what areas would be exposed to a yearly day-
night average sound level (dnl) of 65 decibels (dB)vii, which is considered a noise level that is
incompatible with residential land use. BIA’s NEM has been updated several times since its
first one was published in 1990. The most recent update was prepared in October 2015, and
the previous version occurred in 2006.
The intent of a Noise Compatibility Program is to provide a plan to mitigate noise impacts
to the areas surrounding airports while still maintaining airport access, capacity, and
efficiency.
Upon submittal of a Noise Exposure Map and Noise Compatibility Program to the FAA,
and subsequent review and approval, an airport may initiate two types of noise abatement
activities:
1) Undertake noise insulation programs, in which structures are retrofitted to reduce
indoor noise exposure; or
2) Noise acquisition programs, in which parcels with noise-sensitive uses are purchased
on a purely voluntary basis from willing sellers, by the airport.
To date, BIA has primarily pursued the second of these two activities, purchasing
approximately 120 properties from willing landowners whose homes are located within the
65dnl line, as established by the 2006 Noise Exposure Map. Within the context of the
Chamberlin Neighborhood study, these properties are referred to as the “Acquisition Land”
(Figure 2-19). Of note is that the City of South Burlington still owns the streets that formerly
served the acquired properties.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
32 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 2-19: ACQUISITION LAND
To date, re-use of acquired property has consisted of:
• Rezoning and use of five parcels along Airport Drive Extension for airport-related
parking and support.
• The lease of 2.1 acres of land at the eastern end of Kirby Road to the City of South
Burlington for use as the Community Dog Park (Figure 2-21); and
• Installation of a 150’ long “Living Wall” on two parcels across from the Airport
Parking Garage where homes had been removed, which is being evaluated to
determine its effectiveness in mitigating noise experienced by abutting properties
(Figure 2-22).
All other acquired properties are, at the time of the writing of this report, utilized as airport
buffer land.
FIGURE 2-20: CELL PHONE LOT ON FORMER RESIDENTIAL PARCELS
FIGURE 2-21: COMMUNITY DOG PARK
FIGURE 2-22: LIVING WALL
NOISE LAND INVENTORY AND RE-USE PLAN
Planning for the Acquisition Land occurs in two main ways. First, BIA has a long-term
Master Plan, “Vision 2030,” which sets forth potential uses on the acquired properties based
on projections of airport passenger and commercial activity. Second, because the Airport
received grant funds under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for acquisition of
incompatible land uses, it is required to prepare a Noise Land Inventory and Re-Use Plan
every 5 years.
The Re-Use plan identifies the proposed disposal or retention of all acquired noise land to
date. An airport must dispose of unneeded noise land by market sale where there is no
current or future airport use or if the land is not otherwise necessary for noise buffer. FAA
must review the Re-Use Plan and accept it if the proposed disposal or retention of the noise
land parcels meet applicable criteria. FAA approval of an Airport’s Re-Use Plan authorizes
the airport to convert the land to a use that is compatible with airport operations, subject to
local land use regulation.
BIA issued is first Re-Use Plan in 2009, where they proposed to retain most of the acquired
noise land for noise buffering and for airport compatible redevelopment. As of the writing
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
34 June 30, 2016
of this report, BIA is engaged in its second Five-Year Re-Use Plan, which is estimated for
completion in late 2016.
The parcels acquired by the Airport represent a challenge and an opportunity for the
Chamberlin Neighborhood. While the property has been taken out of residential use, only a
handful of sites along Airport Drive Extension have been re-zoned to allow Airport-related
uses. The remaining land retains its residential zoning designation, and has not been applied
for any specific future land use, either by the City or the Airport, through a formal Site Plan
Review application or other formal use change initiative. At this time, only those uses
permissible in the R4 district are allowed unless and until the City approves a new zoning
classification. However, the residential uses allowed under R4 zoning are specifically
prohibited under FAR Part 150, as they are incompatible with airport use.
While consistent with federal guidelines for airport-related planning, residential property
acquisition and demolition has led to concerns among Chamberlin Neighborhood residents
about the neighborhood’s aesthetic quality, safety, stability, and housing affordability, as well
as concerns about communication and transparency between BIA and the Neighborhood.
2.4 | RELEVANT PLANS AND STUDIES TO THE CHAMBERLIN
NEIGHBORHOOD
There are several plans and studies that have been completed or are ongoing that are
relevant to the Chamberlin Neighborhood study. The Consultants reviewed several of the
notable transportation projects in and adjacent to the study area as part of the existing
conditions report. These include:
• Airport Drive/Airport Parkway Improvements (CCRPC, 2005)
• Vermont Route 15 Bicycle & Pedestrian Scoping Report (CCRPC, 2012)
• Chamberlin Safe Routes to School, School Travel Plan (South Burlington, 2013)
• South Burlington Schools Master Planning and Visioning Process (South Burlington,
2015)
• Williston Road Transportation Study (Phase I Initial Technical Evaluation, CCRPC,
2015)
• Garden Street Project (Definition Report, South Burlington, 2015)
• Airport Parkway Pedestrian and Bicycle Scoping Study (South Burlington, 2015)
FIGURE 2-23: PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
36 June 30, 2016
Airport Drive/Airport Parkway Improvements (Scoping Study, CCRPC,
2005)
http://www.ccrpcvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Airport-Drive-Airport-Parkway-
Improvements-Scoping-Study.pdf
This scoping report examined the need for improving the existing Airport Drive/Airport
Parkway/Lime Kiln Road corridor, as well as analyzed alternative strategies for creating a
link from Airport Drive/White Street northward to Airport Parkway. The purpose was to
reduce traffic impacts on the local neighborhood, provide pedestrian and bicycle
connections, and improve the link from US 2 to VT 15, while providing Airport Access with
adequate capacity.
At the time this scoping study was completed in 2005, the Airport was to begin an update to
their Master Plan, and their property acquisition program under FAR Part 150 was in a very
early phase. The scoping study evaluated the impact of a connection, acknowledging that the
actual alignment could change subject to future master planning and property acquisition by
the Airport.
The preferred alternative was a connector from Airport Drive to Airport Parkway, because it
addressed all of the project’s purpose and needs and garnered the most support by the public
who attended the Alternatives Meeting held on June 10, 2004.
FIGURE 2-24: AIRPORT DRIVE/AIRPORT PARKWAY IMPROVEMENTS (2005)
Vermont Route 15 Bicycle & Pedestrian Scoping Report (CCRPC, 2012)
http://www.ccrpcvt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/VT15PathFinal_20130430.pdf
This study was an update of earlier recommendations for increasing bicycling and walking
mobility in the Vermont Route 15 (VT-15) corridor between the West Street Extension
intersection to the east and Lime Kiln Road to the west. Lime Kiln Road connects VT-15 in
Colchester to Airport Parkway in South Burlington. The study segment passes through
Winooski, Colchester, Essex, and Essex Junction.
The recommended alignment consists primarily of a shared use path adjacent to VT-15.
FIGURE 2-25: RECOMMENDED SHARED USE PATH ALIGNMENT ON VT-15 (2012)
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
38 June 30, 2016
Chamberlin School Safe Routes to School (School Travel Plan, South
Burlington, 2013)
http://saferoutes.vermont.gov/sites/saferoutes/files/Chamberlin%20STP%202013.pdf
Chamberlin School serves grades K through 5. For the 2014/2015 school year, the
Chamberlin School had a total enrollment of 226 students. Students who live further than
0.6 miles from the school are offered bus service. Students of any grade are allowed to bike
to school with parental permission, where the helmet policy is strictly enforced and bike
racks are available adjacent to the school playground area. Each spring, the school offers
education through its “Bicycle Skills Rodeo.”
Due to gaps in the pedestrian infrastructure, high traffic volumes, speeding, and other
perceived dangers, many students who live within walking or bicycling distance are riding the
bus or being driven to and from school. From a February 2013 survey, speed of traffic,
amount of traffic, and distance were the top reasons why parents do not let children walk or
bike to school, although 42% of respondents lived within 0.5 mile of the school.
Physical improvements recommended from the study included:
• Adding lighting, signage, improving sight lines, and adding a stop sign and stop bar
near the school
• Add more sidewalks
• Add crosswalk at White Street and Patchen Road
• Add in-street pedestrian signals
• Reduce lane widths and add a bike stripe on Airport Parkway
• Twice per year painting and stenciling the crosswalk on White Street, ladder-style
FIGURE 2-26: CHAMBERLIN SCHOOL PREFERRED WALKING AND BICYCLING ROUTES (2013)
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
40 June 30, 2016
South Burlington Schools Master Planning and Visioning Process (South
Burlington, 2015)
http://www.sburl.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B8521D390-0442-4D2C-
B47A-157A39E5C8E2%7D
The City and the South Burlington School District began the master planning and visioning
process in November 2014. This process included discussion of how to best move forward
with school configuration, given growing pressures on the school, city facilities, and its
infrastructure over the past several years. Part of the analysis included understanding civic
facility needs, demographics, enrollment trends, as well as current resources, locations, and
consideration of consolidation with other City schools.
As mentioned previously, this process has resulted in a set of options to the South
Burlington Steering Committee issued on June 3, 2015. With regard to the Chamberlin
School, one option is to “(d)esignate…the Chamberlin School for other uses”. Other uses
suggested in their report include community and civic uses such as Parks & Recreation
space, Library, and Senior Center.
Williston Road Transportation Study (Initial Technical Evaluation, CCRPC,
2015)
http://www.ccrpcvt.org/our-work/transportation/current-projects/corridors-
circulation/williston-road-transportation-network-study
The CCRPC is currently conducting a study to understand and evaluate near and long term
strategies for Williston Road between Dorset Street and Hinesburg Road, given the future
land use objectives of the City Center development, and the City’s multi-modal vision of a
Walkable Community. Key concepts proposed to the Planning Commission, which are
relevant to the Chamberlin Neighborhood study, include:
• Connector road north of the corridor from Dorset Street to Patchen Road, in the
vicinity of Jaycee Park
• New Garden Street intersection at the White Street/Williston Road intersection
• Bike lanes along Williston Road, with two through travel lanes
• Upgraded and widened sidewalks
• Considerations for Bus Signal Preemption
FIGURE 2-27: WILLISTON ROAD PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS (2015)
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
42 June 30, 2016
Garden Street Project (Definition Report, South Burlington, 2015)
http://www.sburl.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7BB8F12E38-B205-476F-
83C4-4E3922433644%7D
The City of South Burlington is designing Garden Street, a new downtown street within its
City Center area that will ultimately connect Dorset Street to Williston Road, with
improvements at the White Street/Williston Road and Hinesburg Road/Patchen Road
intersections. Figure 2-27 shows the alignment of the proposed Garden Street. Garden
Street and White Street will be “support streets”, Hinesburg Road and Patchen Road will be
“neighborhood streets”, and Williston Road will be a “commercial street”. The alternatives
for the White Street, Patchen Road, and Williston Road intersections will need to be factored
into the traffic considerations in the Chamberlin Neighborhood study.
FIGURE 2-28: GARDEN STREET ALIGNMENT (2015)
Airport Parkway Pedestrian and Bicycle Scoping Study (South Burlington,
2015)
The City of South Burlington is in the process of reviewing design plans for a sidewalk and
bike lanes on Airport Parkway between Kirby Road and Lime Kiln Road. This improvement
would help improve regional bicycle and pedestrian connectivity by connecting South
Burlington (via the Chamberlin Neighborhood) to Vermont Route 15, where bicycle and
pedestrian improvements are in the planning stages (see Vermont Route 15 Bicycle &
Pedestrian Scoping Report, above).
FIGURE 2-29: AIRPORT PARKWAY DRAFT PLANS (JANUARY 2016)
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
44 June 30, 2016
3.0 DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVES
In January 2016, the Consultants, CNAPC members, and planning staff from South
Burlington and the CCRPC began to develop an Implementation Plan to meet the project
objectives. Seven CNAPC meetings and two community meetings were held from January to
June 2016 to present and discuss a variety of transportation improvements, civic
improvements, and institutional arrangements1 that could be pursued for the Neighborhood.
For each of the planning issues – transportation improvements, civic improvements, and
institutional arrangements – the Consultants developed concepts that were initially reviewed
by the CNAPC, tested through the public process, and finalized through discussion and
review by the CNAPC. This iterative process helped refine the options, evaluate their
feasibility, and assign priorities, ultimately leading to an Implementation Plan, presented later
in this report.
In general, each issue area – transportation, civic improvements, institutional arrangements --
was the focus of two CNAPC meetings. The first meeting was a presentation of preliminary
suggestions, and the second was a presentation of refined concepts. Formal feedback was
collected at these meetings and at the April 28 community meeting in the form of written
surveys. Each formal survey resulted in an approval rating, which translated “Yes”, “Maybe”,
and “No” answers to a percentage approval. Additional, more open-ended feedback was
collected during other CNAPC meetings and at the June 7 community meeting. A draft
Implementation Plan was presented at the May 26, 2016 CNAPC meeting, and a draft final
report and Implementation Plan was presented at the June 16, 2016 CNAPC meeting.
The following sections explain how each of the planning issues evolved over the six-month
period based on this feedback from the CNAPC and the public, and based on research and
recommendations from the Consultants.
Ahead of each suggestion is a green dot, a red dot, or a combination of the two to quickly
indicate whether or not that suggestion has been included in the Implementation Plan.
This suggestion is included in the Implementation Plan.
This suggestion is not included in the Implementation Plan.
Part of this suggestion is included in the Implementation Plan and part is not
included.
1 For the purposes of this project, the term “institutional arrangements” refers to formal means by
which the neighborhood can advocate for policies or improvements, including a mechanism for ongoing communication with BIA.
3.1 | TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
Out of the existing conditions assessment, initial brainstorming, and input from the first
community meeting, transportation improvements were organized into three categories:
1. Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity: Ensures that residents and visitors can
comfortably travel within, to, and from the neighborhood using non-motorized
means of transportation.
2. Street Improvements: Chiefly focused on traffic calming measures.
3. Airport Drive: Includes the realignment/reconstruction of Airport Drive itself and
transportation system enhancements associated with this action.
There were two CNAPC meetings devoted to transportation improvements that will be
referred to throughout this section of the report. The first, on February 18, 2016, was a
presentation of various concepts. The second, on April 13, 2016, was a presentation of the
same concepts, but with details of cost, location, and geometry, and not including concepts
that received low support from the February meeting. More feedback was obtained and
priorities were refined at a community meeting on April 28 and as part of other CNAPC
meetings.
The overall project schedule illustrating the meeting development process is shown in Figure
3-1.
FIGURE 3-1: CHAMBERLIN NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT SCHEDULE
Task/Deliverable
Project Website
CNAPC Meetings 28 18 16 13 11 26 16
Community Meetings 28 7
Development of Future Scenarios
Transportation Scenarios 1 2
Civic Enhancement Scenarios 1 2
Re-Use Land Study Coordination
Institutional Arrangements 1 2
Draft Final Neighborhood Plan
Final Neighborhood Plan
Work-in-Progress
date CNAPC Meeting
date Community Meeting
1 Improvement Concepts
2 Refined Concepts - Where, Who, How Much?
JuneAprilMayJanFebMarch
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
46 June 30, 2016
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY
Four bicycle/pedestrian connectivity improvements were suggested at the February 18
CNAPC meeting, and one improvement was first suggested by a member of the public at
the April 28 community meeting.
White Street Sidewalk
A sidewalk on the north side of White Street was suggested at the February CNAPC
meeting. There is currently a sidewalk on the south side of White Street between Patchen
Road and Airport Drive. Along the northerly sideline of White Street, however, only 300 feet
of sidewalk have been constructed connecting Airport Parkway to the Chamberlin School. A
north-side sidewalk from Patchen Road to the school had previously been recommended in
the City’s 2013 Safe Routes to School Plan. The Consultants proposed following through
with that recommendation and extending the sidewalk all the way to Airport Drive, rather
than stopping at the school.
FIGURE 3-2: WHITE STREET SIDEWALK
White Street Sidewalk (2013 Safe Routes to School Plan, SB)
Continuation of Safe
Routes to School Sidewalk
68% of the CNAPC approved of this recommendation. Those who did not support it or
were unsure of it commented that the sidewalk on the south side is sufficient, and the north-
side sidewalk is especially not needed if the school closes.
The idea was presented again at the April CNAPC meeting with more detail and
justification:
• Advantages:
o More convenient for pedestrians
o Accommodates bus stops on the north side of White Street
o If the school closes, it will hopefully be replaced by another neighborhood
asset
• Disadvantages:
o May impact some front-yard features
The sidewalk’s approval ratings at the end of the April CNAPC meeting and the April
community meeting were the same as the initial presentation. Comments were similar as
well.
Overland Paths
Because of the street layout of the neighborhood, connectivity from one street to another
and between streets and destinations is limited or otherwise inconveniently circuitous.
Overland paths - walking paths over private land of willing landowners - were proposed as
a solution to this problem.
Two illustrations of this problem are:
Example 1: Logwood Street to the open space between Mills Avenue and Victory
Drive. People living on Logwood Street, especially near the cul-de-sac, would need to travel
down Logwood Street, onto Airport Road, then Williston Road to reach the open space
(6/10 of a mile). If there was a path from Logwood Street through several yards to access
Mills Avenue, residents would have a much more direct route to this neighborhood
destination (potentially less than 1/10 of a mile).
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
48 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 3-3: WALKING DISTANCE EXAMPLE 1
Example 2: Berkeley Street to the Chamberlin School: This is an example of a de facto
overland path; although Berkeley Street is a dead end street for vehicles, residents can walk
from the end of the street onto school property rather than walking north, turning onto
Hanover Street, and accessing the school from that entrance.
FIGURE 3-4: WALKING DISTANCE EXAMPLE 2
These connections and other possible connections were suggested.
FIGURE 3-5: PROPOSED OVERLAND PATH LOCATIONS
This concept received a very high
approval score of 86% at the
February CNAPC meeting. CNAPC
members voted just for the concept,
not for specific locations, which must
be decided by residents directly
affected. Because of this support,
overland paths were expanded upon
at the April CNAPC meeting. The
Mad River Path was presented as an
example of overland paths in another
community in Vermont.
Overland paths received a lower
approval rating at the April CNAPC
meeting and community meeting
(67% and 71%, respectively). At the
April community meeting, a
participant suggested constructing a
boardwalk along Centennial Brook
Ravine between Patchen Road and
Airport Parkway, in the City open space off Duval Street.
The Mad River Path
The Mad River Path is a system of
continuous public pathways from Warren to
Moretown that provides access to working
forests and farms, commercial centers, open
spaces, and schools, pathing through both
public and private land. It is managed by the
Mad River Path Association, a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
50 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 3-6: PROPOSED LOCATION OF CENTENNIAL BROOK BOARDWALK
The CNAPC chose to include overland paths and a boardwalk in the Implementation Plan,
but ultimately, the decision to pursue these (in the suggested locations or in other locations)
is the responsibility of individual residents.
