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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 01/17/1972SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 17, 1972 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting in the Conference Room of the City Hall on Monday, January 17, 1972. Chairman Stearns called the meeting to order at 7:30, and started with the Salute to the Flag. MEMBERS PRESENT Chairman Raymond E. Stearns, Frederick G. Blais, Walter Nardelli, and Kenneth W. Jarvis. MEMBERS ABSENT Doctor Harold P. Brown OTHERS PRESENT William J. Szymanski, City Manager; Richard Ward, Zoning Administrator; Richard Carter, Police Chief; Fire Chief Monell, Highway Foreman Audette, Mrs. Stella O'Brien, Kathleen and Maureen O'Brien, Anne-Marie Nicholas, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ryan, Donald Davie, Allan Remick, William J. Chepulis and Richard Backiel of the South Burlington Jaycees, Mrs. Duncan Brown, Mr. and Mrs. J. Henderson Barr, Charlotte C. Marsh, Kay Neubert, Gordon L. Wright, George Smith, Franklyn McCaffrey and Doctor C. Gluck. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA Chairman Stearns asked if there were any additions to the agenda. Mr. Jarvis requested to have item 6 (Jaycee Resolution) considered as the first item on the Agenda, and also to add as item 7 discussion of Mrs. Piche's memo of January 5, 1972, noting that this was her second memo to the Board and that she had received no comment. Mr. Szymanski, City Manager requested the addition of item 8, to place on the special election a ballot for consideration of a three year term for the City Clerk, and item 9, the request of Constable Don Lavalette to hold all future elections in the Middle School instead of in the High School for residents who live in the City's District 11-2. The Council unanimously agreed to the above additions to the agenda. READING OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF JANUARY 10, 1972 Councilman Nardelli made a motion to accept the minutes of January 10, 1972 as read. Mr. Jarvis seconded the motion which passed unanimously. RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING JAYCEE WEEK Councilman Jarvis stated that President Nixon has proclaimed the week of January 17 to 22, 1972 as National Jaycee Week, and read the following resolution for adoption by the City Council: R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, the City of South Burlington recognizes the Jaycees and its creed for service to humanity, and WHEREAS, the City of South Burlington wishes to encourage the principles of Jayceeism to build unselfish leaders to serve its community, state and nation, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Burlington Council joins with the officials of all other Municipalities in proclaiming the week of January 17 to 22, 1972 as National Jaycee Week. SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL Councilman Jarvis motioned to approve the resolution. Mr. Nardelli seconded the motion which was voted unanimously. CONSIDER THE REQUEST FOR THE EXTENSION OF ROUTE 116 VIA THE LIME KILN BRIDGE TO ROUTE 15 IN COLCHESTER Chairman Stearns read in full the advertisement of a public meeting to consider the above as follows: The South Burlington City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, January 17, 1972 at 7:30 P.M. at City Hall on Williston Road to consider the request of a private citizens group to petition the State Highway Board for relocating and extending State Route 116 northerly via Old Farm Road, Kennedy Drive, Airport Drive, White Street, Airport Parkway, the Lime Kiln Bridge, Lime Kiln Road and terminating at State Route 15 in Colchester. A condition also being that steps be taken to extend Airport Drive northerly across airport property to Airport Parkway and relocating the route on this connection in lieu of the White Street-Airport Parkway route. Chairman Stearns noted the large number of residents in attendance who were interested in the above item, and said they would begin with discussion from the audience, limiting the discussion to 1/2 hour. Mr. J. Henderson Barr of Old Farm Road, said he was concerned over the request and had two questions: 1. Who is the group of private citizens making the request? 