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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 11/06/1989CITY COUNCIL 6 NOVEMBER 1989 The South Burlington City Council held a Regular meeting on the 6th of November 1989, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present Paul Farrar, Chairman; John Dinklage, Michael Flaherty, James Condos Also Present Charles Hafter, City Manager; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation Dept; Albert Audette, Street Dept; Charles & Patricia Shea, Michael Dugan, Mark Boivin, Erin Haley, Greg Dicovitsky, Bob Hoehl, David Boehm, John Varsames, Rod Whittier; Sid Poger, The Other Paper 1. Comments & Questions from the Public (not related to Agenda Items No issues were raised. 2. Public Hearing: a) application of Charles & Patricia Shea, 1435 Dorset Street for authorization to construct additional porches, etc., to an existing family dwelling which exceeds limitation as set forth under Interim Zoning Regulations adopted 4/17/89, on a parcel of land containing 10 acres Mr. Dugan said the existing residence is over 1,000' from Dorset St. The applicant plans to add a carriage house, an all-weather room to the east, and a seasonal porch to the southwest. The total building will cover 1.4% of the lot. Mr. Dinklage asked if the carriage house could become an apartment. Mr. Dugan said it would not be used for an apartment. It would house tools, a tractor, etc. There will be 2 guest rooms above it, but not an apartment. He added that some rooms in the original house are being eliminated for the additions. Mr. Dinklage asked if there will be a kitchen. Mr. Dugan said there could be. Mr. Dugan then addressed the items in the interim zoning regulations. The additions, he said, will have little, if any, impact on community facilities. The property is served by an existing well and septic system. Access to the site will not be impinged upon for fire and emergency vehicles. The addition is in keeping with the neighborhood as there are large houses with existing out-buildings. Natural woodlands to the south and west will not be touched. All dimensional requirements are met. Mr. Dinklage moved that if approved, there will be two stipulations: a) guest rooms will be used only by family members and short-term guests and not offered for rent and b) this stipulation will be continuous with the property and will be binding upon the property. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Flaherty moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Flaherty moved to approve the application of Charles and Patricia Shea with the stipulations above as approved, to be effective upon findings of fact drawn up by the Zoning Administrator. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. b) An Ordinance to amend the Ordinance to Regulate Signs in the City of South Burlington: Mr. Dinklage moved to waive reading of the Ordinance. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Farrar said the amendments would allow directional and local signs for both entrances to the Mall and other businesses that have two entrances separated by at least 300 feet, and also for entrances to public buildings such as schools. Mr. Condos moved to approve the Sign Ordinance amendments as printed. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3. Review of design plans for Overlook Park Mr. O'Neill said he hoped to complete grading this fall. He said the plans to be presented have the consensus of the committee. David Raphael presented the plans. There will be one divided entrance with a proposed small turnoff on the east side for bikes and pedestrians. There is a continuous path along the street which could be used by bikes. The park will have 23 parking spaces including handicapped spaces. There will also be a bike rack. 2/3 of the spaces are oriented toward the view. There will also be a picnic area. There will be an 18" high wall above a series of benches. Low screening will exist between the park and the Hoehl house. A pedestrian access will be located at Deerfield Drive which will also be handicapped accessible. There will be some higher vegetation to block the Jamieson house. Drainage will be dramatically improved with a swale running the entire length of the west property line. In the center of one parking area, a sundial will be installed over a map of the South Burlington. There will be low level lighting for the walkway. Mr. Raphael noted that the view from the street will not be obscured by these plans. He estimated construction would be way below the bond issue amount. Mr. Flaherty moved to approve the plans as presented by Mr. Raphael. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Presentation of affordable housing proposal by Rod Whittier and John Varsames of North Shore Development Corp. Mr. Varsames said they have bought the remainder of the Berard property and also have an option for the Unsworth property near Lime Kiln Bridge. The sites are very different with the Berard property very sandy and the Unsworth property rocky. Both pieces of land are zoned IC. Mr. Varsames said they would asked the Council to consider rezoning to R-7. He felt the characteristics of the land were not compatible with commercial use as the Unsworth land would require much drilling and blasting and the premium Berard property is already used up. Two types of housing are being considered. The first is entry-level private homes for buyers in the $28,000 income range. The second is perpetual rental property to include housing for the elderly, handicapped access units, etc. They