Crosswalks
Crosswalks were recommended at several key locations:
• On Patchen Road to connect to Jaycee Park
• On White Street
o At Maplewood Drive
o At Airport Parkway (to line up with the existing short sidewalk on the north
side of White Street)
o At Peterson Terrace
• On Williston Road. Williston Road currently does not have a crosswalk between
Patchen Road and Airport Drive, a length of almost one mile.
FIGURE 3-7: POTENTIAL CROSSWALK LOCATIONS
A crosswalk with a median and a pedestrian signal was recommended on Williston
Road because of the road’s high traffic volumes and high speeds. Because of the many
driveways and streets off of Williston Road, this type of crosswalk must be strategically
placed so that the median does not block left turn movements. Three locations were
evaluated for such a crosswalk and presented as options A, B, and C.
FIGURE 3-8: WILLISTON ROAD CROSSING OPTIONS
A
B
C
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
52 June 30, 2016
Feedback at the February meeting showed highest support for the crosswalk at Jaycee Park
and the crosswalk on White Street at Airport Parkway. While a crosswalk on Williston Road
was supported, there was no clear preference for one of the three possible locations.
At the April CNAPC meeting and community meeting, the Consultants recommended that
crosswalks be installed at Jaycee Park, at White Street/Airport Parkway, and on Williston
Road at location option C. This Williston Road crossing was chosen due to its proximity to
the recreational path near Mills Avenue and nearby businesses. While all crosswalks will have
ladder-style striping, the Williston Road crossing will also have advanced yield lines and
rectangular rapid flashing beacons. These crosswalks all received very high approval and
were included in the Implementation Plan.
FIGURE 3-9: RECTANGULAR RAPID FLASHING BEACON AND ADVANCED YIELD LINE EXAMPLES
Bicycle Accommodations
Bicycle accommodations were suggested at the February meeting, in the form of both on-
road bike lanes and protected bike lanes. These were recommended for White Street and
Patchen Road initially. Both of these streets have 30 feet paved widths, two lanes of travel,
and speed limits of 25 mph. Because of the characteristics, on-road bike lanes could be
added just by restriping the roads; instead of two 15-foot vehicle lanes, there would be two
10-foot vehicle lanes and two 5-foot bike lanes.
FIGURE 3-10: EXISTING CROSS-SECTION OF WHITE ST AND PATCHEN RD
FIGURE 3-11: CROSS-SECTION WITH ON-ROAD BIKE LANES
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
54 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 3-12: WILLISTON ROAD BIKE LANES
Protected bike lanes are a larger project, requiring moving the curb, adding a physical barrier,
and using more right-of-way than is currently being utilized, but this design is more inviting
to bicyclists of all ages and abilities.
FIGURE 3-13: POSSIBLE CROSS-SECTION WITH PROTECTED BIKE LANES (50-FOOT RIGHT OF WAY)
FIGURE 3-14: PROTECTED BIKE LANE DEMONSTRATION IN MONTPELIER
At the February CNAPC meeting, on-
road bike lanes received a 95% approval
rating, and protected bike lanes received
an 82% approval rating. Concerns for
protected bike lanes showed that people
seem to really like the idea but are
concerned about the money and space
associated with it.
At the April 13 CNAPC meeting, the
Consultants presented the CNAPC with
other possible bike lane locations
because of the high level of support for
the concept and to provide the
neighborhood with improved
connectivity to planned bicycle
accommodations nearby. Bike lanes were
suggested for Airport Parkway and
Hanover Street-Richard Terrace as a
connection to the planned bike lanes on
Airport Parkway between Kirby Road
and Lime Kiln Roadviii.
Because Richard Terrace has only 20 feet of paved width – too narrow for two vehicle lanes
and two bike lanes – Suggestion Lanes were proposed as a way to continue the bicycle
connection down Richard Terrace. Suggestion Lanes were one of the concepts presented at
the February meeting, receiving an approval rating of just 59%. Suggestion Lanes received
the same low approval at this April meeting, and this entire connection was considered to
already be low enough traffic that bicyclists can ride safely, so the bicycle connection on
Hanover Street / Richard Terrace was not included in the Implementation Plan.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
56 June 30, 2016
Also at the April 13
CNAPC meeting, a
member of the public
in attendance
recommended bike
lanes on Airport
Drive. It was agreed
that this
recommendation
would be added to the
list of
recommendations, as
the eventual
reconstruction of
Airport Drive, if it
occurs, would be many
years in the future.
An illustration of all
considered bike lanes,
as well as bike lanes
part of proposed nearby projects, are shown in Figure 3-14.
Suggestion Lanes
Suggestion Lanes give pedestrians and bicyclists priority on
the edges of narrow, low-traffic roads through the use of a
pair of dashed lines. The space in between the dashed lines
is wide enough for one vehicle, so vehicles are meant to
drive in the center of the road until an oncoming vehicle is
encountered, at which point both vehicles will move to the
right after yielding to any pedestrians and bicyclists. This
example from Hanover, New Hampshire, was shown to the
CNAPC.
FIGURE 3-15: ALL PROPOSED BIKE LANES
Bicycle accommodations on White Street, on Patchen Road, on Airport Drive, and on
Airport Parkway were all advanced to the Implementation Plan. Originally, bike lanes were a
short-term solution and protected bike lanes were a long-term solution, but over the course
of this process, considering all other priorities, the CNAPC decided not to advance
protected bike lanes.
Airport Parkway Sidewalk
One suggestion received at the April 28 community meeting was to put a sidewalk on the
northeast side of Airport Parkway. There is an existing sidewalk on the southwest side
between White Street and Kirby Road. The Consultants proposed a sidewalk on Airport
Parkway between White Street and Kirby Road at the May 11 CNAPC meeting but it did not
receive support. A major reason is that most of the land on the northeast side has been
acquired by BIA and is now vacant.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
58 June 30, 2016
Airport Parkway Sidewalk and Bike Lanes (Outside of Study Area)
Outside of the Study Area, the City and the CCRPC are currently working towards
implementing a sidewalk and bike lanes on Airport Parkway between Kirby Road and Lime
Kiln Road. This proposed design was noted at CNAPC meetings and included in this report
since it is immediately relevant to the bicycle and pedestrian network of the Chamberlin
Neighborhood.
FIGURE 3-16: PROPOSED AIRPORT PARKWAY IMPROVEMENT LOCATION NEAR STUDY AREA
STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Eleven street improvements were suggested at the February CNAPC meeting, one of which
was first suggested by a member of the public at a community meeting. Each improvement
is a form of traffic calming and/or placemaking.
Because the placemaking improvements (such as neighborhood welcome signs) are better
categorized as civic improvements and were refined in that context following the February
meeting, they are identified here but not expanded upon.
Radar Speed Signs
At the April community meeting, a suggestion was received from the public to put up a
radar speed sign on White Street to remind drivers that it is a 25 mph zone. This
suggestion was thereafter added to the list of suggestions, and it is one of only two street
improvements that were advanced to the Implementation Plan.
These electronic signs, either placed below a regular speed limit sign and solar-powered, or
as portable devices, show drivers their speed and start blinking when the speed crosses a
certain threshold. The City currently owns two portable radar speed signs that will be
periodically relocated to different streets around the municipality.
FIGURE 3-17: EXAMPLE OF A SOLAR RADAR SPEED SIGN
Medians and Pinch Points
Medians are short segments of oblong islands in the middle of a street, which restricts the
travel path of vehicles and causes them to slow down. This concept had an approval rating
of 68% at the February meeting.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
60 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 3-18: ILLUSTRATED MEDIAN ON VICTORY DRIVE
Pinch points are pairs of curb extensions placed across the street from each other to slow
traffic. Pinch points had a similar approval as medians, at 64%.
FIGURE 3-19: ILLUSTRATED PINCH POINTS ON VICTORY DRIVE
Pinch points and medians serve similar purposes and would be placed on similar types of
streets, so at the April meeting, two streets suitable for either measures were identified:
Victory Drive and Logwood Street. These were chosen due to their lack of existing traffic
calming measures and their likelihood of vehicles driving too fast. However, the CNAPC felt
that although the concept itself may be fine, neither are necessary in the suggested locations.
These ideas were not advanced past the April meeting.
FIGURE 3-20: PROPOSED MEDIAN / PINCH POINT LOCATIONS
Painted streets
Street murals at intersections emphasize the presence of a neighborhood, reduce traffic
speeds, and draw neighbors together. While several members of the CNAPC were very
enthusiastic about this idea, the overall approval rating was only 59% and not advanced
further. However, because street murals would be a neighbor-led project, there is always the
possibility of an enthusiastic group of neighbors coming together in the future to make this
happen.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
62 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 3-21: PAINTED STREETS IN PORTLAND, OR
Pedestrian Refuge Islands
Refuge islands make intersections safer for pedestrians by allowing them to cross one
direction of travel at a time. They also slow down motorized traffic and provide an
opportunity for landscaping. A refuge island was suggested at the intersection of Kirby Road
and Airport Parkway, where the existing crosswalk is 70 feet wide.
FIGURE 3-22: ILLUSTRATION OF REFUGE ISLAND AT INTERSECTION OF AIRPORT PKWY AND KIRBY RD
The CNAPC had a 91% approval rating for this idea after the February meeting, and the
April meeting resulted in a lower rating (but still relatively high) of 75%. However, this
ultimately was recognized by the CNAPC to not be a crucial change in the neighborhood
and it was not included in the Implementation Plan. The Consultants determined that no
other locations within the study area were suitable for refuge islands.
Curb Radii Reduction
At the February meeting, the Consultants used the corner of White Street and Maplewood
Drive as a possible location where the curb radius could be tightened. This idea received a
77% approval rating at the February CNAPC meeting and a 67% rating at the April meeting.
This idea was eventually removed from the list of priorities. The Consultants determined
that no other locations within the study area were suitable for tighter curb radii.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
64 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 3-23: ILLUSTRATION OF CURB RADIUS REDUCTION AT INTERSECTION OF WHITE ST AND COTTAGE GROVE AVE
Whimsical Crosswalks
Communities across the country are incorporating colors and patterns into their crosswalks
to emphasize pedestrian priority and to contribute to and celebrate neighborhood identity.
Several examples were given.
FIGURE 3-24: RAINBOW CROSSWALK IN SAN FRANCISCO, CA
FIGURE 3-25: PATTERNED CROSSWALK IN THE ARTS DISTRICT OF BURLINGTON, VT
This concept received an approval rating of 82% at the February meeting and a lower rating
of 58% at the April CNAPC meeting. One concern was that these would be slippery for
motorcyclists and bicyclists when wet. These were not discussed at the April community
meeting but were presented at the June community meeting with no stated disapproval.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
66 June 30, 2016
Are Colored/Patterned Crosswalks Safe?
One concern with whimsical crosswalks was whether they are compliant with national
traffic safety standards. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
states in Section 3G.01, Paragraph 6:
Colored pavement located between crosswalk lines should not use colors or
patterns that degrade the contrast of white crosswalk lines.
This suggests that crosswalks must have white lines and the space in between those
lines should not be filled with a distracting color or pattern.
Interpretation Letter 3(09)-8(I) - Colored Pavement Treatment in Crosswalks was
written by the Federal Highway Administration in response to an email from the traffic
department of Buffalo, NY requesting an official interpretation of the MUTCD
regarding a proposed colored crosswalk design in Buffalo. It states:
The proposed colored pavement treatment in Buffalo consists of yellow, white,
beige, green, and gray colored "jigsaw-puzzle" pieces that are fit together
within the area bounded by the white transverse lines that establish the
crosswalk… It is our Official Interpretation that the proposed treatment in
Buffalo would degrade the contrast of the white crosswalk lines and should not
be used.
…
It is our understanding that the Buffalo treatment is designed to be an artistic
and aesthetic enhancement to the neighborhood. Even though it is non-
retroreflective, its use in areas with street lighting means that it will be
prominently visible to road users both day and night and it has a significant
potential to distract road users and thereby reduce safety. Also, it should be
noted that Section 3B.18 of the MUTCD prescribes that only the uniform use of
diagonal or longitudinal white bars in the crosswalk area is allowed to perform
the function of adding conspicuity to a crosswalk.
To recognize the safety reasons for the MUTCD statement and the Interpretation Letter,
but to also not rule out artistic crosswalks, the Consultants recommends using only white
paint but in a creative way.
Locations for whimsical crosswalks were not determined, but one suggestion is at
Chamberlin School, where there is an existing crosswalk. The school is at the center of the
neighborhood and therefore an ideal location to celebrate the neighborhood, and a
crosswalk would not get worn out here as quickly as on Patchen Road, where there is more
traffic, yet it is a street used enough that most Chamberlin residents would drive, bike, or
walk near it.
This concept advanced and is part of the Implementation Plan.
Mini roundabouts
Formally called neighborhood traffic circles, these intersection devices slow down traffic and
create an opportunity for landscaping and public involvement. These received an approval
score of 50% at the February CNAPC meeting and were not advanced.
FIGURE 3-26: MINI ROUNDABOUT ON BLODGETT STREET, BURLINGTON, VT
Recategorized under Civic Improvements after first being introduced
with transportation suggestions:
• Neighborhood welcome signs
• Lamp post banners
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
68 June 30, 2016
• Planting strips and front yard gardens
• Bike racks
• Public art
AIRPORT DRIVE
Because visitors must use Airport Drive to access the Burlington International Airport,
Airport Drive and the network of streets adjacent to it is an important link in the
Chamberlin Neighborhood and a key piece of this study. As this study has progressed, the
project team has worked to clarify what is already planned (and not planned) for Airport
Drive, what kind of neighborhood amenities could be allowed on Airport property in the
future, what a realignment could/should look like, and when a realignment might happen.
Major changes to Airport Drive will likely only happen in the long term (>8 years). There are
no confirmed plans as of the writing of this report, but the project team and the City has
described out a vision for this street with the knowledge that is available now.
At the February CNAPC meeting, the proposed Airport Drive realignment from the
Airport’s 2009 Re-Use Plan was presented, though formal feedback was not obtained.
FIGURE 3-27: PROPOSED AIRPORT DRIVE REALIGNMENT (BIA 2009 RE-USE PLAN)
Street Reconfigurations
Also at the February meeting, possible street closing scenarios were shown for the short
term - where Airport Drive stays as is - and for the long term - in the event that Airport
Drive is reconstructed. The intent of closing streets off to Airport Drive is to reduce cut-
through traffic through the Chamberlin Neighborhood of people from outside the
neighborhood driving to the Airport.
In all short-term street reconfigurations, White Street still connects to Airport Drive,
Maryland Street and Ledoux Street do not, and several scenarios are offered for Elizabeth
and Patrick Street:
• Option 1: Elizabeth and Patrick Streets are both closed to Airport Drive.
• Option 2 and 3: Elizabeth Street or Patrick Street is closed.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
70 June 30, 2016
• Option 4: Elizabeth and Patrick Streets are a one-way pair.
• Option 5: Elizabeth and Patrick Streets are closed to Airport Drive but connected
to each other with a connection parallel to Airport Drive, over the Acquisition
Land.
• Option 6: Elizabeth and Patrick Streets connect to each other (as in Option 5) but
have a joint connection to Airport Drive.
The CNAPC mostly did not support these options, but there was somewhat higher interest
in Option 4 and Option 6. Based on feedback, people do want less traffic on Elizabeth and
Patrick Streets but do not want these to be completely closed off to Airport Drive.
These two options were presented at the April CNAPC meeting and the April community
meeting with the recommendation that Option 4 be implemented with one-way signs; it is
easy, inexpensive, and can be considered a trial. If it does not work the signs can be removed
at no cost. The joint connection involves building a new road segment and could be a
medium-term solution.
Ultimately, because of a neutral to low approval of these reconfigurations and skepticism
that they would make a noticeable difference, these suggestions were not advanced after the
April meetings.
Two long-term scenarios, assuming Airport Drive is realigned according to the 2009 Re-
Use Plan design, were also presented at February’s meeting:
• Option 1 (the Airport’s plan): White Street, Maryland Street, Ledoux Street, and
Elizabeth and Patrick Streets would all be closed to Airport Drive.
• Option 2: The same configuration as Option 1 except that White Street would be
open to Airport Drive.
CNAPC members felt strongly that White Street should stay open to Airport Drive, and
therefore approval ratings for Long-Term Options 1 and 2 were 32% and 86%, respectively.
Airport Drive Realignment
On March 24, the Airport held a presentation of its updated Re-Use Plan, in progress at the
time. In that presentation, the Airport 2030 Vision alignment and an Alternate
Development Scenario were shown.
The 2030 Vision alignment was presented at the April community meeting and received a
low approval rating (47%).
FIGURE 3-28: BIA 2030 VISION
The Alternate Development Scenario realignment (Figure 3-27) was presented at the May 11
CNAPC meeting and at the June 7 community meeting and did not receive any criticisms.
FIGURE 3-29: PROPOSED AIRPORT DRIVE REALIGNMENT (BIA 2016 RE-USE PLAN)
The City supports a reconstruction of Airport Drive that connects to Airport Parkway that
consists of the following characteristics:
• Consists of a two-lane roadway with a design following Complete Streets principles
• Includes a 10-foot recreation path and sidewalk
• Has adequate separation from the Chamberlin Neighborhood for buffering of
traffic noise
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
72 June 30, 2016
• Includes attractive spaces for public enjoyment
• Includes continued links of White Street and Richard Terrace onto Airport Parkway
The realignment of Airport Drive, including the characteristics supported by the City, is
included in the Implementation Plan.
3.2 | CIVIC IMPROVEMENTS
Civic Improvements discussed with the CNAPC and at the Community Meetings fell into
four categories:
1. Civic Enhancements: Streetscape and other public realm improvements (e.g.,
welcome signs and street lights) that create a more attractive neighborhood and help
to establish a stronger neighborhood identity
2. Front Yards and Public Rights of Way: (1) Use of the public right of way on
residential streets not being used for the roadway and (2) zoning changes to allow
porches within the private front yard setback
3. Enhancements to Mills Avenue and Duval Trails: Introduction of amenities to
these trails to add interest and increase use
4. Use of the Airport Acquisition Land: Creating resources/amenities within the
acquisition land that serve airport patrons and employees as well as neighborhood
residents
There were three CNAPC meetings that addressed civic improvements that will be referred
to in this section of this report: February 18, March 16, and May 11. There was also a
community meeting on April 28 where civic improvements were discussed and feedback was
gathered.
The February 18 meeting primarily addressed transportation improvements, but several civic
improvements were introduced as well. The March 16 meeting, the first CNAPC meeting
with a primary focus on civic improvements, was a presentation of preliminary suggestions.
