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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/21/1988CITY COUNCIL 21 MARCH 1988 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 21 March 1988, at 7:30 pm, in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present Paul Farrar, Chairman; Molly Lambert, Michael Flaherty, George Mona, Francis X. Murray Also Present William Szymanski, City Manager; Jane Lafleur, City Planner; Mary McKearin, Business Manager; Sidney Poger, The Other paper; Wayland Bauceur, Robert P. Cromer, Greg Dicovitsky, Charles Deslauriers Accept for the City Disabled American Veterans commendation Mr. Cromer expressed thanks on behalf of the DAV for the use of City Hall and indicated that through meetings held there the organization had been able to achieve many of its goals. Comments and questions from the Public (not related to items on the Agenda No issues were raised. Continue Public Hearing on Proposed City Center Zoning Mr. Dicovitsky discussed his new analysis of the San Remo Drive area. He felt rents will be $18-$21/sq. ft. for office use and even higher for retail use. The going rate today is $12-$15/sq. ft. for retail and $10-$12 for office use. Mr. Farrar asked what density would be needed to get a break even point. Mr. Dicovitsky said he didn't have that but guessed somewhere near double, Mrs. Lambert said she didn't see any indication of what the improvements would do to the value of the sq. ft. rental. She noted it is now not a very desirable place to rent, and that is why rents are so low. Mr. Dicovitsky said he didn't consider that; he looked at it from the point of view of a mechanism for change, from the numbers that would allow change to happen. After the change, then the values would increase. Mrs. Lafleur said Greg's analysis is aimed at proving that a certain amount of rent or density is needed in order to take down existing buildings and put up new ones. She also noted that he had assumed a 50 foot buffer strip, and this could be reduced. Mr. Flaherty said they have to look for a number where at ground parking you can support the amount of building you can put up. Mr. Dicovitsky suggested finding a way for interim steps to be accomplished instead of "demolish and rebuild." Mr. Murray stressed that the goal is not to sit there for 20 years with the mess that's there now. Mr. Farrar added they also have to consider what density this area can take before there are traffic problems that can't be solved. Mrs. Lafleur was asked to consider how high buildings can be to accomplish the needed parking. Boundaries: Mrs. Lafleur outlined the boundaries of the various districts within the City Center. Mr. Farrar suggested extending the CD-3 area to include the present R-4 piece adjacent to Iby St. Park. Other members felt they would prefer to leave the residential neighborhood surrounded by R-4 where there is constant activity instead of a commercial zone where buildings are not in use at night. Members considered adding the Judge property and the school in the Central District zoning, but a majority felt they were not ready to change the proposed boundaries at this time. Mr. Flaherty moved to continue the public hearing until the first meeting in May. Mrs. Lambert seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Discuss with Chuck Deslauriers rezoning of 421 Dorset Street Mr. Deslauriers said he agreed with CD-3zoning for the front piece; it is the back 8.6 acres that they question. He noted a 100 ft. Green Mountain Power right of way goes from Dorset St. back to the Interstate, and this can be used only for parking, not buildings. He felt R-7 was not appropriate zoning and added that the property has been C-2 for many years. He presented a proposal whereby they would maintain the C-2 zoning with certain self-imposed restrictions to prohibit certain C-2 uses. Mr. Farrar said this is contract zoning, and he was not sure if was even legal. Mrs. Lafleur noted the Planning Commission had first considered CD- 4 zoning for the piece which would allow even higher density, but they felt this was too high for the R-4 and R-7 neighbors. The Commission eventually went with R- 7 which allows offices as a conditional use. Mr. Deslauriers felt R-7 substantially reduces their flexibility and thus the value of the land. Mrs. Lambert asked what the land was zoned when they bought it. Mr. Deslauriers said it was farmland. Mrs. Lafleur noted it was first zoned R-4 and became C-2 in 1981. Mr. Deslauriers said they do not feel R-7 is appropriate for the property. Mr. Mona said he felt C-2 would be an intrusion into the residential area. Mrs. Lafleur noted that the City Center Committee felt that way as well. Mr. Mona said he felt a restaurant and pharmacy will create a whole new set of traffic patterns in the neighborhood and that the single family homes across the street will have to contend with traffic problems. Mr. Murray moved that the Council approve the Planning Commission recommendation that 421 Dorset Street land be zoned as R-7. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mrs. Lafleur noted the new zoning becomes effective in 21 days. Appoint the City Service Officer Mr. Murray moved that Mr. Szymanski be appointed City Service Officer. Mr. Mona seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Appoint Auditors for the 1987-88 fiscal year Mr. Murray moved that this item be tabled. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Review Planning Agenda No issues were raised. Review Minutes of 7 March and 14 March 1988 Mr. Murray moved that the Minutes of 7 and 14 March be approved as written. Mrs. Lambert seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Sign Disbursement Orders Disbursement orders were signed. Liquor Control Board Mr. Murray moved that the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Mona seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Szymanski presented a request from Wetherbees to cater a wedding reception at K of C Hall on 28 May, from 11:30 am to 8 pm. Mr. Murray moved that the Board approve the catering permit as presented by the City Manager. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.