Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 01/19/1987CITY COUNCIL 19 JANUARY 1987 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 19 January 1987, at 7:30 p.m., at the Central School, Williston Rd. Members Present Paul Farrar, Chairman; Molly Lambert, Michael Flaherty, George Mona, Francis X. Murray Also Present William Szymanski, City Manager; Wendy Schroeder, Business Manager; Jane Lafleur, City Planner, Margaret Picard, City Clerk/Treasurer; Albert Audette, Street Dept; Ruth Poger, The Other Paper; Mike Donoghue, Free Press; Peter Jacob, Planning Commission; Catherine Debo, CCTA; Stephen Crowley, Vi Luginbuhl, Irene Stowe, Bruce Stowe, Diane McArthur, Fran Johnston, Demian Johnston, George Chamberland, Rick Marcotte Comments & questions from the public (not related to items on the Agenda) No issues were raised. Discuss items of interest to Central School area a. Widening of Williston Rd. (Dorset St. to Hinesburg Rd.) Mr. Szymanski said he had seen one plan that calls for 5 lanes (2 each way with a turning lane in the middle). The project is in the 5-year plan, and he estimated construction in 1991-2. He felt that there would be some land-taking, particularly with several buildings being close to the proposed road. A 5-foot sidewalk is planned for each side; there is currently no provision for a bike path. Mrs. Lafleur noted that the 5-lane concept on Shelburne Rd. has resulted in a very dangerous situation near Burger King where there have been some near collisions in the turn lane. She felt it would be even more dangerous on Williston Rd. with the number of buildings and businesses located there. Mr. Murray asked if there would be a way to combine accesses. Mrs. Lafleur said this hasn't yet been looked at. Mr. Murray asked if there was a chance to join properties on the south side of the road behind the businesses. Mrs. Lafleur said that although this hasn't yet been looked at, it appears joining from the rear would be an option. She added that any study of this would have to be funded as it was on Shelburne Rd. when the city hired Craig Leiner. Mr. Audette noted that it has been a policy to keep bike and pedestrian traffic away from Williston Rd. to avoid the traffic. He added that it is a nightmare for emergency vehicles to go up to the Sheraton in the morning, and they need a clear lane down Williston Rd. Mr. Farrar stressed that it is easier to deal with problems now than to wait until after the road is designed or completed. A Mayfair park resident asked how the expanded road will affect access to Williston Rd. Mr. Farrar said he hoped it would improve. b. Planned development southwest corner of Hinesburg Rd./Williston Rd. Mrs. Lafleur briefly outlined the Pomerleau proposal. There will be a 32,000 sq. ft. addition for the Grand Union and other shops plus an addition to the bank. The small stores up front will remain, except for the Home Emporium and the two next to it. There will also be a 108 room, 2-story motel. Mrs. Lafleur noted that the Planning Commission is most concerned with cutting down the number of curb cuts. There will, therefore, be only 2 cuts on Williston Rd. The bank access will be right turn "in only." The median strip will be lengthened to prevent left turns. The other curb cut will be mainly for the remaining small stores. This will also be a right turn only with the extended median. The Grand Union drive will be moved a bit, and the entrance will be to a center lane that does not interfere with cars backing out of parking spaces along the stores. There will be a signal at the Midas road. Two driveways on that road will access the motel and the shop area. The Midas road will eventually connect to Corporate Circle, but Pomerleau will not have to build it all the way through. Mr. Audette asked how the Mobil station on the north side of Williston Rd. will be accessed by east-bound traffic. Mrs. Lafleur said they would have to turn onto Patchen Rd. and enter from there. Mr. Audette said he felt people would go against traffic to enter from Williston Rd. Mr. Mona asked what will be done about White St. Mr. Jacob said the city would have to consider acquiring the triangular corner. He noted the Commission tried to get it as part of this plan but couldn't. Mr. Stowe asked what the time-frame was for construction. Mrs. Lafleur said that Pomerleau needs one more approval then goes to Act 250. They hope to build this spring. Mr. Stowe said he hadn't heard anyone who feels a hotel is a good idea for that location. Mrs. Lafleur said the only problem would be traffic, and so far the numbers don't show it. Mrs. Stowe asked how high the hotel will be. Mrs. Lafleur said it will be 35 ft. and may be up to 3 stories within that limitation. c. Planned development behind (south of) Central School (Corporate Circle, City Center) Mrs. Lafleur advised that the City Center Committee recommended that the area be rezoned and redeveloped as a city center. This can be done piece by piece and doesn't have to be done overnight. One plan would be for town house units, high-rise or courtyard patterns with a mix of uses (residential, business, etc). The Council will get the Planning Commission proposal soon. The plan will lay out roads in advance and tell people where to build. This will result in less congestion at the corner of Williston Rd/Dorset St. because people will have many ways to go. The plan