The May 11 meeting was a presentation of refined improvements.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
74 June 30, 2016
CIVIC ENHANCEMENTS
Neighborhood Welcome Signs and Banners
The idea of gateway/welcome signs and banners was introduced at the February 18
CNAPC meeting as a way of helping to create an identity for the neighborhood. Welcome
signs could be located at key entry points into the neighborhood, while banners would be
hung from lamp posts along major streets. Photographs were used to illustrate examples of
signs and banners from other locations. Meeting attendees had a positive response to this
idea (95% approval rating for signs and 82% approval rating for banners). Further examples
were shown at the March 16 CNAPC meeting, though welcome signs and banners were not
included on the response sheet at that meeting.
FIGURE 3-30: NEIGHBORHOOD GATEWAY SIGN EXAMPLES
Gateway signs were advanced to the Implementation Plan, but banners were not for several
reasons. Banners need to be affixed to poles (typically light poles), but there are no light
poles on most of the streets. And, banners are not typically found on residential streets.
Pedestrian Scale Lighting
The installation of pedestrian scale street lights was introduced as a way to make
residential streets safer and more attractive, and to encourage walking and biking.
Conversations with Public Works director/City Engineer Justin Rabidoux indicated that the
City would support the decision by a neighborhood to install pedestrian-scale street lights
pending funding availability. He recommended using 14-foot LED lights.
Street lights were presented as an option at the March 16 CNAPC meeting. CNAPC
members commented that existing residential streets are very dark and do not always feel
safe at night and gave the idea a favorable rating of 83%. Adding in the votes from the Non-
CNAPC members at the meeting brought the favorable rating down to 65%. Some concern
regarding light pollution was expressed.
The installation of street lights was shown at the May 11, 2016 Community Meeting and
received a favorable rating of 80%, although there was some concern expressed that street
lights without curbs and sidewalks would seem out of place.
FIGURE 3-31: EXISTING FRONT YARDS WITH PORCHES AND 18' TALL STREET LIGHTS INSTALLED AT 60' ON CENTER
FIGURE 3-32: EXISTING FRONT YARDS WITH PORCHES AND 14' TALL STREET LIGHTS INSTALLED AT 40' ON CENTER
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
76 June 30, 2016
FRONT YARDS AND PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY
Front Porch Zoning
Front porches provide an added amenity to a house and help to foster interaction between
neighbors. An interest in the construction of front porches was raised by residents early in
this project. The existing residential zoning requires a 30’ front setback and most houses are
built to that setback line. Neighborhood homeowners wanting to add a front porch are
required to apply for a setback waiver, which can be a long process and is not always
successful.
The presentation at the March 16 CNAPC meeting introduced the idea of amending the
existing zoning to allow porches within the 30’ front setback zone and included graphics
showing that with porches between 6 and 12 feet in depth, sunlight is still able to reach the
front windows of the house. Cross sections were developed to illustrate the introduction of
front porches of 6 and 12 feet in depth on existing streets, and photographs illustrating
porches of different sizes and both covered and uncovered. The favorability response from
CNAPC members was 100%. Adding in the votes from the Non-CNAPC members at the
meeting brought the favorable rating down to 82%.
At the April 28 Community Meeting, attendees were shown the same illustrations and the
favorability rating for a zoning change was 88%. Attendees commented that porches
promote community by allowing neighbors to get to know each other, feel connected and
support each other in times of need. Others commented that such a change would have zero
cost to the City and would have a high positive impact on the community.
Front porch zoning was strongly supported at the May 11 CNAPC meeting, although one
member was concerned that residents would use their porch to store junk. Committee
members commented that the revised zoning should include a definition of a porch to
ensure that any porches constructed within the front yard setback could not be enclosed at a
later date.
FIGURE 3-33: EXAMPLES OF SMALL COVERED PORCHES
FIGURE 3-34: EXAMPLES OF COVERED PORCHES
FIGURE 3-35: EXAMPLES OF PARTIALLY COVERED PORCHES
FIGURE 3-36: EXAMPLES OF UNCOVERED PORCHES
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
78 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 3-37: CROSS-SECTION OF PORCHES WITH SUNLIGHT PATH
FIGURE 3-38: EXISTING FRONT YARDS
FIGURE 3-39: FRONT YARDS WITH 6' AND 12' PORCHES
FIGURE 3-40: TYPICAL EXISTING STREET CROSS-SECTIONS
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
80 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 3-41: STREET CROSS-SECTIONS WITH PORCHES
Landscaping in the Public Right of Way
The existing public right of way on residential streets is 50’ wide, while the actual roadway is
20’ or 30’ wide, depending on the street, leaving 10’ to 15’ of vacant public right of way
between the roadway and the private front yards. The idea of allowing residents to plant
within the public right of way was raised as a way to introduce additional landscaping. Justin
Rabidoux indicated that the City would be open to this idea, provided that homeowners
signed a license agreement with the City and that plantings were low (no trees) to preclude
roots interfering with utility lines.
At the March 16 CNAPC meeting, cross sections and 3-dimensional drawings were shown
to illustrate plantings within the public right of way. The drawings showed alternative
plantings including 3.5-foot-high fences or hedges at the property line with lower plantings
in the public right of way as well as low plantings extending from the existing front yards
into the public right of way with no taller element. CNAPC members gave the idea a
favorability rating of 83%; adding in the votes of the non-CNAPC member attending the
meeting lowered the favorability rating to 60%.
The same illustrations were shown at the April 28, 2016 Community Meeting. Meeting
attendees gave a 68% favorability rating to the concept.
This recommendation received strong support at the May 11 CNAPC meeting. CNAPC
members agreed that a license agreement would set out the City’s expectations in terms of
the scale and maintenance of plants and fences and would be useful in case of disagreements
between neighbors.
FIGURE 3-42: FRONT YARDS WITH PORCHES, FENCES, HEDGES, AND GARDENS
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
82 June 30, 2016
ENHANCEMENTS TO MILLS AVENUE AND DUVAL TRAILS
The existing Mills Avenue (Garvey Property) and Duval Trails (DeGraffe Property) are
pedestrian paths through wooded areas. The idea of introducing other features to add
interest to the trails and attract new users was raised at the March 16 CNAPC meeting and
again at the April 28 Community Meeting. Photographs of a number of different potential
amenities were shown at the two meetings. Several attendees at the CNAPC meeting
commented that abutters did not want amenities that would attract more users and that
amenities might make more sense on the multi-use trail (see discussion of multi-use trail
under Use of Acquisition Land).
These enhancements generally had strong support from the CNAPC, but low support from
community members who participated in CNAPC and community meetings. Many abutters
were opposed to attracting more users and others liked the more natural state of these trails
or were concerned about who would maintain the new items. As a result of the lack of
support, it was recommended at the May 11 CNAPC meeting that these enhancements not
be implemented at this time. The CNAPC members endorsed this decision.
Benches
Benches placed alongside the path would enable users to rest as well as to stop and enjoy
the wooded area. A variety of bench styles, from rustic wood benches to more elegant iron
benches and artist designed benches, were shown at the CNAPC meeting on March 16. The
CNAPC members gave the benches a 92% favorability rating; adding in the votes of the
non-CNAPC member attending the meeting lowered the favorability rating to 55%.
The favorability rating of benches at the Community Meeting was 59%. Comments included
concern over attracting vagrants and the suggestion that benches would make more sense at
locations with views to the mountains (see discussion under Use of Acquisition Land).
FIGURE 3-43: EXAMPLES OF BENCHES
Plant and Tree Labels
Plant and tree labels are a low cost, unobtrusive way to add interest to the trail and educate
users on plant species. Photographs of several different styles were shown at the March 16
CNAPC meeting. The CNAPC members gave the labels a 75% favorability rating; adding in
the votes of the non-CNAPC member attending the meeting lowered the favorability rating
to 59%. Plant and tree labels had a 64% favorability rating at the Community Meeting.
Attendees commented that the signs would be of limited interest, and might be done with
private money.
FIGURE 3-44: EXAMPLES OF PLANT AND TREE LABELS
Birdhouses
Birdhouses can help to attract a variety of bird species and would add visual interest to the
trails. Photographs of several styles, including traditional and whimsical, were shown at the
March 16 CNAPC meeting. The idea of birdhouses was well-received and CNAPC members
requested that bat houses be included in the recommendation. The CNAPC members gave
the bird and bat houses a 92% favorability rating; adding in the votes of the non-CNAPC
member attending the meeting lowered the favorability rating to 64%. Bird and bat houses
had a 71% favorability rating at the Community Meeting. Attendees expressed concern over
the maintenance of the bird houses, although others were positive about the teaching
opportunity and helping nature.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
84 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 3-45: EXAMPLES OF BIRDHOUSES
Fitness Trails
Fitness Trails include a set of exercise equipment that people can use while out for a stroll
or a run. The equipment promotes fitness and requires minimal maintenance and could
encourage additional trail use. The CNAPC members gave the fitness trail a 67% favorability
rating; adding in the votes of the non-CNAPC member attending the meeting lowered the
favorability rating to 45%. It was suggested by a meeting attendee that a fitness trail would
be more heavily used if it were located near a bike path or running trail. Fitness trails had a
61% favorability rating at the Community Meeting. Comments included suggestions for
placing them away from homes, and spacing the facilities out; others expressed concerns
over maintenance and attracting vagrants while some thought a playground would be more
useful.
FIGURE 3-46: FITNESS TRAIL EXAMPLE
Free Lending Libraries
Free Lending Libraries have been popping up around the country as very small free-
standing wooden birdhouse type structures with a door that enables neighbors to borrow
and share books. They provide an attractive neighborhood resource at minimal cost. Images
of a variety of styles, including one in South Burlington, were shown at the CNAPC meeting.
The CNAPC members gave the libraries a 92% favorability rating; adding in the votes of the
non-CNAPC member attending the meeting lowered the favorability rating to 68%.
Comments from meeting attendees included moving the libraries to more heavily trafficked
areas to reduce vandalism and concern about who would be responsible for maintenance.
The libraries had a 63% favorability rating at the Community Meeting. A gentleman at the
meeting who had installed one at his own home volunteered to make an additional one for
the neighborhood if it was desired. Comments included concern over maintenance.
FIGURE 3-47: FREE LENDING LIBRARY EXAMPLES
Miniature Museums
A photograph of a Miniature Museum installed on a wall in Somerville, MA was shown at
the two meetings. The museum creates the opportunity for residents to create and display
small art works and provides an unexpected point of interest for trail users. The CNAPC
members gave the museum a 50% favorability rating; adding in the votes of the non-
CNAPC members attending the meeting lowered the favorability rating to 45%. The
miniature museum received a 30% favorability rating at the Community Meeting.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
86 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 3-48: MINIATURE MUSEUM IN SOMERVILLE, MA
USE OF AIRPORT ACQUISITION LAND
Multi-Use Trail
The extension of Airport Drive to connect with Airport Parkway has been discussed for a
number of years. Although there is no set alignment for this realigned roadway, based on
alternative alignments that have been shown, the alignment will most likely be within the
Acquisition Land, with a swath of Acquisition Land of varying width remaining on the
neighborhood side of the new road. A multi-use trail through this land would provide a
valuable amenity for airport users and employees as well as for neighborhood residents. The
trail could run alongside the new road or deviate from the road alignment as a meandering
path closer to the residential neighborhood. Photos of similar trails were shown at the March
16 CNAPC meeting. The CNAPC members gave the multi-use trail a 100% favorability
rating; adding in the votes of the non-CNAPC member attending the meeting lowered the
favorability rating to 73%. The multi-use trail received an 83% favorability rating at the
Community Meeting. There was some concern expressed regarding safety on the trail. It was
suggested that heavy plantings could help to absorb airport noise.
FIGURE 3-49: MULTI-USE TRAILS ADJACENT TO AND SEPARATED FROM THE ROADWAY
The Consultants suggested that interpretive elements could be added at wider points in the
trail, using the opportunity to provide information about the history of the neighborhood
and the airport. Images of a similar open space adjacent to Logan International Airport were
shown. The CNAPC members gave interpretive materials a 92% favorability rating; adding
in the votes of the non-CNAPC member attending the meeting lowered the favorability
rating to 60%. Interpretive materials received only a 61% favorability rating at the
Community Meeting.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
88 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 3-50: INTERPRETIVE ELEMENTS ADJACENT TO LOGAN AIRPORT REFERENCING THE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY’S HISTORY
Maintenance of Views
Currently, drivers and pedestrians on Kirby Street have a view to Mount Mansfield in the
distance; drivers and pedestrians on White Street and the southeastern end of Airport Drive
have mountain views as well. At the March 16 CNAPC meeting, photos of those views were
shown and the Consultants suggested that those views should be maintained by encouraging
the airport to site new facilities to acknowledge, retain and frame these important vistas. The
CNAPC members gave maintenance of views a 92% favorability rating; adding in the votes
of the non-CNAPC member attending the meeting lowered the favorability rating to 75%.
At the Community Meeting, maintenance of views received a favorability rating of 80% and
it was suggested that benches be provided so that residents could sit down while enjoying
the view.
FIGURE 3-51: MOUNTAIN VIEWS FROM KIRBY ROAD AND WHITE STREET
3.3 | INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
Throughout the development of this Plan, CNAPC members, residents, and City and
CCRPC staff have stressed the importance of building a strong sense of public engagement
and ownership in the neighborhood’s future. CNAPC members stressed the importance,
moving forward, of ensuring that there is clear and consistent information about actions
proposed in or for the neighborhood, including policy changes such as rezoning as well as
physical projects such as sidewalk enhancements. The actions in the Implementation Plan
for this project would have varying degrees of impact, but each presents an opportunity to
build a better base of information among residents and a stronger sense of engagement.
Many other issues, including Airport-related development and operational activities and
planning around the future of Chamberlin School, have been and will continue to be
controversial, requiring special attention to communication and public engagement.
The many steps and actors/parties who would be involved in communication, information
dissemination, decision-making, and project management about potential improvements are
collectively described as the Institutional Arrangements for each option in the
Implementation Plan. Institutional arrangements include two components:
• The types of opportunities that will be provided for public engagement and
feedback on a specific implementation step or action item, and
• The information pathways for communication about actions, events or
investments that could affect or enhance the neighborhood.
The Implementation Plan includes, for each project or step, specific recommendations for
the public engagement opportunities and information pathways. Describing these in detail is
intended to help residents, City officials and staff, and stakeholders such as the South
Burlington School District and Burlington International Airport set common expectations
for communication and participation moving forward. By including Institutional
Arrangements in the Plan, the plan also assigns responsibilities and sets expectations for
each stage of a project (i.e. planning, engineering/design, implementation).
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
90 June 30, 2016
OPPORTUNITIES & METHODS FOR PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Over the past six months, the CNAPC evaluated a number of different opportunities and
methods for public engagement to inform the Implementation Plan. The many options for
enabling and encouraging public engagement involve different levels of participation,
formality, and time commitment. Options considered by the CNAPC and presented for
public feedback in this Plan fell into three general categories:
1. Neighborhood-Based Options: An organization (whether formally incorporated,
such as a 501(c)(3) or other non-profit, or not) could be initiated and formed by
residents within the Chamberlin Neighborhood, either as a general-purpose
organization or focused on one specific area of implementation (e.g. public art,
trails, advocacy, etc.).
2. City-Based Options: Several different types of formal, standing committees (i.e.
Natural Resources Committee, Bike/Pedestrian Committee) and ad hoc groups (e.g.
the Urban Agriculture Task Force) can be formed by the City of South Burlington.
Standing committees, such as the Bike/Pedestrian Committee, can take up a
particular project or initiative as a work task. Forming a City committee involves
Council appointments and adherence to applicable process and procedures,
including Vermont Open Meeting laws, but formal committees can benefit from
staff and financial support.
In addition, the South Burlington City Charter enables the creation of
“neighborhood forums” to address specific issues. The neighborhood forum is one
potential vehicle to advance the Chamberlin Neighborhood’s interests, possibly
through advancing the recommended Implementation Plan of this study.
3. Special Committees or Task Forces: Through memorandums of agreement
(MOAs), formal stakeholder processes, or other inter-agency agreements, special
committees or task forces can be formed to take on larger issues or provide ongoing
public engagement for major projects. In the Chamberlin Neighborhood, residents
might expect, as an important example, that VTrans and the City would convene
and support a formal stakeholder process for planning, engineering and constructing
the Airport Drive realignment/reconstruction, or potentially for development of a
pedestrian path connecting from the Lime Kiln Bridge to the neighborhood. Special
committees also might be formed with the City of South Burlington, the City of
Burlington, neighborhood residents, the business community, and Airport
representation to study zoning options for the noise land.
INFORMATION PATHWAYS
The term “Information Pathways” refers to communication about actions, events and
investments that may affect or enhance the neighborhood. The introduction of social
media, email blasts, and on-line neighborhood forums has changed expectations and
methods of how information is disseminated, and often, planning processes and public
hearing notices have not caught up to these developments. Moreover, who communicates
information, when, and how often will affect how well informed residents feel, and how
meaningful any feedback or participation will be on a given topic or project.
Like the types of committee arrangements described above, there are a number of different
options for information pathways with different leadership responsibility, purposes, and
reach. In some cases, such as review of a development application or a public hearing on
zoning, Vermont law prescribes the types of information that must be provided and the
timelines relative to public meetings and hearings; other communication is at the City’s,
School District’s, or BIA’s discretion, and additional information and communication often
is provided in addition to required public notices. The credibility of who or what agency is
providing information (i.e. School District versus individual resident, etc.) also is important
to consider for different issues.
The Implementation Plan reflects a number of options discussed by the CNAPC and
presented to the public. These include:
• Neighborhood-based communication: Resident-generated newsletters, listservs,
and social media such as Facebook or Twitter are increasingly important sources of
information and communication. South Burlington in general, and the Chamberlin
Neighborhood in particular, have access to the Front Porch Forum listserv for
neighborhood communication. The City and other organizations post notices
regularly through Front Porch Forum.
• Newspapers and news outlets: Participants in the April 28 community meeting
were asked about their use of local newspapers and outlets – chiefly The Other Paper,
the Burlington Free Press, and Seven Days – as sources of information. Both residents
and City officials have the option to provide content through The Other Paper, which
public meeting participants indicated was an important source of information about
issues affecting the neighborhood.
• City-based communication: In addition to meeting requirements for public
notices under Vermont’s Planning and Development Act and Open Meeting Law,
the City maintains a website with news releases, meeting calendars, and special
announcements, and also initiates emails and mailings from time to time on specific
topics. Because email and mailing lists (other than property tax rolls) are often
incomplete and can become outdated, the efficacy of special mailing/emails can be
limited through no fault of the City’s.
• Special communication: There are a number of cases where some sort of special
purpose communication is indicated, which may take the form of a special notice or
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
92 June 30, 2016
mailing about a specific project (i.e. crosswalk painting, or announcements from the
South Burlington School District on its planning process).
