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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 11/19/1979CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 19, 1979 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, November 19, 1979 at 7:30 pm in the Conference Room, City Hall, 1175 Williston Road Members Present Paul Farrar, Chairman; Michael Flaherty, William Burgess, Kenneth Jarvis, Martin Paulsen Others Present William Szymanski, City Manager; Ron Eley, Free Press; Sidney Poger, Chairman of Planning Commission; William Congleton, Franklin Jones, Stanley Siegel, Donald Swain, James McGee, Ann and James Sorrell, Margaret and Henry Farmer, John Belter, Jr., Julian Waller, Genevieve and Arthur Rideout, Maurice Boisvert, Greg Premo, Guy Teschmacher, David Arnold, Ted Irish, Paul Bruhn, Bruce Butterfield, David Webster, Eleanor Gilbert, Nancy Gruaya, Robert Carmichael, William Bellinger, Stewart McConaughy, Willard Nalchajian, Dick Reed, John and Sarah Patch, Lowell Krassner, Jim Harvell, Peter Collins, Hugh Marvin, Chairman of Southern Connector Citizen's Committee; Paul Graves, Douglas Schner, Jim Lamphere, Paul Amis, Kay Neubert Addition to agenda The following item was added: Sign highway financial report. Minutes of November 5, 1979 Mr. Burgess moved to approve the November 5, 1979 minutes. Mr. Paulsen seconded the motion and all were in favor. Disbursement orders Disbursement orders were not signed, because none were ready. Citizen's Committee recommendations for South Burlington Southern Connector Chairman Hugh Marvin reported that the final meeting of the Committee was held on October 24, 1979 and he submitted a report on the work done by the committee (copy attached). He recounted the history of the committee and of what it had tried to accomplish. Three routes for the road were considered - east of the railroad, west of the railroad, or bridging the railroad. The committee chose the east side. The road is scheduled for completion by the Highway Department in the fall of 1987. It will be two lanes in both directions. The decision to have an at-grade crossing at Bartlett Bay Road was criticized, and the plan is now for a bridge with on-off ramps if the traffic counts show they are justified. Holmes Road will be closed and those residents provided with access by connecting to some other road (Bartlett Bay or possibly the Allenwood access). Mr. Marvin stated that the cost of the road in today's dollars is $14.5 million, plus $.5 million for the Bartlett Bay bridge, so a total of $15 million. With inflation this figure will be about $22.5 million at the time of construction. A bridge for the Farrell warehouse siding and Holmes Road would add $2 million plus the inflation factor and the Laurel Hill Extension will add $1.5 million including the bridge. Traffic figures regarding the on-off ramps are being checked by the Highway Department. Mr. Marvin also mentioned that the maps still showed an exit from the Burlington project onto Queen City Park Road, which South Burlington has objected to for several years. The committee opposed this ramp and asked the City Manager to write a letter to the Highway Department about it. This was done and on May 15, 1978 a letter was returned by John Gage saying that if the proposal for an exit at Queen City Park Road was unacceptable, the existing I-189 ramp terminal location could be used. He felt this issue should be pursued(Marvin). Mr. Marvin asked that letters of thanks be sent to the members for the work they had done during the time the committee was doing its job. Mr. Burgess noted that the Council had formally objected to the Queen City Park Road exit. Mr. Marvin gave the Council some traffic figures with and without the connector in place (see page 2, Nov. 30, 1978 Connector minutes). He stated that the Laurel Hill Extension was shown to take care of traffic in that area, which is zoned commercial now, but not yet developed. The traffic figures given are not including traffic from the development which might take place in that area. They would be different if the Laurel Hill Extension were not constructed. Mr. Szymanski stated that he had received replies to questions sent to the Highway Department. The cost of a connecting road between Bartlett Bay and Holmes Roads about 1/2 way between the lake and the railroad is $106,500. Cost of a road from Shelburne Road (using the Allenwood private drive) crossing the railroad 200' north of the present crossing, and looping to Holmes Road is $1,035,000 and the Department feels the City would be responsible for that total cost. The Department feels they cannot move the at-grade crossing for Holmes Road farther south because it would interfere with the on-off ramps, which they say the counts say are necessary. The costs above do not include right of way costs. If a connecting road is constructed from the Laurel Hill Extension to