2. What purpose does it fill other than to benefit those south of Old Farm Road? Mr. Stearns replied that the group was made up of those citizens who were interested in opening up Lime Kiln Road and Bridge, and in answer to the second question said the request was not made to benefit those south of Old Farm Road, the route was chosen to by-pass the heart of South Burlington. He also added that the Planning Commission recommended the route. Mr. Barr then pointed out the cost of acquiring property near the Airport, and Mr. Stearns agreed that it could be an expensive proposition. Mrs. Krapcho suggested using Kennedy Drive instead of Old Farm Road, and Doctor Gluck wondered if projected plans for the belt line were taken into consideration. Mr. Stearns said plans for the belt line were not even on the drawing board yet, that it had been projected in many locations and is not designated in the City's Master Plan. REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF ROUTE 116, CONTINUED Highway Foreman Audette wondered where the City would get the money to buy the land on Airport Drive and said it might not be possible to get the property. Chairman Stearns said the matter had been discussed with Airport officials with no decision. Mr. Audette then asked if the advertised proposition would be the only one presented to the State and Mr. Stearns said yes. Mrs. Krapcho noted that we would be taking on the responsibility of working on the bridge, and questioned the cost of constructing the connector. Mr. Gordon Wright of Old Farm Road said the expense of reconstructing that road would be exorbitant, that there were two dangerous blind spots in the road that would have to be changed. Mrs. Stella O'Brien, Mrs. Neubert, Doctor Gluck, Mr. and Mrs. Barr, and others, expressed objections to the use of Old Farm Road citing the residential nature of the area, the expense and the traffic hazards, and wondered about alternate routes. City Manager Szymanski said that accepting Hinesburg Road from Kennedy Drive to Williston Road as City maintenance responsibility would be very expensive because of a bad curve near our Hinesburg Road pumping station. Mr. Audette remarked that it would be cheaper to repair Lime Kiln Road and bridge than to go through all the details of changing routes. City Manager Szymanski pointed out that if the road was made a state aid road the cost of repair of the bridge would be borne 80% by the state, 10% by South Durlington and 10% by Colchester. Mr. Audette said that if the town should petition the state to grant this request Colchester's delay in taking any action regarding Lime Kiln Road and Bridge will be extended. Mr. Davie reported that Judge Hill has promised to meet with engineers this month and to fine Colchester, Colchester could then appeal the fine and matters could be delayed a year or so. Mr. Davie further stated that the purpose of the appeal is not to open Lime Kiln Road, the purpose is to have the route accepted by the state. Mr. Barr said that the route proposed would result in a five corner intersection, a dangerous arrangement. Mrs. O'Brien reminded the Council of the curves on each end of Old Farm Road which were deliberately constructed to slow down traffic. Mr. Stearns said the curves would have to be improved. Mr. Brown, of Old Farm Road, wanted to know who would reimburse the residents if their wells were knocked out due to the blasting necessary for road construction. Mr. Audette answered that the contractors were insured for such damages. Richard Carter, in answer to questioning by Chairman Stearns in regard to his recommendation on the change from a safety point of view, said Old Farm Road was not designed for heavy traffic as was Kennedy Drive, and from his experience in watching the traffic on Old Farm Road felt Old Farm Road was definitely out of the question. After further discussion along the same lines Chairman Stearns closed the discussion to the floor and asked for comments from the Council. REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF ROUTE 116, CONTINUED Councilman Nardelli said he was opposed to the request because the disadvantages far outweighed the advantages as follows: The large number of children residing on the street. Difficulty in constructing the road because of the steep ledges. Danger to children walking to and from school on a busy road. The proximity to Chamberlin School. The fact that the plans for airport expansion are not known. The feeling that South Burlington should not assume Colchester's responsibilities. Councilman Blais also spoke of his opposition to the request, saying it was as bad a plan as he had ever seen, that it was Colchester's problem to open the Road and bridge, and he would not waste the Highway Department's time. Councilman Nardelli made a motion to turn down the petition. The motion was seconded by Mr. Blais and the vote was unanimous to reject the petition. DISCUSSION ON THE SPECIAL MARCH 7th ELECTION FOR THE CREATION OF A REGIONAL VALLEY PARK AUTHORITY City Manager Szymanski read from a letter from Attorney Ewing which outlined the reasons according to state statutes for voting simultaneously