4.0 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
The CNAPC, with input from community meetings, the Consultants, and the City,
ultimately decided to advance seven short-term improvements, six medium-term
improvements, and two long-term improvements. These are summarized in the
Implementation Plan Matrix and described below.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
94 June 30, 2016
4.1 | TRANSPORTATION
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY
White Street Sidewalk
Priority #14 Medium Term
A sidewalk on the north side of White Street between Patchen Road and Airport Drive did
not receive overwhelming support from the CNAPC and the public, but because it reached a
high enough threshold and is a standard safety practice, the Consultants recommended
including it in the Implementation Plan as a lower priority and as a medium-term measure.
FIGURE 4-1: ILLUSTRATION OF PROPOSED WHITE STREET SIDEWALK
Overland Paths
Priority #11 Medium Term
Overland paths are recommended as the first priority of the medium-term measures. The
idea to have a boardwalk along Centennial Brook was introduced in late April, and it has
been included as a sub-recommendation under overland paths.
Crosswalks
Striping Priority #4,5 Short Term
With Median Priority #10 Medium Term
Recommended crosswalk locations are:
• White Street at Airport Parkway (striping only, short-term)
• Patchen Road at Jaycee Park (striping only, short-term)
• Williston Road midblock (with median and RRFBs, medium-term)
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
96 June 30, 2016
White Street at Airport Parkway: the crosswalk should align with the sidewalk on the
north side of White Street / southwest side of Airport Parkway. This location is also close to
a bus stop.
Patchen Road at Jaycee Park: The crosswalk should align with the potential future
connector road (Phase II of the Williston Road Transportation Study, an effort between the
CCRPC and the City of South Burlington).
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
98 June 30, 2016
Williston Road midblock: This location has been chosen because it will not affect left
turns into driveways or side streets, and because of its proximity to nearby businesses and
the recreational path in the City open space between Mills Avenue and Victory Drive.
On-Road Bike Lanes
Priority #2, #3 Short Term
Bike lanes are recommended at the following locations as a short-term measure:
• White Street between Williston Road and Airport Drive
• Patchen Road between Williston Road and Landfill Road
• Airport Drive between White Street and Williston Road
• Airport Parkway between White Street and Kirby Road
• Airport Parkway between Kirby Road and Lime Kiln Road (Outside of Study Area;
project already in planning by the City and the CCRPC)
FIGURE 4-2: RECOMMENDED BIKE LANE LOCATIONS
Airport Parkway Sidewalk and Bike Lanes (Outside of Study Area)
It is recommended that the City move forward with the sidewalk and bicycle lanes currently
being planned along Airport Drive between Kirby Road and Lime Kiln Road.
Priority #12 Medium Term
STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Radar Speed Signs
Priority #1 Short Term
Two portable radar speed signs have already been purchased by the City, so their installation
on White Street is now the CNAPC’s first priority. One sign will be installed on each side of
White Street, somewhere between the beginning of the street and the school.
FIGURE 4-3: PORTABLE RADAR SPEED SIGN
Whimsical Crosswalks
Priority #6 Short Term
Whimsical crosswalks are recommended in the Chamberlin Neighborhood as a short-term
measure, though location(s) have yet to be decided. One possibility is in front of the
Chamberlin School, for the following reasons:
• The school is at the geographic center of the neighborhood
• A relatively high percentage of residents are likely to travel past here in a given day,
and many of them will be children attending school
• A crosswalk here would not get worn out as quickly as on Patchen Road, where
there is more traffic
Considering safety concerns over more colorful crosswalks, it is recommended that the
crosswalk use only white paint, but with a creative pattern.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
100 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 4-4: CROSSWALK IN EAST TOWN, MILWAUKEE, WI (HOME TO A SUMMER MUSIC SERIES)
AIRPORT DRIVE
Airport Drive Reconstruction
Priority #16 Long Term
It is recommended that Airport Drive be reconstructed as a long-term measure. The exact
alignment is to be determined. It could approximately follow the alignment “Alternate
Development Scenario” shown in the Airport’s Noise Land Inventory and Reuse Plan
Update on March 24, 2016 and it would include the characteristics supported by the City in
the City’s statement to the Airport, including:
• Consists of a two-lane roadway with a design following Complete Streets principles
• Includes a 10-foot recreation path and sidewalk
• Has adequate separation from the Chamberlin Neighborhood for buffering of
traffic noise
• Includes attractive spaces for public enjoyment
• Includes continued links of White Street and Richard Terrace onto Airport Parkway
FIGURE 4-5: AIRPORT DRIVE “ALTERNATE DEVELOPMENT SCENARIO" (BIA 2016 RE-USE PLAN)
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
102 June 30, 2016
4.2 | CIVIC IMPROVEMENTS
CIVIC ENHANCEMENTS
Neighborhood Welcome Signs and Banners
Priority #7 Short Term
It is recommended that gateway/welcome signs be installed at six key entry points into the
neighborhood:
• Kirby Road at Airport Parkway
• Kirby Road at Patchen Road
• White Street west of the Acquisition Land
• White Street east of Patchen Road
• Mills Avenue at Williston Road
• Logwood Street and Airport Road
These locations were chosen as points where a visitor turns into the residential
neighborhood. A seventh location, Patchen Road at Williston Road, was considered but
rejected at the CNAPC meeting because it is a busy commercial intersection outside of the
residential neighborhood. The sixth location, Logwood Street and Airport Road, was
requested by the CNAPC.
FIGURE 4-6: RECOMMENDED GATEWAY SIGN LOCATIONS
FIGURE 4-7: GATEWAY SIGN EXAMPLE
The CNAPC also proposed having a South Burlington welcome sign along Patchen Road
near the boundary between South Burlington and Burlington (Figure 4-8). Currently, there is
no signal to people traveling down Grove Street (in Burlington) that they have entered South
Burlington (Figure 4-9).
FIGURE 4-8: WELCOME SIGN UPON ENTERING SOUTH BURLINGTON
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
104 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 4-9: STREET VIEW OF THE BORDER BETWEEN SOUTH BURLINGTON AND BURLINGTON
Implementation Steps:
• Work with City to determine preferred locations (on publicly-owned land)
• Design signs
• Fabricate and install signs (could be done as part of roadway improvement project)
Pedestrian Scale Lighting
Priority #15 Medium Term
It is recommended that pedestrian scale street lights be installed on both sides of White
Street. Based on a conversation with Justin Rabidoux, it is recommended that 14 foot (60
feet on center) LED lights be used. Although earlier meetings had shown support for
pedestrian scale street lights, it was felt that the lights are more appropriate on streets with
sidewalks and curbs. At the May 11 CNAPC meeting, committee members agreed that
White Street should be the first street to have the lights installed, and that lights on other
streets could be considered over time if requested by the residents of those streets.
Implementation Steps
• Work with City to have project added to the City’s list of capital improvement
projects for funding
FIGURE 4-10: WHITE STREET WITH STREET LIGHTS, SIDEWALK, AND BIKE LANES
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
106 June 30, 2016
FRONT PORCHES AND PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY
Front Porch Zoning
Priority #8 Medium Term
The concept of amending the existing zoning regulations to allow front porches within the
required front yard setback was well-supported throughout the project. It is recommended
that the zoning be revised to allow front porches to extend up to 12-15 feet into the required
front yard setback.
Examples of zoning regulations from other municipalities that can serve as a model for a
South Burlington zoning amendment are included in the Appendices.
FIGURE 4-11: EXAMPLES OF FRONT PORCHES ON ONE-STORY HOUSES
Implementation Steps
1. Planning Department develops Draft Zoning Amendment and submits to Planning
Commission
2. Planning Commission studies and reports findings
3. Public Hearing held
4. Amendment submitted to City Council
5. Public Hearing held
6. Adoption of Zoning Amendment
Landscaping in Public Right of Way
Priority #9 Short Term
It is recommended that the City allow homeowners to make landscaping improvements to
the right of way in front of their houses following the execution of a license agreement.
Fences and hedges at the property line should be maximum 3.5’ high. Plantings within the
City ROW should not include trees or other deep-root plants that could interfere with utility
lines; the City will have the right to dig up plantings for utility maintenance.
FIGURE 4-12: STREET MODEL WITH PORCHES, SHRUBS, AND PLANTINGS IN PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY
Implementation Steps
• City development of a license agreement (an example is included in the Appendix)
• Execution of the license agreement by individual property owners
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
108 June 30, 2016
USE OF AIRPORT ACQUISITION LAND
Multi-Use Trail
Priority #17 Long Term
The addition of a multi-use trail through the Acquisition Land received strong support at
the Community Meeting. It is recommended that a multi-use trail be developed on the
Acquisition Land in conjunction with the extension of Airport Drive to connect with
Airport Parkway. The CNAPC members strongly supported this recommendation at the
May 11 CNAPC meeting. Two potential conceptual alignments were shown – one with the
trail closely following the roadway and one with a meandering trail at the outer limits of the
Acquisition Land, closer to the remaining houses.
As discussed in Chapter 3, the Consultants had suggested that interpretive elements could
be added at wider points in the trail, using the opportunity to provide information about the
history of the neighborhood and the airport. This concept did not receive strong support
and is not included as a final recommendation.
FIGURE 4-13: ROADSIDE TRAIL AND MEANDERING PATH EXAMPLE
Conceptual path of roadside trail shown in yellow (roadside path); conceptual path of meandering trail shown
in red (meanderingpath);
FIGURE 4-14: CROSS SECTION OF ROADSIDE PATH
FIGURE 4-15: CROSS SECTION OF MEANDERING PATH
Implementation Steps
1. Multi-use path to be built in conjunction with relocated Airport Parkway
2. Determine preference for trail location: adjacent to road vs meandering
3. Coordinate with roadway design team to design multi-use trail as part of roadway
project
Maintenance of Views via Pocket Parks
Priority #13 Medium Term
Maintenance of views received strong support and it was suggested that benches be
provided so that residents could sit down while enjoying the view of the mountains. It is
recommended that pocket parks at key viewing locations be developed as part of the multi-
use trail described above. The three recommended locations include:
• Kirby Road at Airport Parkway
• White Street west of the Acquisition Land
• Near cemetery (Airport Drive / Airport Road)
These pocket parks could include a bench, bike racks and plantings. A typical site plan and
photographs of similar pocket parks were shown to the CNAPC at the May 11 meeting and
the concept was strongly supported. In the short-term, inexpensive “pop-up” parks could be
installed prior to development of the multi-use trail.
It is also recommended that the Airport site new buildings in a way that preserves these
existing views.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
110 June 30, 2016
FIGURE 4-16: RECOMMENDED POCKET PARK LOCATIONS
FIGURE 4-17: POCKET PARK EXAMPLES
Implementation
1. Encourage airport to maintain these view corridors when siting new buildings
2. Work with Airport to install temporary “Pop-up” parks on Acquisition Land prior
to development of the multi-use trail
4.3 | INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
DEVELOPING RECOMMENDATIONS
For each recommended action in the Implementation Plan, a set of “institutional
arrangements” was developed that recommends a structure for public engagement, a point
of contact or responsibility within an involved organization (i.e. City of South Burlington,
VTrans, Airport, South Burlington School District), and information pathways including
methods, frequencies, and responsibilities for communication. While it is likely that these
recommendations will change as projects evolve, the recommendations in the Plan are
intended to help set common expectations among residents, the public at large, the Airport,
local and regional staff, and City leadership with respect to project leadership, public
engagement, and communication.
The recommendations for institutional arrangements were developed through the planning
process and public meetings, where a structured questioning process was used to test out
what communication and participation options provided the best fit for different
recommended actions. CNAPC members and the public were asked to think through and
articulate the best information pathways for different types of planning and implementation
projects. For each of the items in the Implementation Plan, the CNAPC and project team
considered a number of aspects of communication:
WHO?
• Who is the right ‘messenger’ for different communications?
Example: South Burlington School District, rather than the City, should lead
communications about the future of Chamberlin School.
• Who/what position is the right “point person” in each organization?
Example: The City Planner coordinates the Bike/Pedestrian Committee, while the
Director of Planning & Zoning manages zoning amendments.
• Who are the neighborhood audiences for different kinds of information?
Example: School planning will involve residents and current/prospective parents,
where crosswalks within the neighborhood is likely to be a more local issue. WHERE?
• What are the right ‘geographies’ for information on different actions, events or
plans?
Example: Residents in Country Club Estates may be less interested in regular
information on a boardwalk path in the woods along Centennial Brook than those
living adjacent or close to the site.
• Where are the best places for information exchange and gatherings?
Example: Holding meetings at Chamberlin School can facilitate residents’
attendance, but some public meetings and formal hearings must be held at City
Hall.
WHAT?
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
112 June 30, 2016
• What actions, events and investments should be communicated to the
neighborhood?
Example: Actions in the Implementation Plan should involve communication
specifically to neighborhood residents, where larger City-wide initiatives or plans
will not warrant targeted local outreach.
WHEN?
• How often should information be provided about Implementation Plan items
versus general, operational issues (i.e. Airport activities)?
Example: A sidewalk project may warrant regular weekly emails/posts to a
neighborhood listserv before and during construction.
• What are the ongoing information needs?
Example: Should a regular update be provided on all of the items in the Plan, and
if so, by whom?
HOW?
• What are the best information pathways for different types of issues or
notices?
Example: A posting by the Department of Planning & Zoning in the neighborhood
“Front Porch Forum” and a public notice in The Other Paper would be
appropriate notice of a Planning Commission meeting to consider changing
zoning to allow front porches.
FINDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC PROCESS
At the public meeting, participants were asked the questions above relative to the topics in
this plan (planning for the future of Chamberlin School; transportation; and civic
improvements). Public feedback on these questions provided the CNAPC and project team
with strong direction and recommendations on Institutional Arrangements overall. Key
findings from the public discussion were:
1. What issues or activities in the neighborhood would you want to be notified
about? Top responses were Chamberlin School plans, transportation system changes,
and Airport-related development; participants had far less interest in path, trail and
recreation planning; neighbor-to-neighbor programs, parks (including the dog park), and
civic improvements.
2. What issues or events in the neighborhood would prompt you to participate more
actively? Top responses were a decision to close Chamberlin School, plans to change or
modify roads, Airport development plans, and rezoning proposals. Few participants
said that they would be more motivated to participate by planning for the dog park,
noise mitigation committee meetings, VT Air National Guard information, or other
CNAPC meetings.
3. What are the ways you are most likely to respond to an issue or proposed action
in your neighborhood? Top responses were attending a public meeting and submitting
comments via email or an online forum; others indicated that they might be motivated
to join a neighborhood group or committee, or to call someone in leadership to express
ideas or concerns.
4. What are the best ways to communicate about opportunities to participate, or
issues affecting the neighborhood? Participants responded consistently that emails or
Front Porch Forum postings from the City (i.e. a department or committee member,
communicating in a formal capacity), announcements in The Other Paper, or emails from
another local organization would be appropriate, effective and credible means. There
were few positive responses for using the City website (i.e. passive information, by
posting announcements without a corresponding email or notification), physical
mailings, Facebook, or a physical message board at a local site as communication
methods.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
114 June 30, 2016
TAKEAWAYS AND OVERALL RECOMMENDATIONS
There are a number of important “takeaway” messages from the project’s feedback process,
all of which helped the CNAPC and the project team shape the recommended institutional
arrangements in the Implementation Plan. These are likely to provide useful guidance to the
City, Airport, School District and residents for a number of future actions and initiatives in
this neighborhood.
CNAPC members expressed strong interest in and general support for the activities
proposed in the Implementation Plan, and there was agreement that planning and
implementation will continue to be advocated by the CNAPC, or its logical
successor, after the recommendations of this study are submitted to the City Council.
The CNAPC expressed its intent to initiate an ongoing group that would advocate for the
neighborhood, and that would be poised to coalesce around specific issues or events. With
regard to the Implementation Plan presented in this report, it is anticipated that some
recommendations will proceed through City- and School District-based committees and
processes, but that the CNAPC, or its successor, will be a prime mover in this process.
Among South Burlington residents who are not CNAPC members, as gathered from
feedback at the project’s Community meetings, interest in participation and providing
feedback is substantially issue- and event-driven. Citizen interest in active participation is
chiefly tied to specific proposals or actions (i.e. changes to Chamberlin School, changes to
roads, rezoning, Airport development).
Residents expressed a strong interest in providing input on plans and projects in process, as
well as policy changes such as allowing porches, rather than initiating or generating new
projects and ideas themselves. In this context, clear, timely notice of events is welcome and
will be beneficial to residents’ sense of engagement and participation. Clearly defined
opportunities for participation, and clear pathways for providing feedback, also will be
welcome and beneficial.
CNAPC members were receptive to the idea of having formal stakeholder sub-committees,
with neighborhood residents well represented, for large-scale projects such as the Airport
Drive realignment/reconstruction and a path along Airport Drive. This is reflected in the
Implementation Plan for major projects.
There is support for keeping formal Airport-related communication and interaction on a
separate track, but to ensure that the CNAPC is appropriately represented in any discussions.
With regard to noise-related issues, the CNAPC’s Noise Subcommittee is an example of a
likely connection between the CNAPC and the Airport. As other airport-related issues arise
– such as potential rezoning linked to an airport land use proposal, or a proposal for
redeveloping Airport Drive – the core CNAPC, or its successor, will want to participate in
any formal discussions.
While the South Burlington Planning Commission will have an evident and important role in
any future rezoning, the Airport should be the primary lead for communication around its
development plans, and in coordination with the City of South Burlington, would initiate the
convening of special working groups on particular topics.
Future Use of the Chamberlin School
In November 2014, the South Burlington City Council commissioned the South Burlington
School + Community Master Planning Task Force. The Task Force was asked to make
recommendations regarding visions, goals, and needs of the City, School District, and
community at large. They submitted their final recommendations in June 2015.
With regard to school planning, the Task Force considered multiple factors, including the
state of existing school facilities and trends in demographics and school enrollment, and
many others. A key point in their recommendations is to designate the Chamberlin School
for other uses.
This recommendation, and the general issue regarding the future use of the Chamberlin
School, has been discussed at several CNAPC meetings. Some members expressed
noteworthy concern about the prospect of the eventual closure of the school, citing its
importance as a center of Neighborhood vitality. While no formal vote was taken, the
CNAPC expressed their sense of the importance of the school building and property as a
hub for the neighborhood and as a community resource.
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
116 June 30, 2016
4.4 | IMPLEMENTATION PLAN MATRIX
See the following three pages for a matrix of all improvement recommendations, organized
by priority and timeframe and listing cost estimates, expected funding sources, and
recommended project leadership for each recommendation.
Transportation improvements are shaded light or dark yellow.
Civic improvements are shaded light or dark green.
Following the Implementation Plan matrices is a table of improvements that were
considered but not recommended, for reasons described in Section 3 of this report.
AND FINALLY, LET’S CELEBRATE!
