Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 09/11/1972SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING September 11, 1972 The South Burlington City Council convened on Monday evening, September 11, 1972, at 7:30 P. M. in the Conference Room at City Hall at 1175 Williston Road for a regular meeting. Chairman Frederick G. Blais called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance. MEMBERS PRESENT MEMBERS ABSENT Brian J. Gee Michael Flaherty Frederick G. Blais Harold P. Brown, Jr. Walter Nardelli OTHERS PRESENT William J. Szymanski, City Manager G. Smith Richard Ward, Zoning Administrator F. C. McCaffrey Clodius Willis Chief Monell Ken Jarvis Everett Allen R. A. Lang Roger Allen Fred Maher Donald O'Brien J. White Ernest Pomerleau Charlotte C. Marsh Arlene Krapcho Jeannie Clermont, Secretary Kay Neubert MINUTES OF AUGUST 21, 1972 COUNCIL MEETING Chairman Blais asked if there were any corrections, deletions, or additions. Mr. Gee said on page 4 down at the bottom where it says Dr. Brown substitute Mr. Gee. Dr. Brown then moved to accept minutes as read. Mr. Gee seconded. Minutes approved. DISBURSEMENTS Chairman Blais reminded the Council members to sign the disbursements. CHARTER CLARIFICATION ON BUDGET LIMITATIONS Chairman Blais asked Mr. Fred Maher to proceed with the discussion. Mr. Maher said it was more of a clarification than an amendment and that a public hearing was proposed for October 15 and then asked when the warning had to be. William Szymanski said it had to be by the end of the week. Chairman Blais then read that it was proposed to amend Section 1309.3, Paragraph 7 to read: "Grand list for the purpose of this charter". This would mean the Grand List as originally estimated in accordance with 1309.4. Chairman Blais "'This charter' is what is new." Mr. Maher said this came about because of lawyers interpreting Grand List in Section 1304 as being different from the Grand List of Section 1309. Mr. Maher said this would enable using the same figure that is set in the spring throughout the year for budgets, etc. Mr. Nardelli asked what figure would be used from this year to next as two figures 600,000 and 609,000 had been set. Mr. Maher said that would be up to the Steering Committee to decide. Chairman Blais asked Mr. Maher to help the Steering Committee set up some rules and regulations and procedures. Mr. Maher said he would. Mr. Szymanski said the important thing was to get the amendment warned and for voting. Chairman Blais said it depended on how important they thought it. He thought it should be on the November ballot. Chairman Blais then asked how they would know who could vote on it. Charlotte Marsh said they put a checkmark to indicate who could vote and who could not. Mr. Gee then moved to accept the proposal to amend section 1309.3, Paragraph 7 of the City Charter. Dr. Brown seconded. Mr. Nardelli asked if they were aware the whole sections had to be written. Mr. Maher said he was not. Motion then unanimously passed. Mrs. Krapcho asked how one goes about bringing up a subject to a City committee. Mr. Nardelli said to present it to them. Mrs. Krapcho asked if the Steering Committee should not have a larger role. Chairman Blais said it could be a problem because the committees were made to sort of balance off. Mrs. Krapcho said they should theoretically be involved. Chairman Blais said they were advisory. Mr. Nardelli asked Mrs. Krapcho to put her request in writing and bring it to the Council as he thought it was a good idea. Kay Neubert said she did not recall seeing very many of the School Board members at other meetings. Chairman Blais said the Council got a copy of the School Board's Minutes and the School Board got a copy of theirs. AMEND THE CITY ROAD OPENING PERMIT TO INCLUDE A FEE FOR REPLACING THE ROAD SURFACE BY THE CITY STREET DEPARTMENT Chairman Blais asked Mr. Szymanski to explain the request. Mr. Szymanski said at present the contractor was responsible for the maintenance of the road. This fee would enable the Street Department to repair the road. Chairman Blais said this would then give control over the quality. Mr. Szymanski said yes. He went on to say that they planned to estimate the square footage in the size of the opening and charge accordingly. Mr. Nardelli asked how the original permit was given. Mr. Szymanski said the contractor has entire responsibility. Mr. Szymanski said they estimated a dollar per square foot. Chairman Blais asked how he arrived at that figure. He said they had considered drainage, adding gravel, coming back and leveling and replacing the surface. He said the estimate would be put on the permit. Chairman Blais said it sounded reasonable but asked that Mr. Szymanski keep track of the actual costs to see that the estimate was correct. Mr. Nardelli then moved to amend the City Road Opening Permit to include a fee