are also considering a small community building. They would try to get CCTA to provide service at the location. The major issues as Mr. Varsames saw them are: proximity to the Airport (noise), the river, the cliff on the Unsworth property (which he said they would provide protection from with a 6 ft. chainlink fence), and the zoning issue. He anticipated building 185 to 205 units of housing. Mr. Flaherty suggested R-3 or R-4 zoning. Mr. Varsames felt R-4 would be OK if looked at creatively. He said they anticipate 60 single family homes and the rest rentals. All would use municipal water and sewer. There would be entrances on Lime Kiln Road and Berard Drive. He felt they could work with the city to possibly straighten the road and make it safer. Mr. Dinklage stressed the dangerous aspect of that road. Mr. Varsames said they would come back with a traffic study. Mr. Whittier discussed financing. They work with Merchant's Bank which provides a second mortgage at 5% with a shared appreciation clause. There are no federal, state, or city subsidies. They would ask for some relief from street regulations such as curbs and sidewalks. Mr. Farrar felt sidewalks could be negotiated but probably not curbs. He said the main problem is upkeep of streets and plowing which ultimately could become city problems. Mr. Whittier said they would be willing to agree to a ceiling price on units to keep them in the affordable range. They anticipate buildout in 3 seasons but would prefer 11 months. Mr. Farrar said the Council would want to do what it can reasonably do to work with them. The first consideration would be to find some R-4 land that could be "swapped" to make up for the loss of taxes on the IC land. Mr. Dinklage felt there are still a lot of questions but would like to see them go ahead. Mr. Flaherty and Mr. Condos agreed. Mr. Farrar recommended the developers talk to the Supt. of Schools to see what the problems are and also with the Fire Chief and Street Superintendent. 5. Approval of sale of Municipal Bonds by Vermont Bond Bank Mr. Farrar said bonds amount to $733,000. Mr. Dinklage moved to authorize issuance of bonds as recommended by the City Manager. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Review amendment to Peddlers Ordinance Mr. Hafter noted the ordinance as written would prohibit display of Christmas trees. Mr. Dinklage suggested making the ordinance public and getting public reaction. Mr. Hafter will discuss the question of fees and time limits with the City Attorney. 7. Sign Certificate of Opening of Highway to Public Travel on Shunpike Road Mr. Flaherty moved the Council sign the certificate of opening as presented. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Comments on Proposal for CCRPC Service Mr. Farrar said the proposal outlines what Mr. Weith will be studying as he learns to use the T-model. Mr. Flaherty suggested adding Patchen/White Sts. Mr. Audette said there will a light there upon the upgrading of Patchen Rd. Mr. Farrar suggested 2 different studies of possible Dorset St. interchange additions, one with just the northbound land, the other a full interchange, and also alternatives in between. Mr. Poger suggested adding partial interchanges at both Dorset and Hinesburg Rd. 10 Items for Information: Commuter Train Service Mr. Dinklage noted the study said there are bids out to widen Williston Rd. to 8 lanes. Mr. Hafter said he thought this was the work already done at the Sheraton. Mr. Dinklage said he would like the City Manager to communicate concensus of the Council on paragraphs 2 and 3 of his memo, which is the need for a feasibility study prior to project commitment. 11. Review Planning & Zoning Agendas No issues were raised. 12. Sign Disbursement Orders Disbursement orders were signed. 13. Read Minutes of 16 October and 30 October Mr. Dinklage noted that in the 16 October Minutes, page 4, paragraph one should read... "The applicant should be asked to present a plan that requires no variances as a starting point for their deliberation." Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the Minutes of 16 October as amended. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Dinklage noted that in the Minutes of 30 October regarding the MPO grant, the line should read, "...evaluate the benefit of...". Mr. Dinklage then moved to approve the Minutes of 30 October as amended. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 14. Liquor Control Board Mr. Dinklage moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented a catering permit from Windjammer to cater a Green Mountain Power Seminar, at GMP, on 7 November from 5:30-7 p.m. Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the permit as presented. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. A representative of Club New England asked when they have to come before the Board for events as their license says: "live entertainment." Mr. Hafter said he is researching that now. 15. Executive Session Mr. Dinklage moved the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session to discuss pending litigation and to get the City Attorney's advice on a proposed contract and to resume regular session only to take possible action on approval of a memorandum of agreement for short term solid waste plan. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Board reconvened in regular session. John Dinklage moved to approve the Short-term Landfill Sharing Memorandum of Understanding dated 11/3/89. Mike Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:20 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.