At the final community meeting on June 7, 2016 at the Chamberlin School, a member of the
public suggested that neighborhood residents join together for a celebration. It would be a
way for neighbors to meet and get to know each other, and to enjoy the neighborhood
together. Two possible ways this could be done were suggested:
Focal Points
Residents would walk around the neighborhood during a set time window and visit other
homes - an Open Studios meets Show-and-Tell concept. One resident might show off their
vegetable garden, another might talk to neighbors about their solar panels, and another
might provide some snacks.
Cookout
Residents would gather together for a barbecue, possibly on the park-like Acquisition Land
if permission is granted.
As one CNAPC member said, “Let’s pull together for the neighborhood!”
117
SHORT TERM RECOMMENDATIONS (LESS THAN 3 YEARS)
Priority Improvement Location Cost Estimate Funding Source Project Leadership Low High
1 Portable Radar
Speed Signs White St (2) Already
purchased
City Transportation
Budget DPW
2
On-Road Bike
Lanes
White St: Williston Rd to
Airport Dr
Negligible City Transportation
Budget
1) Bicycle & Pedestrian
Committee
2) DPW
Patchen Rd: Williston Rd
to Landfill Rd
Airport Dr: White St to
Williston Rd
Airport Pkwy: White St to
Kirby Rd
3 Airport Parkway: Kirby Rd to Lime Kiln Rd (outside
of Study Area)
Included in
Airport Parkway
Sidewalk
Project
City Transportation
Budget/Vtrans TA DPW
4 Crosswalk-
durable
materials
White St @ Airport Pkwy $1k $3k City Transportation
Budget DPW 5 Patchen Rd @ Jaycee
Park $4k $6k
6 Whimsical
Crosswalks TBD $5k $10k Local
1) Planning and Zoning
2) Bicycle & Pedestrian
Committee
7 Neighborhood
Welcome Signs
White St/Patchen Rd
$1k $3k Local/Neighborhood
1) Neighborhood
Volunteer(s)
2) Planning and Zoning
3) DPW
White St west of
Acquisition Land
Mills Ave/Williston Rd
Logwood St/Airport Rd
Kirby Rd/Patchen Rd
Kirby Rd/Airport Pkwy
Patchen Rd at Burlington
boundary
8 Front Porch
Zoning All residential streets - Homeowner Planning and Zoning
9 Landscaping in
Public ROW All residential streets Varies Property Owner 1) Planning and Zoning
2) DPW
MEDIUM TERM RECOMMENDATIONS (3-7 YEARS)
Priority Improvement Location Cost Estimate Project Leadership
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
118 June 30, 2016
Low High Funding
Source
10 Crosswalk with
Median Island
Williston Rd west
of Recreational
Path
$15k $25k Vtrans TA DPW
11
Overland
Paths,
Centennial
Boardwalk
TBD
Typical:
$2k
With
Bridge:
$50k; With
Boardwalk:
$75k
Typical:
$5k
With
Bridge:
$100k;
With
Boardwalk:
$100k
Local /
Neighborhood
1) Neighborhood
Volunteer(s)
2) Planning and Zoning
3) Bicycle and
Pedestrian Committee
4) DPW
12 Sidewalk
North side of
Airport Pkwy: Kirby Rd to Lime Kiln Rd
(outside of Study
Area)
$1.2
million
$1.5
million Vtrans TA DPW
13
Pocket Parks
at Vistas to
Mountains
Kirby Rd / Airport
Pkwy $16k $24k
Local, RPC-
TIP, FAA, BTV
1) Planning and Zoning
2) Neighborhood
Volunteers
3) DPW
White St west of
Acquistion Land $16k $24k
Near Cemetery $16k $24k
14 Sidewalk
North side of
White St: Airport
Dr to Patchen Rd
$400k $650k Vtrans TA
1) Bicycle &
Pedestrian Committee
2) DPW
15 Pedestrian
Scale Lighting White Street $650K $850k Local 1) Planning and Zoning
2) DPW
119
LONG TERM RECOMMENDATIONS (8+ YEARS)
Priority Improvement Location Cost Estimate Funding Source Project Leadership
Low High
16 Reconstruction Airport Drive $12M $20M RPC-TIP
1) Planning and Zoning
2) Various stakeholders including:
Bicycle and Pedestrian
Committee, CCRPC, Vtrans, and
BIA representatives
17
Multi-Use Trail
Through
Acquisition
Land
Acquisition
Land along
Airport Dr /
Airport Pkwy
$1.3M $2.7M Local, RPC-
TIP, FAA, BTV
1) Bicycle and Pedestrian
Committee
2) Other stakeholders including:
BIA representatives, Planning and
Zoning, and DPW
IMPROVEMENTS CONSIDERED BUT NOT ADVANCED
Improvement Location
Crosswalk White St @ Maplewood Dr
White St @ Peterson Ter
Protected bike lanes White St and Patchen Rd
Suggestion lanes Richard Ter
Sidewalk Airport Pkwy: White St to Kirby Rd
Medians/Pinch Points Victory Dr and Logwood St
Painted Streets
Pedestrian Refuge Island Kirby Rd / Airport Pkwy
Curb Radii Reduction White St / Maplewood Dr
Mini Roundabouts
Street Reconfigurations Near Airport Dr
Benches City Open Space
Plant and Tree Labels City Open Space
Birdhouses City Open Space
Fitness Trails City Open Space
Free Lending Libraries City Open Space
Miniature Museum City Open Space
Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and City of South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Study
2 June 30, 2016
ihttp://www.district.sf.sbschools.net/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/483095/File/NEWS%20
on%20MAIN%20PAGE/SB_SCMstrPlan_TF%20Final%20Report_150603%20with%20Appendices
.pdf?sessionid=30b0ae550ded9674b0ec53007260c49f
ii South Burlington School + Community Master Planning Task Force. Recommendations to the Steering Committee June 3, 2015. See:
http://www.district.sf.sbschools.net/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/483095/File/NEWS%20
on%20MAIN%20PAGE/SB_SCMstrPlan_TF%20Final%20Report_150603%20with%20Appendices.pdf?sessionid=30b0ae550ded9674b0ec53007260c49f
iii South Burlington School District, VT Demographic Study; p. 14.
[1] Economic Impacts of Bicycling and Walking in Vermont. VTrans. July 6, 2012. p A28.
[2] Walk Score Methodology. https://www.walkscore.com/methodology.shtml
iv CCTA is rebranding itself to Green Mountain Transit over the course of 2016.
v The DHV is the 30th highest hour of traffic for the year and is used as the design standard in
Vermont.
vi The HCM 2010 does not provide methodologies for calculating intersection delays at certain
intersection types including signalized intersections with exclusive pedestrian phases and signalized intersections with non NEMA-standard phasing. Because of these limitations, HCM 2000
methodologies are employed where necessary.
vii The full text of the Noise Compatibility Planning Program regulations may be accessed at:
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=44fb7ed6bee65430ad245a9c5ae49582&rgn=div5&view=text&node=14:3.0.1.3.21&i
dno=14#se14.3.150_11
viii The City of South Burlington Department of Public Works has completed an engineering design of
a sidewalk and bike lanes on Airport Drive from Kirby Road to Lime Kiln Road. Bike lane alignments recommended for the Chamberlin Neighborhood are designed to connect to this.
APPENDIX
Most supporting documents and meeting notes related to the Chamberlin Neighborhood Study can be found
online. Summaries of feedback worksheet responses from three CNAPC meetings are included only in this
appendix. Public involvement materials are compiled in the appendix, and can be found online.
ONLINE RESOURCES
The CCRPC has a project page for the Chamberlin Neighborhood Study:
http://www.ccrpcvt.org/our-work/transportation/current-projects/corridors-circulation/chamberlin-
neighborhood-planning-project
The City of South Burlington has an online library of all meeting agendas and meeting notes:
http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=SouthBurlington-vt
APPENDIX
This Appendix consists of the following sections:
1. Summary of Feedback Worksheet Responses
a. CNAPC Meeting February 18, 2016 (Transportation Improvements)
b. CNAPC Meeting March 16, 2016 (Civic Improvements)
c. CNAPC Meeting April 13, 2016 (Transportation Improvements)
2. Public Involvement Report
a. Public Meetings (Flyer, Postcard, Agenda, Notes, Meeting Evaluations, Media Clips)
b. Public Comments
RSG 55 Railroad Row, White River Junction, Vermont 05001 www.rsginc.com
1
A Summary of Worksheet Responses from CNAPC Meeting #11 (February 18, 2016)
Compiled 3/2/16 by RSG
So far, 11 CNAPC members have turned in worksheets. This is a summary of their responses.
RSG 55 Railroad Row, White River Junction, Vermont 05001 www.rsginc.com
2
PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLE CONNECTIVITY
1. White Street sidewalk. There is currently a sidewalk on the south side of White Street. The 2013
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan recommends installing a sidewalk on the north side of the street
between Patchen Road and Chamberlin School. We also suggest extending this proposed sidewalk
from the school to the airport.
Comments
Several respondents commented that the
sidewalks on the south side of White Street
are sufficient, and pointed out that the
school will be closed.
Interpretation:
There is no overwhelming support or
disapproval for a sidewalk on the north side
of White Street.
There is also not a big difference in opinion
between the SRTS sidewalk and the
continuation.
White Street Sidewalk
(2013 Safe Routes to
School Plan, SB)
Continuation
of Sidewalk
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Patchen Rd - School School - Airport
Support for White Street Sidewalk
YES MAYBE NO
RSG 55 Railroad Row, White River Junction, Vermont 05001 www.rsginc.com
3
2. Overland pedestrian paths: Connecting streets to other streets and open spaces. Exact
locations to be determined.
Comments:
Carmine suggested a connection
between Logwood St and Patrick St.
Two respondents commented that
residents directly affected must
support/decide this.
Interpretation: The concept of
overland pedestrian paths was supported by almost everyone. As for specific locations, in general
each option was circled half the time and left uncircled the other half. There was only one
respondent who crossed out any connections. Therefore, feedback on specific locations is not clear
since for most respondents, uncircled connections may mean “No” or “Maybe/Neutral”, or possibly
that those connections were not noticed.
9, 82%
1, 9%
1, 9%
Support for Overland Pedestrian Paths?
YES MAYBE NO
RSG 55 Railroad Row, White River Junction, Vermont 05001 www.rsginc.com
4
3. Crosswalks
Comments:
Williston Road:
There was one suggestion to
add a crosswalk about
midway between Mills Ave
and Airport Rd.
There was one suggestion to
add a crosswalk on Williston
Rd at the end of Mills Ave.
There was one suggestion to
have two crosswalks on
Williston Rd. Others circled
more than one, but it is not
clear if they want two
crosswalks or if those are just
their favorite options, with no
particular preference.
Interpretation:
Crosswalks on White St @ Airport Pkwy and on Patchen Rd @ Jaycee Park were highly
supported.
A crosswalk on White St @ Maplewood Dr was moderately supported.
A crosswalk on White Street @ Peterson Terrace did not receive much support.
All but one person circled at least one of the Williston Road crossings, so a Williston Rd
crossing is highly supported. However, there is no obvious preference on which crossing is
best.
Note: Unlike with overland paths, crosswalks are a more familiar idea and these suggestions
are more specific, so people probably have a better understanding of where they would not
want a crosswalk and made that clear by crossing out options. Therefore, un-circled
crosswalks likely mean “neutral/maybe” rather than “no” in general. (As further evidence,
there were many cases of people crossing out ones they do not support, which was not true
with the overland paths.)
C B A
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Crosswalks
CIRCLED CROSSED OUT BLANK
RSG 55 Railroad Row, White River Junction, Vermont 05001 www.rsginc.com
5
4. Bicycle accommodations on White St and Patchen Rd
Option 1: On-Road Bike Lanes
o Short-term
o No need to move curb; just restriping
o Very little cost
Interpretation:
High approval for bike lanes!
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
White St Patchen Rd
On-Road Bike Lanes
YES MAYBE NO
RSG 55 Railroad Row, White River Junction, Vermont 05001 www.rsginc.com
6
Option 2: Protected bike lanes
o More inviting to people of all ages and abilities
o Must move curb and use more ROW
o More expensive; long-term
Comments:
Several respondents (two of whom said “maybe” and
one of whom said “yes”) pointed out that this is a long-
term solution.
Interpretation:
People seem to really like the idea of protected bike
lanes but are concerned about the money/space
associated with it.
Possible White Street layout (50-foot ROW)
Possible Patchen Road layout (66-foot ROW)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
White St Patchen Rd
Protected Bike Lanes
YES MAYBE NO
RSG 55 Railroad Row, White River Junction, Vermont 05001 www.rsginc.com
7
NEIGHBORHOOD STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Comments:
One person expressed concern about maintenance of painted streets (and voted “no” to
them).
One person expressed concern about maintenance of planting strips (and voted “maybe” for
them).
Two people pointed out that there are currently no lampposts to put banners on (but both
voted “yes”).
Patrick pointed out that the main goal here is to calm or discourage traffic, especially on
White Street.
Interpretations:
Ideas with the highest approval (based on “yes” responses) are: median refuge islands, a
neighborhood welcome sign, colored/patterned crosswalks, lamppost banners, and public
art.
No ideas had majority “no” answers. The most “no” answers for a given idea were 3 (of 11
responses), and these were for painted streets and mini roundabouts.
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Neighborhood Street Improvements
YES MAYBE NO BLANK
RSG 55 Railroad Row, White River Junction, Vermont 05001 www.rsginc.com
8
Median: Suggestion lanes:
Painted streets: Pedestrian refuge island:
Pinch point: Tighten curb radii:
Fun crosswalks: Welcome sign:
Banners: Mini roundabouts:
Planted strips: Fun bike racks: Art:
RSG 55 Railroad Row, White River Junction, Vermont 05001 www.rsginc.com
9
AIRPORT DRIVE IMPROVEMENTS
Short term (Airport Drive not reconstructed)
Option 1: White St and Delaware St open; all others closed
Option 2: White St, Delaware St, and Elizabeth St open
Option 3: White St, Delaware St, and Patrick St open
Option 4: White St and Delaware St open, Elizabeth St and Patrick St one-way pair
Option 5: White St and Delaware St open, Elizabeth St and Patrick St loop
Option 6: White St and Delaware St open, Elizabeth St and Patrick St loop with joint
connection to Airport Dr
Comments:
Two respondents pointed out that
the decision should be based on
the opinions of residents of this
area.
Two respondents supported the
idea of trials.
Patrick would “like to make it easy
for the neighborhood to get out to
their arterials. Also, slow/calm
traffic on White St with mini
roundabouts, pinch points, etc.”
One respondent said that White
Street should remain open (but
based on spoken comments at the
meeting, this is a common
opinion).
Interpretation:
“Maybes” were very common
answers.
The majority of respondents said
“no” to Option 1, and no one said
“yes” to it.
Two options with uncommonly
high amounts of “yes” answers
(about half of respondents) were
options 4 and 6. Based on this, it seems that people want less traffic on Elizabeth and Patrick
Streets, but that these streets should not be completely closed to Airport Dr.
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
1 2 3 4 5 6
Airport Drive Short-Term Options
YES MAYBE NO BLANK
RSG 55 Railroad Row, White River Junction, Vermont 05001 www.rsginc.com
10
Long-term (Airport Drive reconstructed)
Option 1, 2009 Re-Use Plan: White St closed (connects to Maryland St). Elizabeth St and
Patrick St loop.
Option 2: White St open (connects to new Airport Dr). Elizabeth St and Patrick St loop
Comments:
The same respondents who said that White
Street should remain open and that traffic
calming is important on White Street
repeated these opinions here.
Interpretation:
Based on the worksheet responses and what
CNAPC members said at the meeting, it
seems that Option 2 is preferred because
White Street stays open.
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
1 2
Airport Dr -Long-Term Options
YES MAYBE NO
Summary of Civic Improvement Worksheet Reponses from CNAPC Meeting #12 (March 16, 2016)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
CNAPC Responses
Yes Maybe No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
All Responses (CNAPC + Public)
Yes Maybe No
Summary of Worksheet Responses from CNAPC Meeting #13 (April 13, 2016) ‐ Transportation ImprovementsLow HighCrosswalk White St @ Airport Pkwy $1k $3k Vtrans TA 82% High Short Term 100%Crosswalk Patchen Rd $4k $6k Vtrans TA 82% High Short Term 83%White St $5k $10k92%Patchen Rd $4k $9k100%Airport Drive $4k $8k100%Airport Pkwy $2k $5k100%Bike Lanes / Suggestion LanesHanover St / Richard Ter $3k $5k Vtrans TA 95% / 59% High Short Term 58%Streets already narrow; already bike‐friendlyOne‐Way Streets Elizabeth / Patrick $0 $1k Local 64% Medium Short Term 58%Ask residentsOverland Paths TBDTypical: $2kWith Bridge: $50kTypical: $5kWith Bridge: $100kLocal 86% Medium Medium Term 67%Crosswalk with Median Williston Rd "C" $10k $20k Vtrans TA Medium Medium Term 67%Pedestrian Refuge Island Airport Pkwy/Kirby Rd $8k $10k Local 91% Medium Medium Term 75%Whimsical Crosswalks TBD $5k $10k Local 82% Medium Medium Term 58%Make sure not slippery when wetCurb Radii Reduction White / Cottage Grove $10k $12k Local 77% Medium Medium Term 67%Sidewalk White St $400k $650k Vtrans TA 68% Medium Medium Term 67%Medians Victory Dr $8k ea $10k ea Local 68% TBD Medium Term 8%UnnecessaryPinch Points Victory Dr $10k ea $14k ea Local 64% TBD Medium Term 8%UnnecessaryJoint Connection Elizabeth or Patrick $100k $150k RPC‐TIP 68% Low Long Term 58%Ask residents. Doesn't seem popular among CNAPCRealignment Airport Drive $12M $20M RPC‐TIP Medium Long Term 100%Increase priority?Protected Bike Lanes White St, Patchen Rd TBD TBD Vtrans TA 80% Low Long Term 100%Increase priority?CNAPC Responses (6)ImplementationYes, No, or Maybe?If "No" or "Maybe", Why? (and any other notes)On‐Road Bike LanesVtrans TA 95% High Short TermImprovement LocationCost EstimateFunding Source Approval Score Priority
Final Report on Public Involvement
Chamberlin Neighborhood Project, South Burlington, Vermont
Attachments
Public Meetings
(Flyer, Postcard, Agenda, Notes, Meeting Evaluations, Media Clips)
• Public Meeting #1: May 27, 2015
• Public Meeting #2: April 28, 2016
• Public Meeting #3: June 7, 2016
Public Comments
The Study is funded by the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) and the City of South
Burlington. In accordance with provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the CCRPC
and the City will ensure that public meeting sites are accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for
free interpretive or translation services, assistive devices, or other accommodations should be made to
Emma Long, CCRPC Title VI Coord., at 802-846-4490 ext.21 (711 for Telecommunications Relay Services), or
elong@ccrpcvt.org, at least 72 hours in advance.