Holmes Road west of the tracks, it would be City maintained, and the State feels the road connecting Holmes and Bartlett Bay Roads should also be a City street, or at least built to City standards. Mr. Ted Irish said he had looked at the area between the Farrell warehouse and the Allenwood road and that the railroad was 30' or more above the meadow at that point. He felt that putting an underpass under the railroad would be quite easy at that point, and a connection could be made to the Allenwood drive. There would also have to be an underpass for the Connector. Mr. McConaghy, who represented Mr. Farrell, noted that the Allenwood drive intersection with Shelburne Road was very dangerous. Mr. Farrar wanted to study the traffic figures for the on-off ramps. Ms. Neubert asked why a full interchange was not shown at the south end of the road and was told the committee and State did not feel it was necessary, but if the on-off ramps were provided, it would become a full interchange anyway. Mr. Flaherty moved to accept the report of the Citizens Committee and Hugh Marvin with thanks and note that the Council has opened the question of final design in the Bartlett Bay area. Mr. Burgess seconded the motion and all voted aye. Ms. Neubert felt the City should have some charts and diagrams citizens can look at regarding this project. Report on Chittenden County Regional Planning by city representative Hugh Marvin Mr. Marvin had left the meeting, so this item was deferred. Interview applicants for appointment to the Planning Commission Douglas Schner - Mr. Schner said he had moved to the area 3 months ago and that he had had a lot of experience in governmental boards in other areas, which listed for the Council. Noting that Mr. Schner's present employer is Randall Munson, a developer, Mr. Farrar asked if he would have a conflict. Mr. Schner admitted that here and there he might have a conflict of interest but said he had been in the same position on other boards and had had no problems. He simply abstained from the vote. He is the development coordinator for Mr. Munson. He stated that he was familiar with the Zoning Ordinance and Master Plan and that he had come across a few points he would like to see changed. He did not think strip development with more strip development behind it was good planning. He also felt the City should be more stringent in giving approvals in outlying districts and should develop in the core. Mr. Schner said that part of his job description was to be involved in local groups so that developments the company planned would fit into the guidelines of the City. Mr. Poger noted that from time to time a member of the Commission abstained because of a conflict of interest, but felt it would be difficult to have a member of the Commission abstain from an application and then get up and present the application to the Commission. Mr. Schner indicated he would be interested in serving on other boards if not appointed to the Commission. John Belter, Jr. - Mr. Belter said he was a dairy farmer in the City and that he had a direct interest in what happens in outlying areas of the City. He did not like it when others told him what he could or could not do with his land, and felt he could contribute input along these lines. He has lived in the City for 5 years. He felt that there was a lack of communication between city folk and farmers. He stated that he felt there was a place for transfer of development rights. He would not be as interested in any other positions, he said. Continue public hearings on the following Interim Zoning Applications North American Shopping Centers Inc. to construct a shopping complex located easterly side of 1690 Shelburne Road - Mr. Peter Collins gave the Council a traffic analysis done by Mr. Aben (see attached copy). He also read a list of Mr. Aben's credentials. Mr. Collins said the proposal was for a supermarket, drug store, bank or restaurant, and a Photomat. The traffic report feels that most traffic will be local and already on Shelburne Road for another purpose. He also feels that this center may even out traffic along the road. He does not see an adverse impact on traffic, either on congestion or on turning movements. The suggestions made for internal improvements will be made part of the application if the Council feels they are good ideas. Mr. Aben feels most of the trips to the complex will be made at off-peak hours. He feels the Southern Connector will substantially improve traffic in that area but that even without it, the increase in traffic from this development will be imperceptible to the average driver. Mr. Collins asked for some feeling from the Council as to whether this type of project in this area was feasible. Mr. Burgess felt that whether a bank or a restaurant was built would make a lot of difference, as would the type of restaurant or bank chosen. He was not sure how the