with other towns and cities on the creation of the Winooski Valley Park Authority, and told the Council that a special election would cost approximately $400. He was instructed to ascertain if volunteer help could be used to work at the polls and the Council agreed that the pay of the Board of Civil Authority for this special election should be waived. Mr. Szymanski also requested that consideration of the City Clerk's term being increased to a three year term be voted on at the special election, explaining that it must be acted upon before the Clerk can run for a three year term in May. SPECIAL MARCH 7TH ELECTION, CONTINUED Councilman Blais said he felt the Winooski Valley Park Authority was a good plan and he highly supported it, and Councilman Jarvis also said he supported the plan. Councilman Nardelli made a motion to have a special election, with all volunteer help, if possible, to vote on the creation of a Regional Valley Park Authority, and also to include the vote on the increase of the City Clerk's term from one to three years, the date to be March 7, 1972. The motion was seconded by Mr. Jarvis and the vote was unimous in approval of passage. FIRST READING OF ZONE CHANGE REQUEST OF PALMER TARNELLI OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, FROM INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT A TO RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT C, ON THE BRAND PROPERTY ON KENNEDY DRIVE. Chairman Stearns read a proposed ordinance for a zone change on Kennedy Drive property from Industrial A to Residential C. Zoning Administrator Ward pointed out the location of the property on a map. Councilman Jarvis asked what a change to Residential C entailed and Mr. Ward said Residential C allowed apartment buildings. Mr. Ward said that Mr. Dietrich, a representative of the developers, was present to explain the plan and Chairman Stearns said that usually the Council did not go into the plans in depth at the first reading, that usually the first reading was approved and forwarded to the Planning Commission for recommendation. Councilman Jarvis said he would like to hear more details of the plan as long as the representative was present. FIRST READING OF ZONE CHANGE REQUEST ON KENNEDY DRIVE PROPERTY - BRAND, CONTINUED Mr. Dietrich explained that Town House type of apartments were being planned for the area with groups of four to six apartments in one section in cluster arrangements with open spaces and green areas. Mrs. Krapcho asked how many units were being considered and Mr. Dietrich said 250 units, constructed in two phases, to accommodate about 600 persons. Councilman Jarvis moved to accept the first reading. The motion was seconded by Mr. Blais, and Mr. Stearns called for a discussion. Councilman Nardelli said he still had objections to zone changes. Mrs. Neubert asked if the Council could formulate a policy concerning zone changes, such as enacting an ordinance to stop all development until the Master Plan is completed. Chairman Stearns said he saw no reason for curtailing hearing any developers, he felt it helped to consider new plans as they provided new ideas and could be incorporated in the Master Plan. Mrs. Neubert continued to voice her objections to any consideration of zone changes until completion of the Master Plan, and Mr. Stearns said all the official groups were meeting frequently and working hard for completion of the zoning map. Chairman Stearns called for a vote on the motion and the vote was three to one in favor of passage of the first reading with Mr. Nardelli casting the dissenting vote. DISCUSSION OF DEPUTY TAX COLLECTORS MEMOS OF OCTOBER 18, 1971 and JANUARY 5, 1972 Councilman Jarvis said he felt that it would be advantageous to have Mrs. Alyce Piche, the deputy tax collector, submit a progress report on tax collections at the meeting of February 7, 1972, and also to have her meet with the Council in Executive Session for discussion of the above memos. REQUEST OF CONSTABLE LAVALETTE TO HOLD ELECTIONS IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL INSTEAD OF IN THE HIGH SCHOOL City Manager Szymanski explained that Mr. Lavalette felt it would be more convenient for all concerned to change the polling place for residents of District 11-2 from the High School to the Middle School. He said this has been cleared with the School Department. Councilman Blais made a motion to approve the change. The motion was seconded by Mr. Jarvis and passed unanimously. On motion duly made, seconded, and passed the Council adjourned the meeting at 9:00 P.M. to go into Executive Session. The Executive Session was adjourned at 11:30 P.M. Approved Walter Nardelli, Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.