Chamberlin Neighborhood Project
Shaping Your Community’s Future
What’s the future of the
Chamberlin Neighborhood?
Share your hopes and dreams with us.
Wednesday, May 27th, 6:30-9:00PM
Chamberlin School, White Street
What’s the future of the Chamberlin
Neighborhood? Come share your
hopes and dreams with us!
FREE Lasagna Dinner and Childcare
www.ccrpcvt.org/chamberlin
Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting
Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 6:30PM
Chamberlin School, White Street, South Burlington
www.ccrpcvt.org/chamberlin
1) Welcome (6:30) Paul Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning
2) Introduction to the Chamberlin Neighborhood Planning Project (6:35-7:00)
Carole Schlessinger, Crosby | Schlessinger | Smallridge; Bob Chamberlin, RSG;
Gene Richards, Burlington International Airport
3) Small Group Work (7:00-8:30)
Each table will address four themes:
A) What’s In & Around Our Neighborhood: Land Use and Open Spaces
B) Urban Form: Physical Character & Landmarks
C) Mobility: Walking, Biking, Driving, Transit
D) Airport Master Plan
4) Report Back from Small Group Work (8:30-8:55)
5) Thank you, Next Steps, and Adjourn (8:55-9:00)
A special thanks to the South Burlington Parks and Recreation Department for
arranging childcare and to Marco’s Pizza for providing an affordable dinner.
Chamberlin Neighborhood Airport Planning Committee (CNAPC) Members
Linda Brakel
Patrick Clemins
Marc Companion
Tracey Harrington
Lisa LaRock
George Maille
Pat Nowak
Kim Robison
Walden Rooney
Carmine Sargent
Karsten Schlenter
Greg Severance
John Simson
Chamberlin Neighborhood Study Contacts
Lee Krohn, CCRPC Project Manager
802-733-7788 / lkrohn@ccrpcvt.org
Bob Chamberlin, Senior Director, RSG
802-861-0516 / robert.chamberlin@rsginc.com
5/26/15
110 West Canal Street, Suite 202
Winooski, VT 05404
802.846.4490
www.ccrpcvt.org
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #1 Meeting Notes - Page 1
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Airport Area Transportation-Land Use Study
Community Meeting #1 Meeting Notes
DATE: Wednesday, May 27, 2015
TIME: 6:30-9:00 PM
PLACE: Chamberlin School, White Street, South Burlington
PRESENT: Please see end of document
Paul Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning for South Burlington, welcomed everyone and provided
a brief overview of the Chamberlin Neighborhood Airport Area Transportation-Land Use Study. A
presentation was made by Bob Chamberlin of RSG, Carole Schlessinger and Skip Smallridge of
Crosby | Schlessinger | Smallridge, and Gene Richards of the Burlington International Airport. The
presentation highlighted the study’s goals and objectives, existing and future land use, zoning,
historic resources, development patterns, transportation facilities, and the airport’s vision. The
presentation also included discussion of the study process, outreach, and schedule. The
presentation is available at: http://www.ccrpcvt.org/transportation/corridors/chamberlin/public/
After the presentation, participants worked in small groups to answer the following questions:
1. What Are Your Positive Visions for Your Neighborhood?
2. What’s In & Around Our Neighborhood: What types of uses and amenities would you like to
see in your neighborhood?
3. Urban Form: Physical Character & Landmarks: What are sightlines, landmarks, architectural
characteristics, streetscape characteristics that are important to protect and/or create?
4. Mobility In and Around the Neighborhood: How can we be sure everyone can get where they
want and need to go safely using all modes of transportation?
5. Airport Master Plan: Are there elements of the Airport’s Master Plan that can benefit the
Chamberlin neighborhood? Are there elements that are missing, that you’d like to see? What
are the best ways for the neighborhood to interface with the Airport?
Facilitator: Corey Mack
1. Positive Visions for Your Neighborhood: Affordability, good schools!, neighborhood, like to
watch aircraft.
2. What’s In/Around Our Neighborhood: Open space, dog park! (limited lease?). What to do with
the houses that are bought out? Pocket park?
3. Urban Form: Stores in walking distance or other services, streetscape, sidewalks/bike lanes
(judiciously, not necessarily all roads). Civic space for public use to enhance the culture, repurpose
the school? Something to block backyards (screening) as homes come down – fencing, flowering
shrubs like Burlington waterfront. It would be nice to remove airport traffic from neighborhoods.
Traffic pressures from Essex Junction (Lime Kiln Road) and Williston. Appreciation of the small
neighborhood feel, but recognize the development pressures that come with change and airport
expansion.
4. Mobility: Keep busses in our neighborhood – maybe smaller? Bike lanes, bikepaths, sidewalks,
not necessarily on all roads, but on the more busy roads. Pedestrian connections between streets
that are otherwise cut off.
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #1 Meeting Notes - Page 2
5. Airport Master Plan: Interesting opportunity with planned hotel and off ramp (14N). Would work
well with rezoning or form-based code along corridors. It doesn’t have to be big/ugly /industrial,
could be integrated and provide services to airport visitors (hotel, restaurant, etc.). What about
12B? When the houses come down, what happens to the noise; will it travel further? Street lights,
particularly where houses are being removed. Reduce through traffic and speed. Lines on main
roads with bike lanes, narrow lanes to slow traffic. “Gateway” neighborhood within neighborhood
and maintain identity.
What We Don’t Want to See: Nightclub, something incompatible with our neighborhood. Is BJ’s
moving in near Williston Road?
What We Do Want: Multi-use civic space, network of paths through/near open space.
Key Issues: Traffic. Reduce cut-through traffic volume and speed; provide more opportunity for
bus/walk/bike. Make the neighborhood less conducive to through travel.
Facilitator: Skip Smallridge
• When F-35 comes will homes still be in residential zoning or will noise zone eliminate more
homes? No rezoning no more loss of homes.
• Widen Airport Drive – multi-lanes both ways, trees and wide sidewalks with landscaping on both
sides.
• 14N – new interchange directly to 89 from Airport Drive to alleviate traffic on Williston Road.
• Open up Picard Circle to make a new entrance to expanded dog park.
• Sidewalk around Chamberlin School
• Bus stops – shelters with benches.
Facilitator: Paul Conner
1. Positive Visions for Your Neighborhood: Marshy creek just to west, Patchen Road major walking
area, lots of chances to meet people. Some dangerous places. Speeding. Missing sidewalks. Lots of
trees. Difficult to cross Patchen to Jaycee. Mid block crosswalks not all working. School centrally
located. Park near Williston Road- beautiful; not known. Very few crosswalks on Williston Road.
2. What’s In/Around Our Neighborhood: Smaller neighborhoods, fewer cars, cute homes. Very
different feel from Hayden; more together, more homey vs. “put together,” more community. Side
item – Ruth/Heath a cut through.
3. Urban Form: Airport Parkway sidewalks on both sides. Bus shelters. Increase parking at Jaycee.
Would really like to keep neighborhood.
4. Mobility: Worried about worst case of corporate buildings@ 65 area. But, some buffer buildings
OK – a balance. Green space, pool, community center. Balance. Trails, community gardens, cookout.
Like idea of straightening road; returns Airport Parkway to neighborhood. Safety on 116. Protect
and enhance. CCTA access. Access and safety for bikes/peds in and around neighborhood to parks,
streets, other areas. Move Patchen/Airport Parkway/White back to being neighborhood streets.
Airport Road and White Street = stoptional.
Facilitator: Carole Schlessinger
1. Likes/Dislikes/General Thoughts: Positives: Residential and no stores/shops in middle of
neighborhood, quiet streets, expand Airport Drive to Airport Parkway, Chamberlin School (i.e.
Neighborhood school). Negatives: Growth of Airport Parkway and White Street, uncertainty in
future plans for neighborhood.
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #1 Meeting Notes - Page 3
Long-Term Vision: Residential neighborhood (including Chamberlin School), no more airport
purchase of land/no more buy-backs, less noise, linkage of neighborhood to City Center, keep
Chamberlin School as a community asset (community center, etc.).
2. What’s In/Around Our Neighborhood: Commercial properties on Williston Road are close
enough, don’t need more or smaller versions in neighborhood. Concerns about potential zoning
along Airport Road/Parkway – no commercial, preference is open space. No desire for additional
roads. Pedestrian cut throughs. More park space. More social space – future of Chamberlin School?
Pre-school, teen center, senior activities, etc. Some higher density residential (townhouses along
Williston Road would be okay).
3. Urban Form: Sidewalks NOT an issue, save for routes to school for kids. Moon rising down White
Street. Dog park further away from Airport security fence. Evergreens/cedars/lilacs to landscape
airport land. Keep commercial buildings used and maintained (prevent eyesores). Mix of developed
and undeveloped open space. Hockey/Hockey rink (outdoor). Observation/picnic area for watching
planes take off and land.
4. Mobility: Too much traffic on White Street – it really divides the neighborhood – especially
commercial shipping/trucks. Traffic calming like flashing speed limit signs. Parallel street to Williston
Road to ease traffic on Williston. Bike path extending from White Street to Patchen to Dorset.
Shelters for public transit. More dead end streets at Airport Drive NOT a bad thing (Patrick and
Elizabeth).
5. Airport Master Plan: Airport Drive extension to Airport Parkway!!! More certainty and follow-
through on plans. Continue improved public outreach from airport. Turn unused roads on airport
property into open space.
Summary: Keep neighborhood residential. Connect Airport Drive to Airport Parkway. Decrease
traffic on White Street. Streets for land deal? Continue recently improved community-Airport
dialogue. Bike path connectivity off of Williston (White Street connector). School/community center
and park space. Connectivity to City Center.
Facilitator: Charlie Baker/Christine Forde
1. Positive Visions for Your Neighborhood: Residential is affordable – more owners, less rentals.
Parks. Safe walkability – sidewalks need to be improved, winter is really bad, better plowing.
Noiseland – open park land. Less commercial traffic through/in neighborhood. Disconnect
residential streets from Airport Parkway. Natural noise buffers.
2. What’s In/Around Our Neighborhood: Don’t need corner store. Dog park plus more park there.
Park land. Like school here. Noise mitigation with landscaping and house sound mitigation. Walking
paths, bike path/trails to connect to existing. School community center. Continue sidewalk down
Patchen.
3. Urban Form: Keep small houses with big backyards. Minimize subdivision of existing. Lights shine
on houses. Better street lighting. Traffic calming. Not have White Street be a through street.
4. Mobility: Bike routes (Kennedy to Chamberlin). Sidewalks passable in winter. Bike lanes. Transit
route improvements and link to St. Mike’s. Reduce parking on lawns. Bike/ped. connection to
Holiday Inn/Williston from Kirby.
5. Airport Master Plan: Mulch might be killing trees in front of airport (too much mounding). 14N
would help. Looping of residential streets would be good. 12B would help. Look at neighborhood
connection to Airport Parkway-Essex if connected to minimize through traffic. Preserve view from
White Street over airport. Potential of buildings as noise mitigation. Move taxiway east away from
neighborhood. Noise mitigation. Why do helicopters fly in/out so low over neighborhood?
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #1 Meeting Notes - Page 4
Facilitator: Bob Chamberlin
1. Positive Visions for Your Neighborhood: Home values increasing. Keep the single family home
spirit. Feels like “urban renewal” on Patrick Street – safety issue on Airport Drive. Minimize through
traffic (traffic engineering study) on Gilbert Street (used to be a dead end). GPS is evil. Meaningful
NOISE mitigation. Ground run-up enclosures = GREs. Walkability – repair what we’ve got instead of
building new, paths, winter maintenance.
2. What’s In/Around Our Neighborhood: Parks, garden plots, and open space. Small scale shops,
retail, well maybe not… Meaningful sound mitigation, open space nice but no sound mitigation.
More cul de sacs (sacre bleu!). Can we get better access to the open space? How about a sign
showing where the park is? Streetlights (LED).
3. Urban Form: Big trees. Vistas of Mt. Mansfield – no utility poles. Front gardens. Curbs. Can we
use the ROW differently on White Street? Front yards with porches (unanimous) – City landlords no
porch (removable porches – loophole in the land use regulations). Identity = eg. Sign for Mayfair
Park.
4. Mobility: Maintain the sidewalks – no new ones. Better signs into and out of the airport. Do we
really need to charge for very short term parking? Better signs to the cell phone lot. Expand Airport
Drive to 3 or 4 lanes. Get airport traffic off of White Street. Poor visibility on White Street. Weird
and unsafe White/Airport Drive intersection. Gene loves biking. Safer biking on Williston Road.
5. Airport Master Plan: We like the airport’s parkway idea, but the details… How about a big old
fence for noise? Auto Noise Report System (ANRS) in the 2006 NCP.
Facilitator: David Grover
1. Positive Visions for Your Neighborhood and 2. What’s In/Around Our Neighborhood:
Watching planes take off at the dog park. Neighbors – very social, everyone knows each other,
friendly atmosphere. Walking. Accessible to downtown/Interstate. Grocery store, post office in
walking distance. Close to future City Center. Bus transportation is accessible. Relatively safe in
terms of crime – could use more street lights. Walk to airport. Nice big trees, established, small
Vermont feel. Big back yards and gardens. Wildlife in the ravines, open space, paths. A sense of
home after being here a while. Becoming a more diverse neighborhood in age and ethnicity.
3. Urban Form: Size of front yards – don’t have telephone poles, don’t need more sidewalk/curbing.
Most streets are walkable. Some streets have open streets (few cars parked). With more renters
there are more people parking on street – dangerous and changes the character of the
neighborhood. BIA employees sometimes park on street. Would like parking for residents only.
Airport patrons park on street – unwelcome. Scale of neighborhood (lot size, house size, etc.)
4. Mobility: Access of major regional arteries (15, 7, 2, I-89). Patchen Road near Grove Street
development, is too restricted for neighborhood traffic – worried about SD Ireland development
traffic. Would like to see a cut through to Airport Drive to Airport Parkway to connect them so
people don’t have to use roads through neighborhoods. Good sidewalk on Patchen & Williston,
plowed regularly. Bike lanes on Williston Road aren’t used – bikes on sidewalks. Pedestrian
crossings on Williston are very dangerous. Can’t take a left out of Mills on to Williston – a light
would fix this problem. U-turn at Elizabeth and Patrick will cause more traffic on Peterson, etc.
Planners put people on Williston Road to airport, causes two problems: all of these people end up in
the neighborhood and very difficult to turn onto Williston Road. Routing traffic from I-89 to
Kennedy instead of Williston would help. There’s a bigger issue where the area is too congested at
peak times, cant’ get out of neighborhood; need to circumvent this traffic somehow. Williston Road
back to 4 lanes so that people will take Williston Road (some disagreement).
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #1 Meeting Notes - Page 5
5. Airport Master Plan: Keep it green, keep trees, bushes, etc. Bring in community activities like a
farmers’ market and arts. Keep it natural, not landscaped. Consider a wildlife corridor to direct
animals around airport. Skeptical that a noise wall will mitigate noise from planes above. Bike
paths/walking paths in this area similar to what is in front of airport now. Airport does a good job
maintaining property and paths – keep it up! Hate to see this school close if the F35 comes in.
Parking garage already took the view of the mountains. Do not want a hotel in the area of the
housing. Route traffic to Kennedy Drive from Whale’s Tails on I-89. Can smell jet fuel in the right
wind.
Take Away: Keep the character of the neighborhood the way it is – just the right size, friendly
neighbors, safe, bikeable, walkable, needs street lights. Problems from airport patrons and
employees. Remove all through traffic. Keep integrity of the neighborhood by reducing cut
through traffic, keep it walkabout and bikeable, keep the natural feel of BIA acquired land –
keep the trees, bring in community activities (farmers’ market), and provide walk/bike paths.
Facilitator: Cathyann Larose
1. Wish List: Nice space (park/garden) when you leave airport – welcoming features (fountain).
Garden spaces throughout neighborhood (community gardens), pedestrian connections between
different parts of the neighborhood (easements?). Reduce the number of streets that connect to
Williston Road (ex. Elizabeth, Patrick Streets) – dead end streets. Benches in parks. Sidewalks.
Issues to Solve: Traffic on White Street (check GPS directions?). Commuters frustrated by Williston
Road backups at PM rush hour. Parking on Elizabeth Street – employees, pickups, travelers – correct
signage/policy. Keep old tree growth. Lighting on streets is dim and not safe. Sidewalks, difficult
accessibility. Connections to Jaycee. Multi-age parks, pocket parks, don’t need to be large and
overly programmed. Red light near school.
Character: Must keep welcoming, family friendly, quiet, limited traffic, maturity of
landscaping, convenient, mixed demographics. Like corner stores. Land use – like bordering
commercial. Access to Kinney Drug/south side of Williston Road. Would like neighborhood to
be large and cohesive, currently street-based. Bus shelters on Williston Road and White
Street. Airport Road has too much parking on road.
Communications with Airport: Currently 8 out of 10, was 0. Use Front Porch Forum. House
demolition plan communications was 10 out of 10! Excellent. “Community-driven”
community outreach/initiative is important and it works. Keep it up! Remember that not all
residents use computers.
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #1 Meeting Notes - Page 6
Participants
Rick Brown
Marie Friedman
Amanda Hanaway-Corrente
Erin Knapp
Nic Longo
Patrick Clemins
Marc Companion
Bill Keogh
George Maille
Pat Nowak
Carmine Sargent
Karsten Schlenter
Tracey Harrington
Elizabeth Allen
Jordan Armstrong
Dave Auer
Linda Bailey
Liz Bossi
Walt Bourdieu
Eileen Bouvier
Bob Bouvier
Lucy Boyajian
R Brice
Collie Chambers
Jean Chaulot
Judy Cohen
Meg Collins
LouRhea Dattilio
Eva Diner
Leo Duncan
Lonnie Edson
Meaghan Emery
Megan Goyet
Anna Johnston
Kim Lane
Loretta & Steve Marriott
Kit Mercure
Randy & Patty Miller
Kathy Murphy
Amanda Northrop
Bob Nowak
Kara Paige
Emily Porter
Dave Robinson
Walden Rooney
Janice Schwartz
Ephram Schwartz
Joanne Seguin
Chris Shaw
Gary Shepard
Catherine Sicard
Barbara Sirvis
John & Eleanor Slattery
Margaret Sunderland
Maida Townsend
Bernie Paquette
Paulie & Gordon Lawrence
Clayton & Gail Holmes
Chuck & Pam Opferman
Facilitators
Charlie Baker, CCRPC
Bob Chamberlin, RSG
Paul Conner, City of South Burlington
Christine Forde, CCRPC
David Grover, RSG
Lee Krohn, CCRPC
Cathyann LaRose, City of South Burlington
Corey Mack, RSG
Diane Meyerhoff, Third Sector Associates (Logistics)
Carole Schlessinger, Crosby | Schlessinger | Smallridge
Skip Smallridge, Crosby | Schlessinger | Smallridge
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #1 Meeting Notes - Page 7
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #1 - Chamberlin School
Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 6:30-9:00 PM
8 Responses Received
1. How did you hear about the Meeting? (check all that apply)
a) Email from Friend/Colleague 1
b) Email from Sponsors 1
c) Email from Other
d) The Other Paper 6
e) City/CCRPC Website
f) Front Porch Forum 1
g) Mailed Flyer 1
h) Posted Flyer
i) Burlington Free Press 1
j) Seven Days
k) Television
l) Other: CNAPC Member: 1; Neighbor: 1
2. Please rate the following aspects of the meeting:
Aspect Fantastic Very Good Good OK Poor Terrible
Welcome & Presentation 2 5
Small Group Work 2 4 1
Wrap-up 1 3 1
Physical facilities for this event 3 4
Amount of time allowed for input 4 3
Overall value of this event to you 1 4 3
Comments:
• Thank you – Made things clearer and good collaboration!