traffic analysis on the whole complex could be made without that information. Mr. Collins said the figures took that into account, and said he was looking for conceptual approval on the bank/restaurant and when a party was interested in the space, they would come to the Council for approval. Mr. Burgess felt it would be hard to give conceptual approval when so much was unknown (seating, hours, type of facility). Mr. Paul Amis, with North American, said that any proposals for the out-parcels would have to stand on their own merits with the Council. They want approval on the rear and conceptual approval on the out-parcel. He said he wanted the City to know that they would be back with requests for more development after the first buildings were constructed. Mr. Flaherty noted that Interim Zoning was in effect because of traffic problems on Shelburne Road and he was afraid if the Council gave conditional approval now it would be hard to say no later. He wanted to know exactly what would be built and what kind of traffic it would have, because once it was built, the problem would be hard to solve, if a larger problem than exists now were created. Mr. Amis said the bank/restaurant could be removed from the application. Mr Collins said that when a specific proposal was made for that space, new traffic figures could be supplied. Mr. Flaherty said that until they heard from the traffic consultant, he looked with scepticism at any development in Interim Zoning areas. Mr. Poger asked that the traffic consultant look at the figures which show that little traffic goes to the supermarket at peak hours, because his experience did not show that. Mr. Paulsen questioned whether the figure of 80 trips per day per 1,000 sq. ft. of space was correct. Mr. Szymanski noted that in this area the road was two lanes and he said the shoulders were not designed for and could not be used for through traffic. Mr. Aims reminded the Council of the rear access to Green Mountain Drive. Mr. Farrar asked that the plan be sent to the Fire Chief for review and Mr. Szymanski said the Chairman of the Zoning Board would like to give some input at the next meeting. He could not be here tonight. Mr. Collins asked that the traffic consultant be authorized to talk to the applicants' consultant and Mr. Farrar said he was free to request information of the applicant or discuss his opinion with the applicants' experts if he felt that would be of value. Mr. Flaherty moved to continue the hearing on the application of North American Shopping Centers for a complex east of 1690 Shelburne Road until December 3. Mr. Burgess seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Norman Ramsey to construct an 18-unit motel at 1108 Williston Road - Mr. Frank Jones showed the Council a new plan for this application. The letter of November 15 from Fire Chief Goddette is directed towards this new plan. The number of units has been reduced from 18 to 12. Since it is a reduction, no new warning is needed, but adjoining property owners have to be notified. The plan under discussion is dated 11/12, revision #2. Mr. Jones said the building would be 12' shorter in depth and the drive was 10' wider. The Fire Chief says in the letter that he can give protection if the building is sprinkled and tied in to the Department and if there are two hydrants. The applicants are willing to do that. Parking spaces have been increased to 10' x 20', even though the City requires only 10' x 16'. Some diagonal spaces are now parallel, so they will not block entering traffic. They plan to bucketload snow as necessary and will erect a stockade fence if required to do so. A traffic survey was done for the project (see attached copy) and Don Swain explained it. An intersection capacity analysis was done and a manual count of time gaps during the day was done. The existing data flow on Williston Road was taken and those were assumed to be the peak generation figures. Then ITE generation figures were applied to the number of units in the motel complex. The frequency of gaps long enough to make a turning movement and the frequency of holding someone up was studied. They figured that 75% of the traffic for the motel would come from the Interstate or the direction of Burlington. They feel that 8 cars will come that way during the one hour peak. A car needs 5.8 seconds to make the turn across the lanes of traffic to enter the motel. 