for replacing the road surface by the City Street Department. Mr. Gee seconded. Motion unanimously passed. REVIEW THE TAX PENALTY WAIVER REQUEST Chairman Blais asked Mr. Szymanski to explain it. Mr. Szymanski said it involved five items on page 1 amounting to $79.67 and on page 2 an amount of $6.51 or about $86. Dr. Brown moved to accept the tax penalty waiver request. Mr. Nardelli seconded. Motion passed unanimously. DISCUSSION ON CITY AMBULANCE SERVICE Chairman Blais asked Mr. Brian Gee to give his findings. Mr. Gee said a while ago he was asked to check into how much an ambulance would cost to serve South Burlington. He got the assistance of Chief Monell and Keith Marston to assist him and said Mr. Szymanski has the figures. Mr. Szymanski then said that the figures showed $9,600 for the ambulance delivered with a built-in oxygen system, manifold suction system, air conditioning and a folding cot; additional accessories between $3,000 and $4,000 with an annual operating expense between $3,600 and $4,000 per year and insurance $1,200 a year. It would require 42 volunteers, three people per shift on 12-hour shifts. The life of the ambulance was expected to be three years. Chairman Blais said he figured the costs to be between $5,600 and $5,800 per year plus amortization. Mr. Gee said he thought the Federal Government reimbursed a certain amount but he thought this was a one-shot deal. He went on to say that Essex Junction, Richmond, and particularly Waterbury were doing well with theirs with Waterbury being on the plus side of the ledger $5,000. He thought the main thing was to advertise the idea and see what kind of response from the people would be obtained. Mrs. Krapcho asked if the skills and training of the volunteers would be comparable to Burlington's. Mr. Gee said the people would be trained through a 70-hour course. Mrs. Krapcho asked if that was all the training they would have. Mr. Gee said they would go back for refresher courses. Kay Neubert said she thought that would be enough training but wondered if the Council was aware that UVM was planning for a similar service and the State had considered it a duplication of the service. Mr. Gee said he thought it was only for UVM. Kay Neubert said she thought it was worth looking into. Chairman Blais said he thought the point was to have the quality of the service maintained at the lowest cost to South Burlington. Dennis Smith asked how the price was arrived at as it seemed like a lot of money. Mr. Gee said there were other ambulances available at lower prices. Chairman Blais asked if Mr. Gee had contacted Dr. Waller or Henry Gettinger. Mr. Gee had not and would take the suggestion. Charlotte Marsh asked if there would be a doctor on the ambulance. Mr. Gee said there would be just volunteers but the hospital could be reached for professional help if needed. Charlotte Marsh then asked when the contract with Burlington ended. Mr. Gee said June 30, 1973. Mrs. Krapcho asked what were the numbers of cases served during the last year. Chairman Blais said it averages 200 a year. Mr. Gee said another thing was where to keep the ambulance as there was no room in the fire station and mentioned that in Waterbury the man in charge had it with him. Clodius Willis asked if any thought had been given to where the volunteers would stay. Mr. Gee said they had thought of the fire station. He said this and the feasibility of the ambulance had to be further explored. Mrs. Krapcho thought the cost had to be justified in relation to the cost of the 24-hour service of Burlington. Chief Monell volunteered to look further into the matter. Mr. Gee said he thought they had to. Chairman Blais said he wanted to be assured of the quality. Mr. Gee said he thought they could offer better service than Burlington and asked if an advertisement could be put in the paper asking interested South Burlington residents to attend an informal meeting. Chairman Blais said he had no objection as long as it was informational and requested Mr. Gee to get in touch with Mr. Gettinger and Dr. Waller. Charlotte Marsh said they had to keep in mind the 10,000 residents of South Burlington to draw from were in actuality about 7,000 to 8,000 and this might affect the outcome. FINAL READING - REQUEST OF POMERLEAU REALTY FOR A ZONE CHANGE ON THE WESTERLY SIDE OF SHELBURNE ROAD NORTH OF BARTLETTS BAY FROM BUSINESS DISTRICT A TO BUSINESS DISTRICT B Chairman Blais said the Planning Commission had recommended the zone change. He then asked if the Council wanted a full presentation. Mr. Pomerleau said they had changed the office center a little. Mr. Gee asked what is the exterior of the building. Mr. Pomerleau said it was steel aluminum siding with colonial columns and windows. Mr. Nardelli said he objected because approval was based on the fact that it was assumed this area would be zoned District B in