will give more identity to S. Burlington and will provide for pedestrian amenities. Mr. Farrar asked if there is a plan to get traffic impacts of the proposals. Mrs. Lafleur said she has talked with Storch regarding traffic at the interchanges, but no work has been done for Williston Rd/Dorset St. Mr. Farrar said they need to know the maximum of the intersection before density limits can be set. Mr. Crowley raised the question of air quality and noted the Mall expansion pushed air quality to the limit. A traffic study should look at this as well. Mr. Murray said he liked the idea of mixed uses and hoped the plans proceeded in this direction. Mrs. Johnson said she noted a cut-through at her house on Barrett St., and asked why there is only this one. Mrs. Lafleur said the Commission said this is just a sketch, and there will be many changes made. Public hearings will be held by both the Commission and Council. Zoning changes are about 6 months away. Mrs. Stowe mentioned the problem of people cutting through Ruth and Heath Sts. and felt this will become worse with the opening of Corporate Circle. Mrs. Lafleur said there are 2 sides to that problem, as the dispersing of traffic avoids overloading of intersections on Williston Rd. Mrs. Lambert raised the question of pedestrian crossing of Williston Rd. and suggested an overpass. Mr. Farrar said the cost is about $500,000, since an overpass has to be handicap accessed. Mr. Farrar suggested putting pedestrian cross-walks in the middle of the block, so there is no problem with right-turn-on-red traffic. Consider adopting Hinesburg Rd. sidewalk construction policy Mrs. Lafleur explained that the Planning Commission has been frustrated by inconsistent sidewalk policies, so they developed a policy for Hinesburg Rd. This is the first of many (Dorset St, Spear St, etc). The numbers will be different, but the procedures the same. She explained that frontage was calculated on both sides of the street. Undeveloped land was then computed, as new developers will pay for the sidewalks. The existing areas of sidewalk were then subtracted to see how much more was needed, and the percentage to be paid by each developer can now be figured. Mr. Murray asked why it can't be done on a sq. ft. basis rather than frontage. Mrs. Lafleur said there should be no inequities as you have to have 200 ft. of frontage to subdivide. Mr. Murray asked if the sidewalk will be built now. Mrs. Lafleur said the City could bond for it and build it now and then have the money paid back by the fees. After a brief discussion, Mr. Murray moved to adopt the Hinesburg Rd. sidewalk proposal changing the cost from $10 to $15 per foot. Mr. Mona seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Szymanski will check to see if this needs to be a Resolution of a policy. Consider amending city personnel policy regarding promotions Ms. Schroeder advised that at present when someone is promoted from Grade 8, level 3 to Grade 9, Level 1, they can take a cut in pay, and exceptions have to be made so this doesn't happen. She felt it unfair for someone to be given a promotion and have to take a cut in pay. She suggested that a promotion be to level 2 of the next grade for the 6-month probationary period, then to level 3. After some discussion, Mr. Murray suggested checking with the City Attorney to see of there is a problem with a unilateral change in the contract. Ms. Schroeder will report back to the Council on this. Review Planning Commission Agenda No issues were raised. Minutes of December 15, December 22, January 5 Mr. Flaherty moved that the Minutes of December 15, December 22, and January 5 be approved as written. Mr. Murray seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Sign Disbursement Orders Disbursement orders were signed. Old Business 1. A letter has been received from a lady in Derby asking the Council to place the capital punishment issue on the ballot. Mr. Mona felt this was inappropriate city business. Mrs. Lambert said she disagreed with Mr. Mona's definition of city business as the residents of S. Burlington may well be affected by the issue. Mr. Murray agreed. Mr. Mona then moved that the City Manager write to thank the lady for her interest and to notify her that the Council has determined not to put it on the ballot. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2. Southern Connector Mr. Farrar said he visited with the Secretary on December 29th and has put his recommendations in writing. Mr. Audette noted that the light at Lindenwood is not in the project. Mr. Farrar said he will add that to his recommendations. Ms. Johnston noted that the flashing light now blocks the view of the next light which is very dangerous. 3. MPO Mr. Murray noted that there is to be a distribution of state transportation funds left over. This is approximately $108,000. $9,000 has been earmarked for Special Services Transportation (SSTA). Catherine Debo said that the purpose of the disbursement of funds is to compensate for reduced federal funding. CCTA had planned to ask for only $79,000, but both CCTA and SSTA submitted an application for an extra 19,000. She noted that SSTA wants to use $7,000 to expand service by 1/3 from January to June. She raised the question of what money will be used to fund that expansion in the future and suggested it will cost $15,000 next year. She felt SSTA will come to the towns for the money, and felt the towns should be aware of this and should be asked if they want this expanded service and if they want to pay for it. Members agreed to invite SSTA to speak to the Council. 