5 of these 8 cars will have to wait to find a suitable gap, but 7 out of 8 can enter without causing 1 car behind them to be delayed. Mr. Swain said that 92% of the time, a longer time gap exists between the car which is turning left into the motel, and the car that is behind him in the lane, than is required for the turning car to wait for an acceptable gap in the oncoming traffic (5.8 seconds). Thus there will not be an interruption in the flow. Stacking of two or more cars behind the turning car will happen rarely, they felt. Mr. Flaherty pointed out that there was a traffic light to the west of this property and thus, there would not be normal spacing of cars in front of this lot. Cars would be moving closer behind each other because they would have been stacked up by stopping at the light. He was told that the average waiting time would be 3.5 seconds. Mr. Farrar asked if the conclusion of the report was that 8% of the time, or once per day, some delay would be caused by left turning traffic into the lot. Mr. Swain felt it was not likely 2 cars would be delayed. Mr. Flaherty asked about traffic stacking in the west-bound left turn lane into Dorset Street blocking the entrance to the property totally. At a later point in the meeting he was told that the signals at the Dorset St. intersection were such that the left turning traffic almost always cleared through and that by the time the east- bound traffic got to this property, there was not any extensive left turn backup. Mr. Swain said they did not emphasize the exiting traffic because any delay it might cause would be on the property and not in the road. He said those that wanted to exit left and merge would have to wait about 18 seconds. Mr. Poger asked if the Council had considered the levels of service at the two nearest signallized intersections. The Commission is using a rule of thumb that if the level is D or worse, no development should take place until the intersection is upgraded. Mr. Krassner asked if the figures accounted for people in the motel going out to shop or eat in the evening and was told the figures used were industry standards. Mr. Siegel, a traffic engineer, said he had looked at the work of Messrs. Houghton (City's consultant) and Mr. Swain and at the Interim Zoning Regulations. He studied traffic in the area. During peak hours, he said, traffic is very structured, but after peak hours, it becomes less so and the time gaps between cars shortens. He felt the figures indicated that there were a lot of time spaces between vehicles which are long enough to move into the lot. He studied the gas station next to this property during a noon hour. 2-3 cars went in with a left turn. One vehicle had no cars behind him and another had 1, during the 10 minute period he watched. At one point he counted 17 turning movements, of which 8 had no one behind them, 6 had 1 car, 2 had 3 and 1 had 4. In some cases, vehicles behind the turning cars switched lanes and Mr. Flaherty noted that lane switching also causes traffic problems. Mr. Siegel said that during the 4:30--5:30 peak he watched 4 vehicles turn left into the station and 2 cars had 2 behind them and 2 had 5 behind them. Looking at the east movement, Mr. Siegel said there were 42 seconds of green time. That lets through 18-20 cars per lane. Maximum volume on the road is 1100 vehicles per hour. He said the lane with the most traffic was the right turn lane, the next was the center lane and the one with the least traffic was the left lane. With 1100 vph, that means 30 cars per cycle of the light, which means 10-12 cars in either of the two through lanes. Behind the left-turning car, other cars can move into the right lane. He also stated that if every car in that lane was held up by the left-turning vehicle, they would not reach back to the intersection. He also felt a left- turning car could start across because the left turn stacking lane will be empty. He felt this kind of driveway in this area would not cause any different kinds of problems than the City already had there. He noted that every left turn caused problems. He did not think addition of this motel would cause any new and additional impact which was not already present. Mr. John Patch said he owned the gas station next to this property and he stated that every day he had at least 10-15 cars come in and ask for directions to the Econolodge, which means that they have to turn left out and make another left turn farther up the road, at the entrance. With the Econolodge sign next to this property, he felt there would be a lot of cars pulling into the lot thinking it was that motel. Mr. Krassner noted that at times he had seen the left turn lane for Dorset St. backed up to City Hall. Mr. Farrar asked that the report be given to Mr. Houghton and that he be told that he is free to discuss findings with the applicants' consultants if he so wishes. Mr. Flaherty moved to continue the hearing on Norman Ramsey for a 12-unit motel at 1108 Williston Road with the understanding that submissions will be given for comment to the City's traffic consultant. The meeting is continued until December 17. Mr. Paulsen seconded the motion and all voted aye. The meeting was set for December 17 at the request of an adjoining property owner who had only seen the new plan tonight and would not be in the area December 3. The applicants did not object. Vermont Federal Savings