the future. Charlotte Marsh said several people had mentioned this fact to her. Dr. Brown said that the Planning Commission was looking forward rather than backwards. Charlotte Marsh said Legislature had to go by the laws on the books rather than those planned. Mr. Gee said he agreed with Walter and Miss Marsh. Clodius Willis asked if they could describe again where the area was. Chairman Blais said by the Mill Brook Bread place and the old Sears Warehouse. Dr. Dennis Smith asked for clarification of District A and District B. Chairman Blais said District A was more limited in its use whereas District B allows for more things. Dr. Smith then asked if there had been any plans for signs. Chairman Blais said this was handled by somebody else. He went on to say that the Council approved the use of the building--the rest was up to the Planning Commission. Dr. Brown said the Planning Commission thought this business would bring in less traffic than a retail business. Mr. Ernest Pomerleau said that although zoned District A there were other wholesale distribution places in the area. Chairman Blais asked if the developer would be willing to assure the architecture as well as the landscaping. Mr. Nardelli thought the point was being lost as this zone could allow outdoor eateries, laundries, or new and used motor vehicle dealers. He said you might as well throw away the book. Chairman Blais said they were being asked to determine if this was a reasonable use. Mrs. Krapcho said it went along with the 1969 Master Plan even though the Plan was not ordained. Mrs. Neubert said they had not seen the new Master Plan and this might be precedent setting. Chairman Blais said it was not as they were evaluating the particular function. Charlotte Marsh said the trucks cutting across traffic would make the area more dangerous. Mr. Ernest Pomerleau said there would only be five trucks a day. Charlotte Marsh said if the business failed no one knew how many trucks would be coming in the replacement. Mr. Pomerleau said he thought the wholesale area would have less traffic than a retail area. Robert Lang asked if it were possible to put a conditional use on the building. Chairman Blais said he did not believe it was. Robert Lang then asked what was the latest word on the Master Plan. Chaiman Blais said he thought they would see it the third week of October. Dr. Smith said he thought the major objection was what might take its place if the business failed. He said he still did not understand the limitations. Mrs. Krapcho said it was a matter of 10,000 square feet for District A and 40,000 square feet for District B. Chairman Blais said he thought the new zoning regulations would take care of that. Dr. Brown then moved to accept the request of Pomerleau Realty for a zone change on the westerly side of Shelburne Road north of Bartletts Bay from Business District A to Business District B. Mr. Gee seconded. Motion passed with Mr. Nardelli voting against passage. FINAL READING - REQUEST OF B.S.S.B. REALTY FOR A ZONE CHANGE AT THE INTERSECTION OF KENNEDY DRIVE AND WILLISTON ROAD, SOUTHWEST CORNER, FROM BUSINESS DISTRICT B, RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT A AND PLANNED DISTRICT TO RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT C Chairman Blais said the Planning Commission had approved the change. He mentioned that this again was approval of a use and that the total plan would have to come again before the Planning Commission before any construction could begin. Donald O'Brien said the initials stood for Benjamin Schore and Stanley Barnes who are the trustees for the trust. Mr. Gee asked about the clubhouse. Mr. Schore said it would be on a hill with a fairly large room for the people of the project to use for various purposes along with saunas for men and women and restrooms. Mr. Gee asked if there would be any sale of alcoholic beverages. Mr. Schore said no. It was mainly an added attraction to get people to rent. Mr. Gee asked if the apartments were condominiums. Mr. Schore said they would be rental apartments. There would be 268 units in all with 96 in the first phase. Mr. Nardelli said he had figured costs of roughly $2,700 highway maintenance, school cost individually $1,000, per unit City government $175. He said the total taxes on $4,800,000 would be about $145,000. He said he figured the costs roughly to be $42,500 for City government total, school costs total $168,000, $2,700 for highways, and this would be about $213,000 in all. He said it would take the taxes on 45 houses in the Laurel Hill area to make up the difference. Mr. Nardelli said he did not object to the project but thought the City could not afford it. He said he had not even taken into consideration the sewer. Dr. Brown said he thought this was a good time to consider costs. He thought this would be taken up with the Planning