4. Foundation Plan Mr. Farrar said he got a call from people trying to get communities together on plans to fund education. They have asked the governor not to support the plan until the towns can have some input. They feel the impact will be devastating to the state in the future because communities will not want to develop their economic base if they lost the taxes from that base. Communities will not put up with the mess caused by such places as Williston Rd/Shelburne Rd if it doesn't support their community. Also, a person buying a $60,000 home in South Burlington has a "cheap" house while someone buying such a home in a Northeast Kingdom town could have the best house in town. He added that S. Burlington teacher salaries could make them the best paid people in some towns, but not in S. Burlington. Mr. Flaherty said he felt the options proposed by the League of Cities and Towns should be looked at, specifically local rooms and meals taxes, property transfer taxes, etc. to makeup for lost revenues. Mr. Farrar recommended a joint Council/School Board meeting from several towns to discuss this. Liquor Control Board Mr. Mona moved the Council meet as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Szymanski presented a request for a second class license from Cumberland Farms (formerly Morgan's) on Shelburne Rd. There are no problems with the request. Mr. Mona moved the Board approve the request for Cumberland Farms as presented. Mr. Murray seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Mona then moved that the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session to discuss pending litigation and resume regular session only to adjourn. Mr. Murray seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works. PROPOSED SIDEWALli POLICY-HINESBURG ROAD This sidewalk policy is designed to provide the City with the necessary funds to build sidewalks along Hinesburg Road so that they connect to existing sidewalks and eventually reach the South Burlington - Shelburne town line. This is in contrast to two previous policies of 1) waiving sidewalks due to the remote Location of the development, and 2) requiring a sidewalk alona a frontage even though it connects t.o nothing. The fee is based on the length of the Hinesburg Road frontage of each new development. Each new development holds a share of the total undeveloped frontage and therefore a share of the future need. Under this policy, t.he undeveloped properties will pay toward the future sidewalk. Those properties that are already deve~loped or approved for development will not contribute toward this fund. KENNEDY DRIVE TO TOWN LINE WEST SIDE EAST SIDE 'Total Frontage 16,917.63 feet 16,930.43 feet 'Total Undeveloped Frontage 11,202.24 f-eet, 7,255.00 Peet l'otal Existing Sidewalk 1,850.00 feet 0.00 feet Total Frontage Needing Sidewalk 15,067.63 feet 16,930.43 feet 'l'otal Cost at S15/f00t Esample 1: WEST SIDE: Vermont Structural Steel 1904.61 feet of frontage / 11,202.25 feet ol undeveloperl f'ront.age = 12.54% X $226,014 cost to bu~ld all = $28,339 FEE Esampl r 2 : EAST SLUE: Lane Press 50 feet of frontage* / 7255 feet of undeveloped frontage : .689 % X $&53,956 cost to build all = $1750. FEE tt:i-r)ntnKe or 50 feet assumed due to 50 P(>ot. 1.i 411 t -of.-!d?I?. To the City Couocil: P sick c!lild nreventc: -re fro^ ittenrlinp: this meetinp: tonight bi~.t I have 7. consl~qing irterest in Vfillisto~ Rold. It is TV home en-' bvsiness rddress. T travel it ~evgr~l times a dry, listen to the rise end fall of its ceconhony and rvrestle with tbe conceat of it as a wa.lk~m,g. It is in flct a rezl line of dsqarcstion. Much as I like the resi- dents of YJegfzir Park, I think twice ?.bo,~.t visiting them on foot or by bicycle. They are, sftsr 911, jl~st across the street. Efut can you i~sgine referring to any n~rt of Williston Roxd as lajust across the street?" My children have friends "just acros,s the street." At no hour of the day or night ca,n I allow the? to stroll or ride over for a, casual visit. I ca~n't rezlly cell the YYnesburg Road i~tersectiom any consolation because of the mgri?d~ nossibilities for a tragedy. There traffic reminds ae of the Place 5.e la Concorde, i.el, going in every which direction. A yesr ago toaorron one of %y students was en route hone to Magfair perk when he wzs hit by a c2.r. Ye'.? elive but he limns. Eis lip-p an8 this anniversary re~ind le of a st?.te.nent I mzde while he was in the hosoitel: "l:'he.t we need is a neiie~tri2.n v~%lkway:" It could be an overhead or a. tuznel. It could be west or ezst of Hinesburg Road. It cert~inly wguld an3eal to the tourists who atte-?pt to cross back znd forth to the restaurants. Joggers and children wocld welcome s~fe nzssg.Fe and it would surely link severzl neighborhoods whi-ch are isolated Prom one another. ive 811 kn0.m ab0u.i: the WM tunrel. but I have also seen several beautiful and effective overhe.;.+. wal1wz.ys. I'm sure you hzve, too. Before you czst your nlans in concrete, ?lease coEsider soae desiqs, consult with motel owners and pather some inout from other residents Of both sides. Who knows" If it's well d.esiged, it might beco~e as famous as the St. Louis arch! b P.nne Bpes 1516 Williston Road