• Useful discussion
• Having small group discussions with a facilitator was great!
• Good idea to gather together area residents – well organized and executed!
3. Anything else you’d like to share with us?
• North end of Patchen Road goes to severely constricted streets in Burlington. Has already passed
reasonable capacity.
• Reroute Airport traffic. Interstate exchange (new) at Whales Tails, north to Kennedy, up to
Kennedy, to Airport. Full exchange for truck traffic.
• Make wildlife corridor landscaping along new road on west side of airport (with bike path and
sidewalks and widened road).
• Scrap 12N idea for interstate exchange.
• Don’t over plan the area where houses are removed – leave trees, flowering bushes, everything
that blocks noise. Add paths, community gardens. Address new traffic routes between Williston
Road and Route 15, Patchen Road and Colchester Ave.
• Please keep our neighborhood zoned residential.
• Would like to know what revenues via taxes South Burlington accrued and lost because of bought
out residents. Also there is no way to mitigate noise – let’s be realistic. Clearly homes and
businesses in SB and surrounding communities are in “noise swath” on ground and in air!
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #1 Meeting Notes - Page 8
Chamberlin Neighborhood Project – Community Meeting Comment Form
May 27, 2015, 6:30PM, Chamberlin School
Topic: What’s In & Around Our Neighborhood - Land Use and Open Spaces
• Continuation of dog park. Keep a good balance with open space.
Topic: Urban Form - Physical Character & Landmarks
• Small mom & pop store, possible civic center/community center, screen backyards with
flowering shrubs. Move traffic away from residential area.
• The change in Williston Road for bikes between Hinesburg Road/Kennedy Drive. Can we
have it voted on to change it back?
Topic: Mobility - Walking, Biking, Driving, Transit
• Bike lanes on through network; continuation of city bus – maybe smaller; pathways between
dead ends – so as to not have to walk all the way around the street, better line markings on
main streets.
Topic: Airport Master Plan
• Hotel @ airport; possible restaurants; aesthetically pleasing, coordination with City Center;
12B and 14N exits, network of paths for walking; extra lighting along streets.
• As long as a through way is built to take the traffic away from the neighborhood it would
help to keep our homes quiet and safe.
The Study is funded by the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) and the City of South
Burlington. In accordance with provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the CCRPC
and the City will ensure that public meeting sites are accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for
free interpretive or translation services, assistive devices, or other accommodations should be made to
Emma Vaughn, CCRPC Title VI Coordinator, at 802-846-4490 ext. *21 (711 for Telecommunications Relay
Services), or evaughn@ccrpcvt.org, at least 72 hours in advance.
Chamberlin Neighborhood Project
Shaping Your Community’s Future
What’s the future of the
Chamberlin Neighborhood?
Share your hopes and dreams with us.
Thursday, April 28, 2016, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Chamberlin School, White Street
Come share your feedback on potential
neighborhood improvement ideas!
www.ccrpcvt.org
Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #2
Thursday, April 28, 2016, 7:00PM
Chamberlin School, White Street, South Burlington
http://www.ccrpcvt.org/our-work/transportation/current-projects/corridors-
circulation/chamberlin-neighborhood-planning-project/
1) Welcome (7:00) Paul Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning
2) Introduction of CNAPC* Members and Comments from the Chair (7:10-7:25)
3) Chamberlin Neighborhood Planning Project Strategies & Committee Concepts
(7:25-7:45) Bob Chamberlin, RSG
4) Poster Session – Feedback on Committee Concepts (7:45-8:45)
5) Thank you, Next Steps, and Adjourn (8:45-9:00)
Next Community Meeting: Tuesday, June 7, 2016, 7PM, Chamberlin School
*CNAPC: Chamberlin Neighborhood Airport Planning Committee
Chamberlin Neighborhood Airport Planning Committee (CNAPC) Members
Linda Brakel
Patrick Clemins
Marc Companion
Tracey Harrington
Lisa LaRock
George Maille
Pat Nowak
Kim Robison
Walden Rooney
Carmine Sargent, Chair
Karsten Schlenter
Greg Severance
John Simson
Chamberlin Neighborhood Study Contacts
Lee Krohn, CCRPC Project Manager
802-733-7788 / lkrohn@ccrpcvt.org
Bob Chamberlin, Senior Director, RSG
802-861-0516 / robert.chamberlin@rsginc.com
4/18/16
CHAMBERLIN-AIRPORT NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC MEETING 28 APRIL 2016
The South Burlington Chamberlin/Airport Study Committee held a public meeting on
Thursday, 28 April 2016, at 7:00 p.m., in the Gymnasium of Chamberlin School, White Street.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: C. Sargent, Chair; K. Robinson, G. Maille, L. LaRock, J. Simson,
P. Nowak, K. Schluter, W. Rjooney, G. Severence
ALSO PRESENT: P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; L. Krohn, C. Forde, CCRPC; B.
Chamberlin, S. Smallridge, C. Schlessinger, Consultants; E. Allen, N. Anderson, M. Ashton, T.
Barritt, W. & C. Boardmen, E. & B. Bouvier, L. Boyajian, R. Brice, T. Chittenden, E. Clark, N.
Corron, E. Diner, S. Dooley, L. Edson, M. Emery, D. Finnegan, M. Goyet, T. Gravelin, A. Hanaway-
Corrente, R. Hubbard, M. John, M. Jonswold, R. Joy, E. Malone, L. & S. Marriott, K. Mercure, A.
Morton, J. Nolin, R. Nowak, C. Orfe, B. Paquette, R. Plumley, S. & D. Quennelle, J. Rasewski, S.
Reid, G. Shepard, C. Sheppard, C Sicard, M. Sunderland, C. Thompson, M. Townsend
1. Welcome:
Mr. Conner welcomed members of the public and reviewed the history of funding for a
committee to focus on ideas for the future of the Chamberlin-Airport neighborhood. He then
introduced the committee Chair, Carmen Sargent.
2. Chamberlin Neighborhood Airport Planning Committee Remarks:
Ms. Sargent asked members of the Committee to introduce themselves. She then explained
that the Committee was created by the City Council a year ago because of quality of life issues
in the neighborhood. The Committee meets once a month with consultants. A number of
residents also attend meetings. Ms. Sargent cited help from City Planner, Paul Conner, and
from Lee Krohn of the Regional Planning Commission.
The Committee has three main goals: strengthening the neighborhood, creating walkable
streets, and addressing noise mitigation. To address noise issues, a noise sub-committee was
formed. Their report will be presented at the next community meeting in June. Tonight’s
meeting will focus on transportation.
Ms. Sargent noted that it is the Committee’s hope that the City Council will create a “standing
committee” to continue to address issues in this neighborhood.
CHAMBERLIN NEIGHBORHOOD AIRPORT PUBLIC MEETING
28 APRIL 2016
PAGE 2
3. Consultants’ Presentation:
Mr. Chamberlin of RSG cited the work of the Committee to come up with improvements for the
community. These improvements fall into 3 categories: transportation improvements and civic
improvements, and institutional arrangements. Mr. Chamberlin drew attention to posters
around the room based on ideas from people in the neighborhood.
The project has three main objectives:
a. To establish an on-going process for a dialog with the Airport
b. To develop a neighborhood land use transportation plan
c. To submit recommendations to the City Council
The next meeting of the Committee will be on 11 May. The next community meeting will be on
7 June at which the final plan will be presented.
Mr. Maille noted that the Committee is discussing a “noise committee” which would survive the
present committee. He also stressed that land acquired by the Airport has limited use.
Mr. Chamberlin then asked members of the audience to view the displays and to provide
feedback.
4. Community Feedback:
Members of the audience provided feedback as follows:
An audience member questioned the Airport Drive display and did not understand the
configuration of the second diagram, whether it was a possibility for the present of for the
future. Mr. Conner explained that this is the Airport’s plan, not the city’s plan. The vision is for
2030 and beyond. The Airport is considering an Interchange directly into the Airport. There is
another version of this that is less complex. Both are long-term visions. Mr. Conner added that
the city does have a vision of connecting Airport Parkway and Airport Drive. This is also a long-
range plan. The cost for such a project would range from $12,000,000 to $20,000,000.
CHAMBERLIN NEIGHBORHOOD AIRPORT PUBLIC MEETING
28 APRIL 2016
PAGE 3
Mr. Chamberlin noted that the top graphic indicates suggested street closures, which is a short-
term vision. There is some agreement on the CNAP Committee regarding those closures.
An audience member expressed an interest in seeing the study for connecting Airport Parkway
and Airport Drive. Mr. Conner said there will be 2 additional community meetings in the next
few weeks. An Airport meeting in June will have that study as will the next CNAP community
meeting.
Ms. Nowak asked Mr. Conner to explain the ownership of roads.
Mr. Conner said all roads in the neighborhood are owned by the City of South Burlington except
the drive into the Airport for dropping off passengers. Anything to do with those roads is a city
decision made through the City Council. A connector road would involve the Airport as an
adjacent property owner. Ms. Sargent noted that because Airport Drive accesses the Airport,
federal money can be obtained for a project that involves that road. Mr. Conner said this
would depend on the type of project as there are different “pots” of money.
A community member asked about the road closures going into Elizabeth and Patrick Streets on
Plan B.
Ms. Sargent said the Airport wants to close both streets, but they are still on the Airport Master
Plan and probably won’t happen soon. Mr. Conner said there are options to try something and
see how it works. Ms. Sargent said one aim is to get “cut-through” traffic out of the
neighborhood. She noted that most of that traffic is going to the Airport. Mr. Chamberlin
added that there is also a goal of having fewer curb cuts, which would reduce potential accident
points. There are several driveways being closed down.
Mr. Conner stressed the need to always consider “unintended consequences” of an action and
whether traffic would affect a different street if a street were to be closed. He also stressed
that the aim is to have safer neighborhood streets with cars going slowly when they should be
going slowly.
A resident felt that Williston Road traffic could be kept moving by making it back to 4 lanes
instead of having drivers going through the Chamberlin neighborhood to avoid Williston Road.
CHAMBERLIN NEIGHBORHOOD AIRPORT PUBLIC MEETING
28 APRIL 2016
PAGE 4
Another community said Williston Road is very scary where it goes into one lane, with big cars
cutting off smaller cars. She asked why Williston Road was changed to allow this to happen.
Mr. Conner said there was a transportation study done to improve safety, and this was
considered. There were pros and cons, and the City Council decided that a center turn lane and
slow lanes with bike lanes was safer.
A resident wanted to see more bike lanes through the neighborhood and neighborhood
greenways.
Another community member noted that since Williston Rd. was changed, traffic backs up from
Gracey’s to Lacy’s, and there are over 320 cars an hour on White Street, some of them going in
excess of 50 or 60 miles an hour. Crossing guards have almost been hit many times by people
who refuse to stop.
Mr. Conner said they are trying to think creatively about bringing neighborhood streets back to
being neighborhood streets and to make streets feel like a place to go slowly. Mr. Chamberlin
noted that White Street is a very straight street. He thought bike lanes might make it seem to
be a street to go slower on.
Ms. Sargent noted there is a plan to change how White Street goes onto Williston Road by
making it a 4-way intersection at Midas Drive. Mr. Conner said the city is in the design phase of
that plan.
A resident asked for more enforcement of speeders. He noted a “nifty” STOP sign on Tilley
Drive and suggested one for this area.
Ms. Nowak said the City Council is very concerned with traffic on White Street, but trying to
control traffic is an issue. The city is getting new units to monitor car speeds, and this may be
helpful.
Mr. Paquette spoke in favor of a bike lane instead of a second sidewalk on the north side of
White Street. He also suggested benches at viewpoints and a boardwalk along Centennial
Brook Ravine.
CHAMBERLIN NEIGHBORHOOD AIRPORT COMMUNITY MEETING
28 APRIL 2016
PAGE 5
Ms. Dooley asked how successful the amenities could be. Mr. Simson cited a “library”
established in the Southeast Quadrant that is very successful. He cited it as something a
community can do without government help. Mr. Conner added it is also a great way for
neighbors to meet neighbors.
Mr. Conner thanked members of the public for attending and reminded them of the next
community meeting in June.
Mr. Conner also reminded the community of Green Up Day on 7 May. Bags on picked up trash
can be brought to City Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
As there were no further questions or comments, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
___________________________________
The Study is funded by the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission (CCRPC) and the City of South
Burlington. In accordance with provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the CCRPC
and the City will ensure that public meeting sites are accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for
free interpretive or translation services, assistive devices, or other accommodations should be made to
Emma Vaughn, CCRPC Title VI Coordinator, at 802-846-4490 ext. *21 (711 for Telecommunications Relay
Services), or evaughn@ccrpcvt.org, at least 72 hours in advance.
Chamberlin Neighborhood Project
Shaping Your Community’s Future
Tuesday, June 7, 2016, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Chamberlin School, White Street
Weigh in on the Draft
Neighborhood Improvement Plan
as the planning process
comes to its conclusion
www.ccrpcvt.org
Photos courtesy of Lee Krohn
Chamberlin Neighborhood Meeting Questions? Contact Diane at 802-865-1794 www.ccrpcvt.org Tuesday, June 7, 2016, 7:00PM Chamberlin School, White Street Weigh in on the Draft Neighborhood Improvement Plan as the planning process comes to its conclusion Chamberlin Neighborhood Meeting Questions? Contact Diane at 802-865-1794 www.ccrpcvt.org Tuesday, June 7, 2016, 7:00PM Chamberlin School, White Street Weigh in on the Draft Neighborhood Improvement Plan as the planning process comes to its conclusion Chamberlin Neighborhood Meeting Questions? Contact Diane at 802-865-1794 www.ccrpcvt.org Tuesday, June 7, 2016, 7:00PM Chamberlin School, White Street Weigh in on the Draft Neighborhood Improvement Plan as the planning process comes to its conclusion Chamberlin Neighborhood Meeting Questions? Contact Diane at 802-865-1794 www.ccrpcvt.org Tuesday, June 7, 2016, 7:00PM Chamberlin School, White Street Weigh in on the Draft Neighborhood Improvement Plan as the planning process comes to its conclusion
Chamberlin Neighborhood Study Public Meeting - June 7, 2016 Chamberlin Neighborhood Study c/o Third Sector Associates 60 Blodgett Street Burlington, VT 05401 Chamberlin Neighborhood Study Public Meeting - June 7, 2016 Chamberlin Neighborhood Study c/o Third Sector Associates 60 Blodgett Street Burlington, VT 05401 Chamberlin Neighborhood Study Public Meeting - June 7, 2016 Chamberlin Neighborhood Study c/o Third Sector Associates 60 Blodgett Street Burlington, VT 05401 Chamberlin Neighborhood Study Public Meeting - June 7, 2016 Chamberlin Neighborhood Study c/o Third Sector Associates 60 Blodgett Street Burlington, VT 05401
Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #3
Tuesday, June 7, 2016, 7:00PM
Chamberlin School, White Street, South Burlington
http://www.ccrpcvt.org/our-work/transportation/current-projects/corridors-
circulation/chamberlin-neighborhood-planning-project/
1) Welcome (7:00)
2) Introduction of CNAPC* Members and Comments from the Chair (7:10-7:25)
3) Overview of the Evening, Bob Chamberlin, RSG (7:25-7:40)
4) Poster Session – Feedback on Committee Recommendations (7:40-8:30)
5) Debrief, Thank you, Next Steps, and Adjourn (8:30-9:00)
*CNAPC: Chamberlin Neighborhood Airport Planning Committee
Chamberlin Neighborhood Airport Planning Committee (CNAPC) Members
Linda Brakel
Patrick Clemins
Marc Companion
Tracey Harrington
Dave Hartnett
Bill Keogh
Lisa LaRock
George Maille
Pat Nowak
Kim Robison
Walden Rooney
Carmine Sargent, Chair
Karsten Schlenter
Greg Severance
John Simson
Chamberlin Neighborhood Study Contacts
Lee Krohn, CCRPC Project Manager
802-733-7788 / lkrohn@ccrpcvt.org
Bob Chamberlin, Senior Director, RSG
802-861-0516 / robert.chamberlin@rsginc.com
5/25/16
110 West Canal Street, Suite 202
Winooski, VT 05404
802.846.4490
www.ccrpcvt.org
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #3 Meeting Notes - Page 1
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Airport Planning Project
Community Meeting #3 - Meeting Notes
DATE: Tuesday, June 7, 2016
TIME: 7:00-9:00 PM
PLACE: Chamberlin School, White Street, South Burlington
PRESENT: Please see end of document
1) Welcome
Cathyann LaRose, South Burlington City Planner, welcomed everyone. She announced that the City
is sponsoring a webinar viewing on Friday. The webinar, “Airport Use and Noise Compatibility,” is
sponsored by the American Planning Association.
2) Introduction of CNAPC Members and Comments from the Chair, Carmine Sargent
Members of the Chamberlin Neighborhood Airport Planning Committee (CNAPC) were introduced.
Carmine Sargent, Chair, explained that the Committee was formed specifically for the improvement
of the neighborhood. Over the past eighteen months, the Committee took charge and worked
together very well. The end goal, to develop recommendations to be considered by the Planning
Commission and City Council, will be presented tonight.
3) Report of the Noise Subcommittee
(the presentation is available at: http://www.ccrpcvt.org/transportation/corridors/chamberlin/public/
George Maille, Chair of the Noise Subcommittee, explained that the subcommittee was formed to
provide all interested parties an on-going permanent forum to address airport noise and other
related issues. The subcommittee communicates the community’s concerns and strives to
understand the resources available to address those concerns.
A priority recommendation of the subcommittee is that an Airport Noise Advisory Commission be
formed to help move preliminary recommendations of the subcommittee forward. The new
Commission would consist of nine members (three appointed by the City of South Burlington and
one each from the Cities of Burlington and Winooski, the Town of Williston, and one representative
each from BTV, VTANG, and ANG). Meetings would be held at least quarterly and be comprised of
residents and other interested parties, particularly those who have relevant technical experience.