Commission along with the sewers, water, etc. Mr. Gee agreed with Mr. Nardelli about costs. Mr. Nardelli said he knew a residential project would cost the City something but this would cost the City dearly. Dr. Brown asked if it would be possible to hold a short recess to discuss these factors amongst the members themselves. Mr. O'Brien said he would challenge Dr. Kent's figures if the issue would rise and fall on this. He said they were meeting the requirement of not interfering with Potash Brook; providing the landscaping and to compare it with the typical development would be ridiculous. Also, the Council had to consider the land was worth 200,000 dollars which was quite a substantial addition to the tax figure and there would be no highway maintenance costs because the trustees provided that themselves. He said the project would meet the Environmental Board level and that this was the best use for the land. As far as to costs he thought the developer could best answer that. Mr. Benjamin Schore said they should think not in terms of costs per units but in terms of increments or how much more would this project cost the City. He said he figured the taxes to be around $135,000. Mr. Schore went on to say that most of the bedrooms in the building were in one- bedroom apartments so no children would be in there. Around 108 two-bedroom apartments were available. Mr. Nardelli asked if legally they could prevent people having children in one-bedroom apartments. Mr. Schore said they could. Mr. Schore said that according to a national survey about 12 percent of the people in two-bedroom apartments had children. He asked the Council to consider how many people would have two children in two-bedroom apartments. It was very unlikely. He said figuring at 25 percent at $1,000 per child this would be about $26,000 to $30,000. He added that until the City had to add one more teacher because of the project he was ahead of the game. He said as far as roads were concerned there would be no additional costs to the City. As far as the sewer and water were concerned, the developer would pay for their use. He said that even if the costs of the schools went up he was still adding in excess of $100,000 to the overhead of the City. Dr. Brown asked if the City could handle Phase 5 as well as this project in its present sewer system. Mr. Szymanski said it could but it would cut down the scope. Kay Neubert asked about the density per acre. Mr. Schore said 7.2. Kay Neubert said she thought the area would be more dangerous traffic wise. Clodius Willis asked what made the developer feel there was a need for apartments. Mr. Schore said for one thing just on the basis that a person ought to have a selection of apartments. Mr. Willis then asked what the apartments cost for rent. Mr. Schore said he did not know if that were germane to the issue. Mr. Willis said you should put in apartments people wanted. Kay Neubert said there were always vacancies. Robert Lang said he thought there were other uses for the land. Mrs. Krapcho asked if there were any other similar projects in the area. Mr. Schore said Oak Ridge in Burlington. Kay Neubert said both Georgetown and Village Green were phasing out children. Mrs. Krapcho said most of the other apartments were more than one-bedroom. Kay Neubert said this would be okay if no one else moved into town. Chairman Blais said they were getting on to a question of subdivision. Mr. O'Brien asked if it were possible to table the issue rather than come to a 2 to 2 tie vote. Chairman Blais called a short recess at 9:50 P.M. Meeting reconvened at 10:15 P.M. Chairman Blais said it was not possible to table the subject but the meeting could be adjourned. However, the Council had decided not to do this. Mr. Gee asked of the first phase how many were one-bedroom apartments. Mr. Schore said 60. Mr. Gee then asked when they hoped to begin construction. Mr. Schore said they hoped before snow flies; if not, next spring with an opening in April 1974. They would probably start the next phase the fall of 1974 or the spring of 1975. Mr. Nardelli moved to turn down the request of B.S.S.B. Realty for a zone change at the intersection of Kennedy Drive and Williston Road, southwest corner, from Business District B, Residential District A and Planned District to Residential District C. Motion died for lack of a second. Mr. Gee then moved to accept the request of B.S.S.B. Realty for a zone change at the intersection of Kennedy Drive and Williston Road, southwest corner, from Business District B, Residential District A and Planned District to Residential District C. Dr. Brown seconded. Motion passed with Mr. Nardelli dissenting. Chairman Blais said he wanted to register his objection to anybody trying to influence the Council. Meeting adjourned 10:20 P.M. Clerk (Approved) Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.