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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 04/05/1973SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 5, 1973 The South Burlington City Council held a continuation of a public discussion on the proposed Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance. The meeting was held in the Auditorium of the Central School, 1175 Williston Road. Chairman Blais opened the meeting at 7:55 P. M. MEMBERS PRESENT Chairman Frederick G. Blais, Dr. Harold P. Brown, Michael D. Flaherty, Brian J. Gee and Walter Nardelli. Chairman Blais introduced Dr. Hollister Kent, planning consultant to the Planning Commission. Dr. Kent said he has been working on development concepts for South Burlington since 1959. He said if every acre is eventually developed according to the existing pattern of single family homes on quarter-acre lots, South Burlington would theoretically reach a population of 166,000. He said with clusters of concentrated development it would be possible to retain agriculture, open space and use of the lake. He said Burlington and South Burlington are in the center of the state's major growth area, where there is a major medical center, state university, IBM, and the state's only good airport. Mrs. Neubert asked the City Council if the proposed Master Plan Map with accompanying brief text was to replace the entire Master Plan Book of 1970 with accompanying soil studies and natural resources reports. She asked what Dr. Kent was hired for. Dr. Kent said he was hired to look at the southeast quadrant, but he felt it was imperative to look at other parts of the city. Chairman Blais said he would ask City Attorney John Ewing his opinion on this question. Mrs. Neubert also asked if the answer to the problem of preserving the rural area was to put 20-30 units per acre in the middle of the most congested areas of the city. Dr. Kent said it was not his job to determine where high density growth would occur but rather to outline ideas and concepts such as the "superblock" concept. The superblock concept means a complete unit of development on a large chunk of land where there would be high density development with land around released for recreation, schools, and other social purposes. Mrs. Neubert questioned the location of commercial uses near Woodbine Rd, which is only a two block spread and which cuts the Mayfair area in half and which creates a business zone not presently existing. Mrs. Larson said that according to state statutes the zoning ordinance shall have the purpose of implementing the Master Plan. She said there are discrepancies between the proposed Master Plan and the proposed Zoning Ordinance and felt there should be more coordination between the two. Chairman Blais said this point has been made by several parties and he said adjustments will be made where there are significant discrepancies. Mr. Fayette expressed concern that the city's existing zoning ordinance expired March 23, 1973, five years after the adoption in March 23, 1968, and that the city should approve at least temporary zoning. Mr. Behney said he believed the legislature had approved an extension of one year. Chairman Blais said he would check on it. Dr. Kent said the results of the 1972 questionnaire showed that basically residents of the city wanted to contain growth. Mr. Yankowski said the 1970 Master Plan projected a population of 20,000 by the year 1999. He asked Dr. Kent if resources would be endangered if the population went beyond the projection. Dr. Kent said that more population pressure means more corrective action or a deterioration in the quality of life. In response to a question by a member of the audience Dr. Kent said that citizens wishing to contain growth have to speak up, and vote accordingly on bond issues for extension of public facilities. He advised citizens to purchase land along the lakeshore with help from the state. Mr. Danis asked why the proposed zoning is not accompanied by a report of capital outlay for schools, sewers and other public expenses, as called for by State Statute. Chairman Blais said it was an enabling rather that a mandatory provision. Councilman Flaherty said he had figures which showed that R20 would be the most costly zone to the city. Dr. Kent commented that Councilman Flaherty's figures took into account Public education and maintenance of highways but not capital expenditures such as sewer lines. A member of the audience asked why the superblock concept was being applied in the Southeast Quadrant. Dr. Kent replied the concept depended upon a professional planner on staff, and upon development being done as a unit, not piecemeal. Chairman Blais said in all cases, the developer would provide all services, which would be a limiting factor on the by-laws. Mr. Duncan Brown commented that he didn't want to see unadulterated growth. He hoped the public would be concerned with coping with growth and would give officials tools and support. He asked that the impact of zoning on neighboring towns be given consideration. Dr. Kent said regional factors were considered in the preparation of the proposed Master Plan and zoning. Mr. Gordon Wright expressed concern about the burden that further commercial development would place on highways in the city. Dr. Kent said the pressures on Shelburne and Williston Rds, are a result of the roads having to handle local, regional and tourist traffic and of not having controlled accesses. Dr. Kent said Shelburne Rd. ought to be replaced by a limited access highway on the eastern border of the city, and that some of the existing accesses should be shut off. A member of the audience asked that the agricultural Southeast Quadrant be retained, as he felt it was the nicest feature of the city and it may be important for life support in the future. Mrs. Guilford asked how the city could legally limit the population of the city. Dr. Kent said growth could be slowed down by not extending services and by purchasing land and by zoning. Mr. Tudhope, Chairman of the Planning Commission, said that the proposed state Land Capability Plan speaks to the problem of controlling the rate of growth. The plan proposes that zoning may impose conditions upon development which reflect consideration for demands and costs of public services and tax revenues. He said a solid capital projection program is essential and influences the rate of growth. Councilman Nardelli said the Planned Unit Development allows supportive services in many areas of the city. He questioned the concept of having numerous superblocks. He said supportive services accelerate growth. Councilman Brown questioned if there would be sufficient manpower in the future to maintain the farms in the city, even if the farms were encouraged to remain. Mr. Schuele commented that mini-towns and high density residential units defeat "togetherness" in a community. Mrs. DesLauriers said that the taxes of her property make it impossible for her to continue using the land as a golf course. Mr. Fayette commented on the importance of a balanced approach. Dr. Kent said it is possible to develop mini blocks at this time, in order to provide services within walking distance, thereby relieving traffic congestion and air pollution from automobiles. Mrs. Dunn commented that from her contacts with the public the majority wanted to preserve the rural character. The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 P. M. Approved Brian J. Gee, Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.