and Loan to convert an existing structure (tire sales building) into bank facility with drive-in located at 1309 Williston Road Mr. Bob Carmichael noted that he had sent the City a letter regarding the lot (see attached copy). They find the suggestions of the City's traffic consultant acceptable. The median on Williston Road will be lengthened to prohibit left turns into the bank. Mr. Burgess felt the traffic consultant did not say the bank would not cause a problem, but only that if the number of trips predicted by the applicant turns out to be accurate, it will not cause a problem on the road. He also noted that any car which wanted to turn left into the bank would have to use Hinesburg Road. If that car wants to continue in the same direction after his banking is done, he will have to get back out onto Hinesburg Road. Mr. Burgess stated that he had seen times when the only way a car could exit from that driveway would be if a car waiting on Hinesburg Road for the light let him into traffic. He assumed that the times this would happen would probably coincide with the bank's peak business hours. Mr. Carmichael said that a survey was done of this bank in Burlington for 31 days. That bank has 3 drive-in windows. The highest count for any one day for all three windows was 188 cars. Lowest count was 61 cars and average was 106, or 30-35 cars per day per window. Mr. Burgess felt that the peak hour traffic at a commercial bank, which this is not, is significantly higher than 10 cars. Mr. Flaherty moved to close the public hearing for Vermont Federal Savings and Loan. Mr. Burgess seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. Ogden Associates, Richard Feeley, Agent, request to occupy two existing structures as office or retail business complex at 1161 Williston Road and 10 Mary St. Mr. Farrar announced that the applicant had asked that the hearing be postponed until December 3. Review additional data and formulate action and stipulations on the following closed public hearing William Bailey, David Arnold, Agent to occupy an existing structure as a music store and business office at 166 Dorset Street Mr. Farrar felt that if approved, there should be a stipulation that when and if the other property is developed, the owner of this one will work with him to have a common entrance. Mr. Burgess raised the question of screening and said he would be willing to take the recommendation of the Code Officer on that point. Mr. Burgess moved to ask the staff to prepare a formal motion of approval and include the request for inspection and screening to be at the discretion of the Code Officer and also to include in the motion a provision for future planning for a common curb cut. Mr. Flaherty seconded the motion and none opposed it. Set date for Police Department Union negotiations The date was set as December 5, 1979 at 7:30 pm at City Hall. Set time and date for work session with municipal building architect Mr. Szymanski said the architect had requested the meeting. It was set as Wednesday, November 28 at 12:00 noon. The site will be decided at a later time. Review Planning and Zoning agendas There were no comments. Old business Status of on-site sewer regulations - Mr. Szymanski said the State had reviewed the regulations and verbally approved them. He hoped to have them for the Council shortly. Sign highway financial report - Mr. Szymanski said this report was signed every year so the City could obtain State Aid. Mr. Flaherty moved to sign the annual highway financial report for the City of South Burlington. Mr. Paulsen seconded the motion and all voted aye. Consider going into executive session to discuss appointments to Boards and Commissions The Council considered the following names for appointment to the Planning Commission to replace James Draper: Robert Walsh, Lowell Krassner, Douglas Schner, John Belter, David Boehm, and William Robenstein. Mr. Flaherty moved to appoint Robert Walsh to the Planning Commission to fill the unexpired term of James Draper. Mr. Jarvis seconded the motion and it passed 5-0. Mr. Jarvis then moved that Nancy Crowell and Lowell Krassner be appointed to the Natural Resources Committee. Mr. Paulsen seconded the motion and it passed 5-0. Meet as Liquor Control Board to consider request for What's Your Beef to cater a fund raising for Rice High School Boosters Association Mr. Flaherty moved to adjourn as the City Council and reconvene as the Liquor Control Board. Mr. Paulsen seconded and all voted aye. Mr. Szymanski said that What's Your Beef was requesting a temporary liquor license for a fund raiser at Rice on November 30 from 8-12. Mr. Burgess moved to approve the request from What's Your Beef to cater a fund raising for Rice High School Boosters Association. Mr. Jarvis seconded and all voted aye. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 pm. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.