The Commission would provide input and/or initiate action whenever changes are made to airport
plans and airport operations. The Commission would collect technical information on noise
monitoring and mitigation and serve as a conduit between the airport and the surrounding
communities. The Commission would support open communication and transparency.
Other recommendations of the subcommittee include: participate in the FAA noise compatibility
program; provide education on the sound insulation program; study the health effects of noise;
conduct noise monitoring and assessment; develop noise mitigation strategies; conduct land use
planning and zoning; and develop a community emergency plan.
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #3 Meeting Notes - Page 2
Pat Nowak, CNAPC member, noted that the CNAPC will continue after the consultants’ work is
done (end of June). The group hopes to address the impact of home purchasing on the community.
In the past, home purchases were done in secret and the committee feels the discussion needs to
come out in the open. The CNAPC is looking for new participants and it is a great opportunity to
discuss community issues early in the process.
4) Summary of Key Recommendations of the CNAPC
Bob Chamberlin of RSG explained that the objectives of the CNAPC were to: 1) establish a process
for productive dialogue between the Chamberlin Neighborhood and the Airport; 2) facilitate
development of a neighborhood land use/transportation plan; 3) identify multimodal
transportation connections/improvements; and 4) develop a vision for the neighborhood that can
help shape the re-use of “acquisition land.” The CNAPC developed a series of recommendations, to
be discussed tonight, that will be considered by the Planning Commission and City Council.
Bob explained that the draft recommendations were developed over the past year by fifteen
committee members with input from three community meetings. The recommendations fall into
three time frames: short term (0-3 years); medium term (3-7 years), and long-term (8+ years).
There are 21 Priority Recommendations (11 short-term, 8 medium-term, 2 long-term).
Prioritization was done based on CNAPC and community input, project “readiness,” professional
opinion (city staff, consultant team), identified project leadership (a “champion”), and estimated
cost. Each of the recommendations is depicted on a poster and everyone will have a chance to
weigh-in on the recommendation during the Poster Session.
5) Poster Session
Participants reviewed the five posters, asked questions, and left comments by placing sticky notes
on the posters. A sixth poster was a sign-up sheet for people to get involved with four of the
recommendations.
A) Neighborhood-Wide Transportation Improvements
“Remove travel agency to make direct connect from White St. to Midas Drive”
Install crosswalk on Williston Road at intersection of Midas Drive
“Change Williston Rd back to 4 lanes??” x3
“Where are speed bumps?”
“More sidewalks along streets”
“More street lights along Airport Dr and White St and Williston Rd”
“Does crosswalk interfere w/ turn lanes for Mills Ave + Victory?” [sticky-note placed at
recommended Williston Rd crosswalk]
“Rename the streets – Airport Drive, Airport Road, Airport Pkwy”
“Are there other locations on Williston Road that are being considered for a crosswalk?”
B) White Street Transportation Improvements
“Add 4th crosswalk at White and Patchen”
“Would speed bumps on White St be feasible?”
“Put portable sign in crosswalk. School guard is plagued by speeders!” [sticky note placed at
photo of portable radar speed sign]
C) Neighborhood-Wide Civic Improvements
“On the property between Mills and Victory Drive – I would like to see this area stay as
natural as possible. A 21 foot path is enough I would think for a natural area. Please leave
the woods alone.”
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #3 Meeting Notes - Page 3
“Residents need to be reminded that their takeover and clearance of land would be only
paid for with tax dollars is not a practice that should be condoned.” [handwriting not
completely legible]
D) Long Term Improvements
“I’m all about a 2 lane roadway for Airport Drive.”
“Just noticed green line is going thru properties that aren’t in acquisition zone – that we
know of”
E) CNAPC Noise Sub-Committee
“Including large lawn mowers used to cut grass on acquisition property. Noise is noise!”
“Form airport - Air Force - noise advisory – Eva Dwier, 19 Duval St 658-4214”
F) Let’s Get Started! (Sign-Up Poster)
A sixth poster was a sign-up sheet for people to get involved with four of the recommendations.
Neighborhood Issues Group: Linda Brakel, Carmine Sargent, Carl Thompson, Karen Johnson
Neighborhood Welcome Signs: Pat Nowak, Gail Holmes
Overland Paths and Centennial Brook Boardwalk: Bernie Paquette, Bob Chamberlin
Pocket Parks: Kim Lane
6) Debrief/Questions & Answers/Next Steps
All the comments received tonight will be collected and evaluated. Some of the comments will
likely be issues that we’ve already discussed; other will be new and we will address them in the
final report. The CNAPC will review a final list of prioritized recommendations at their meeting on
June 16th. After that meeting, the recommendations will be forwarded to the City Council.
Bernie Paquette suggested that the neighborhood have a celebration “ChamberHood.” Pat Nowak
agreed, especially since the neighborhood has started to recover from last summer’s house
removal. She suggested a neighborhood BBQ on airport land.
Meaghan Emery thanked everyone who worked on the project. She is inspired by this diverse
group coming together, facing tough problems, taking ownership, working collaboratively, and
taking initiative to find solutions. Bernie appreciates the neighborly tone of the public meetings.
Carmine talked about the increase in transparency and the importance of keeping the momentum
going. George Maille feels the neighborhood is no longer a victim of the Airport and City of
Burlington.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #3 Meeting Notes - Page 4
Draft Implementation Plan June 7, 2016 Short Term Improvements (<3 years)
Low High
1 Portable Radar
Speed Signs White St (2)City Transportation
Budget (I) SB DPW
FPF announcement from SB
DPW; email feedback to SB
DPW
2 White St
3 Patchen Rd
4 Airport Drive
5 Airport Parkway, White
St to Lime Kiln
City Transportation
Budget/Vtrans TA
(P) SB Bike/Ped
Committee; (E) SB DPW;
(I) SB DPW
FPF/City Website/OP
request for stakeholders;
email/FPF updates
6 White St @ Airport Pkwy $1k $3k City Transportation
Budget (P, I) SB DPW
FPF announcement from SB
DPW; email feedback to SB
DPW
7 Patchen Rd @ Jaycee
Park $4k $6k City Transportation
Budget (P, I) SB DPW
FPF announcement from SB
DPW; email feedback to SB
DPW
8 Whimsical
Crosswalks TBD $5k $10k Local
(P) SB P&Z staff, SB
Bike/Ped Committee; (E)
SB Bike/Ped committee,
neighborhood volunteers
(if any); (I) SB DPW
SB P&Z Staff solicit
volunteers through
neighhborhood email, FPF,
OP; email feedback to SB
Bike/Ped Committee;
OP/FPF announcements
thereafter
White St/Patchen Rd
White St west of
Acquisition Land
Mills Ave/Williston Rd
Logwood/Airport Rd
Kirby Rd/Patchen Rd
Kirby Rd/Airport Pkwy
10 Front Porch
Zoning All residential streets Homeowner
SB P&Z Staff (Schedule
w/ SB PC); SB PC (review
& hearings); SB CC (final
public hearing &
approval)
OP/FPF announcement of
agenda item & times;
neighborhood email for
scheduled meetings/ public
hearings
11 Fences & Hedges
in Public ROW All residential streets Property Owner
(P) SB P&Z and DPW
staff schedule with SB PC;
SB P&Z, DPW staff
develop policy; SB PC
recommends to CC; CC
adopt policy
FPF/City Website/OP
announcement, email to
neighborhood of PC
meetings, times; email
feedback to P&Z staff;
FPF/City Website/OP and
email to neighborhood of
CC meeting, time
Local lead; (P) SB P&Z
staff; (E) SB P&Z staff,
neighborhood volunteers
(if any); (I) SB DPW
SB P&Z Staff solicit
volunteers through
neighhborhood email, FPF,
OP; OP/FPF
announcements thereafter
-
Varies
Crosswalk-
durable
materials
9 Neighborhood
Welcome Signs $1k $3k Local/Neighborhood
On-Road Bike
Lanes
Negligible City Transportation
Budget
(P) SB Bike/Ped
Committee; (I) SB DPW
FPF announcement from SB
DPW; email feedback to SB
DPW
Included in Airport
Parkway Sidewalk
Project
Priority Improvement Location
Cost Estimate
Funding Source
Project
Leadership/Coordinatio
n
Communication Pathways
FPF: Front Porch Forum
OP: The Other Paper
Already purchased
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #3 Meeting Notes - Page 5
Medium Term Improvements (3-7 years)
Low High
12 Crosswalk with
Median Island
Williston Rd west of Rec
Path $15k $25k Vtrans TA (P, E, I) SB DPW
FPF announcement from SB
DPW; email feedback to
DPW
13
Overland Paths,
Centennial
Boardwalk
TBD
Typical:
$2k
With
Bridge:
$50k; With
Boardwalk
: $75k
Typical:
$5k
With
Bridge:
$100k;
With
Boardwalk
: $100k
Local/Neighborhood
Local lead; (P) SB P&Z
Staff schedule with SB
Bike/Ped Committee; (E)
SB Bike/Ped Committee;
(I) SB DPW NOTE
Overland Paths within
the neighborhood would
require local
coordinating
group/committee to be
the Lead.
(P) OP/FPF announcement
of Bike/Ped Committee
agenda items & times,
soliciting volunteers; email
feedback to Bike/Ped
Committee; (E, I) FPF
announcements from DPW
14 Airport Parkway
Sidewalk Airport Pkwy $1.2
million
$1.5
million Vtrans TA
(P) SB Bike/Ped
Committee,
stakeholders; (E) SB
DPW, stakeholders; (I) SB
DPW
FPF/City Website/OP
request for stakeholders;
email/FPF updates;
feedback to Bike/Ped
Committee (P) and SB DPW
(E, I)
15 Kirby Road $16k $24k
16 White Street $16k $24k
17 Near Cemetery $16k $24k
18 White Street
Sidewalk White St $400k $650k Vtrans TA
(P) SB Bike/Ped
Committee; (E) SB DPW;
(I) SB DPW
SB P&Z Staff solicit
volunteers through
neighhborhood email, FPF,
OP; email feedback to SB
Bike/Ped Committee;
OP/FPF announcements
thereafter
19 Pedestrian Scale
Lighting White Street $650K $850k Local
(P) SB Bike/Ped
Committee,
stakeholders; (E) SB
DPW, stakeholders; (I) SB
DPW
FPF/City Website/OP
request for stakeholders;
email/FPF updates;
feedback to Bike/Ped
Committee (P) and SB DPW
(E, I)
Project
Leadership/Coordinatio
n
Communication Pathways
FPF: Front Porch Forum
OP: The Other Paper
Pocket Parks at
Vistas to
Mountains
Local, RPC-TIP, FAA,
BTV
(P) SB P&Z staff, SB
Bike/Ped Committee; (E)
SB Bike/Ped committee,
neighborhood volunteers
(if any); (I) SB DPW
FPF/City Website/OP
request for stakeholders;
email/FPF updates;
feedback to Bike/Ped
Committee (P) and SB DPW
(E, I)
Priority Improvement Location
Cost Estimate
Funding Source
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #3 Meeting Notes - Page 6
Long Term Improvements (8+ years)
Low High
20 Reconstruction Airport Drive $12M $20M RPC-TIP
(P, E, I) SB DPW and
Bike/Ped Committee
with Vtrans, stakeholder
group
FPF/OP/City website and
email to neighborhood
soliciting stakeholders at
outset; FPF/OP and
stakeholder information
program as part of project
21
Multi-Use Trail
Through
Acquisition Land
Acquisition Land near
Airport Parkway $1.3M $2.7M Local, RPC-TIP, FAA,
BTV
(P) SB Bike/Ped
Committee, BIA
representatives,
stakeholders; (E) SB
Bike/Ped Committee, BIA
representatives, SB
DPW, stakeholders; (I)
BIA/SB DPW
(P, E) FPF/OP/City website
and email to neighborhood
soliciting stakeholders at
outset; email feedback to
Bike/Ped Committee; (I)
FPF/OP updates, feedback
to SB DPW
Project
Leadership/Coordinatio
n
Communication Pathways
FPF: Front Porch Forum
OP: The Other Paper
Priority Improvement Location
Cost Estimate
Funding Source
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #3 Meeting Notes - Page 7
Participants
Meaghan Emery
Richard Brice
Norma Corron
Eva Diner
Leo Duncan
Lonnie Edson
Dan Finnegan
John Haslett
Karen Johnson
Anna Johnston
Miranda Jonswold
Martin LaLonde
Kim Lane
Robert Nowak
Bernie Paquette
Rhey Plumley
Sheila & Don Quenneulle
Sheila Reid
Joanne Seguin
Barbara Sirvis
Margaret Sunderland
Carl Thompson
Clayton & Gail Holmes
Stephanie &
Patricia Reilly
John & Mary Slattery
Chamberlin Neighborhood Airport Planning Committee (CNAPC)
Linda Brakel
Marc Companion
Tracey Harrington
George Maille
Pat Nowak
Walden Rooney
Carmine Sargent
Greg Severance
Kim Robison
John Simson
City Staff
Cathyann LaRose, City of South Burlington
CCRPC Staff
Christine Forde, CCRPC
Lee Krohn, CCRPC
Consultants
Bob Chamberlin, RSG
Roxanne Meuse, RSG
Diane Meyerhoff, Third Sector Associates (Logistics)
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #3 Meeting Notes - Page 8
South Burlington Chamberlin Neighborhood Community Meeting #3
Tuesday, June 7, 2016, 7:00PM – 15 Responses
1. How did you hear about the Meeting? (check all that apply)
a) Email from Friend/Colleague 3
b) Email from Sponsors 4
c) Email from Other 0
d) The Other Paper 9
e) City/CCRPC Website 1
f) Front Porch Forum 4
g) Mailed Flyer 4
h) Posted Flyer 1
i) Burlington Free Press 0
j) Seven Days 0
k) Facebook 2
l) Other: word of mouth
2. Please rate the following aspects of the meeting:
Aspect Fantastic Very Good Good OK Poor Terrible
Welcome & Presentation 1 5 3 3
Poster Session 3 5 2 2
Wrap-up 0 4 2 2
Physical facilities for this event 2 7 3 2
Amount of time allowed for input 2 5 4 2
Overall value of this event to you 1 7 3 3
Comments:
Good format.
Glad to see some positive ideas from the 18 months of work by the committee.
Excellent presentation on airport noise as far as general guidelines. Same with poster session.
Committee did a great job.
I almost always agree with anything that will help our neighbors.
Concerns about multi-use path going through properties that, as far as I’ve followed, are not in zones to be purchased.
Confused about that. They responded the line was skewed. I like Bernie’s idea of celebration.
Really appreciate being notified!! Thank you!
More concern over Chamberlin closing.
Still need Williston Road to return to 4 lanes to take traffic pressure off White Street. White St. traffic is damaging to
walkability of neighborhood.
This was a good meeting!
Great meeting – thank you!
3. Anything else you’d like to share with us?
We need to be ever more mindful that any free space or open space needs to be monitored so that residents don’t
encroach on property and that personnel is available to oversee the maintenance of said free spaces. F35 not
mentioned once. Yeah! Good meeting!
Would like more specifics on noise reduction after all I have heard talk over 25 years. Like connections within
neighborhoods but still not comfortable with bikepaths on Williston Road, White Street, and Patchen Road.
We do have a nice neighborhood and would like to show it off to our neighbors within.
Thank you for your work. Is there a place to get copies of the posters at this latest meeting?
We can spend time and money on walking paths, etc. and down the road the airport will decide they have other ideas
for acquired land.
Really like the pathway planned for the modified/moved part of Airport Drive/Airport Parkway. Really like the new
sidewalks and bike paths planned for the neighborhood. But still scared to bike down White St. Really like idea for
proposed Noise Committee, good membership plan.
I am mainly interested in moving F16 away from Burlington and not to get the F35s.
Like to know what happens in future BEFORE things are set in stone.
Chamberlin Neighborhood Project – Public Comments – Page 1
Chamberlin Neighborhood Project – Public Comments Received
From: Loretta Marriott
Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2016 9:29 AM
To: Diane Meyerhoff
Cc: Paul Conner; Lee Krohn; Charlie Baker; Eileen Andreoli; Ray Gonda; Monica Ostby; Pat Nowak; Kim
Lane; Corona; Carmine Sargent ; Sandy Dooley
Subject: Re: Chamberlin Neighborhood Mtg., 4/28, 7PM, Chamberlin School
Hi Diane, Thank you for your response.
Regarding the fragmentation that I mentioned. There are many aspects to that. One piece that I wonder
if you might address is the inclusion of surrounding communities in the invitation to this meeting. For
example, other South Burlington neighborhoods, Winooski, Williston and other municipalities, VTANG
and VT Army Guard. We are at our best when we are all informed and working together.
Thank you, Loretta
From: Loretta Marriott
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2016 10:24 PM
To: diane@thirdsectorassociates.com
Cc: Paul Conner; Lee Krohn; Charlie Baker
Subject: Re: Chamberlin Neighborhood Mtg., 4/28, 7PM, Chamberlin School
Greetings Diane,
Re: Community Meeting #2: Thursday, April 28, 7:00-9:00pm
The quote below is from the CCRP website.
“The neighborhood has witnessed significant change in recent years, in part due to a voluntary home
acquisition by the Airport to address noise compatibility issues under FAA regulations. Through this and
related programs, over 100 homes have been acquired by the Airport on a “willing buyer-willing seller”
basis and families have relocated. The homes themselves are in the process of being removed, but
uncertainty remains over existing and future acquisitions, and what will happen next upon the land
when those homes are removed.”
On 3/30/16 I sent Gene Richards and Nicolas Longo an email message with the following question about
the Noise Land Reuse Plan “What do you plan to do about roadway closures (streets) on which residents
currently live?”
Nicolas responded “We are working with each resident with each individual plan to help relocate and
look towards the future.”
It would seem that a resident who sees a map / plan that shows a road going through their home might
feel some pressure, to relocate. (That was diplomatic!)
In fact, I know from firsthand experience that some homeowners have been most distressed about
selling their homes to BIA.
Chamberlin Neighborhood Project – Public Comments – Page 2
Anyone who leads the upcoming “lively session featuring map posters” would be wise to be aware that
despite the soothing language emanating from BIA, there are some frayed nerves among the
Chamberlin Neighborhood residents.
You may also be aware that there is much discussion from the South Burlington School Board about
closing Chamberlin School due to noise and other issues. This would be devastating to our
neighborhood.
Despite the attempt by interested parties to frame the various BIA / neighborhood issues in a
fragmented manner, the Chamberlin Neighborhood experience is holistic. There is much emotion
surrounding the way we are being treated.
I urge you to bring clear, comprehensive, honest information to this meeting.
Thank you.
Loretta Marriott
13 Mills Ave