HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Planning Commission - 03/08/2022SOUTH BURLINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
8 MARCH 2022
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The South Burlington Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 8 March 2022, at 7:00
p.m., in the Auditorium, City Hall, 180 Market Street, and via Go to Meeting remote technology.
MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Riehle, M. Ostby, Acting Chair, M. Mittag, P. Engels
ALSO PRESENT: P. Conner, Director of Planning and Zoning; K. Peterson, City Planner; D. Peters, N.
Hyman
1. Instructions on exiting the building in case of an emergency:
Ms. Ostby provided instructions for emergency exit.
2. Agenda: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items:
No changes were made to the agenda.
3. Open to the public for items not related to the Agenda:
No issues were raised.
4. Planning Commissioner announcements and staff report:
Mr. Mittag advised that the Climate Action Committee will meet on March 10th. Ms. Ostby said she
heard that at the State level there is enhancement to the current use program. People don’t have to
forest or harvest their land, just take care of it.
Mr. Conner: The City has hired Tom DiPietro as the new Public Works Director. He is the top
stormwater person in the State
UMall is under new ownership with some very dynamic people who are excited to
something great there. They are the same people who own Staples Plaza (not the land). They are
looking at 24/7 mixed uses.
The City Council has let the mask mandate expire. Masks are still “encouraged” at City-
owned buildings.
5. Commissioners’ Reports from Committees:
Mr. Engels: The Airport Rezoning Task Force has asked the consultant to provided 3 scenarios: a
“no” response, a “do nothing,” response, and a “what can be done” response. The City’s legal staff is
being asked to look into the “taking” issue. Ms. Peterson advised that she is working with the Deputy
City Attorney on this.
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6. Official Map: Review proposed updates to Citywide Official Map and possible action to
approved Planning Commission Report and warn public hearing on proposed amendments:
a. OM-22-01: Add bike/pedestrian connections between planned I-89 bike/pedestrian
bridge and Dorset Street, Williston Road, and Quarry Hill Road
Mr. Mittag moved to warn for a 12 April 2022 public hearing amendment to the Official Map OM:22-01
to add bike/ped connections between planned I-89 bike-ped bridge and Dorset Street, Williston Road
and Quarry Hill Road. Mr. Riehle seconded. Motion passed 4-0.
7. Discussion of possible use of ARPA funds:
Mr. Conner explained that the city received about $4,500,000, some of which has already been
allocated. Committees have been asked to provide any specific interests for use of those funds. He
asked members if they had any thoughts on this.
Mr. Riehle suggested lighting on Kennedy Drive and a place to plant trees. He suggested 3 “buckets”
with 1/3 for housing, 1/3 for parks, and 1/3 allocated for the future.
Ms. Peterson suggested members consider who/what they are targeting to support with these one-time
funds.
Mr. Engels suggested something completely new such as an anti-poverty program so no one is hungry
and everyone has a place to live.
Ms. Ostby suggested looking at the aging infrastructure in the city in conjunction with the schools. She
also suggested something the community could use in its “off hours.”
Mr. Mittag suggested more school buses so fewer kids are driving to school.
Mr. Mittag said that money wouldn’t go very far, and the city probably couldn’t spend it by 2026.
Mr. Engels said it would be nice if they could say no money for studies or consultants.
Mr. Hyman suggested concentrating on incentivizing/promoting the new City Center, helping to
revitalize UMall, and demolishing the parking lot and Sears. He suggested it could be zoned as
residential with beautiful apartments.
Ms. Ostby suggested something that would promote job creation.
Mr. Conner suggested something like a commercial kitchen where home-based kitchens could grow
incrementally.
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It was noted that the City of Burlington is providing a one-time property tax credit to those who meet
certain qualifications.
Mr. Riehle moved to suggest a 3-bucket plan for ARPA funds with 1/3 for housing, 1/3 for open
space/parks, and 1/3 for a future undetermined use. Mr. Mittag seconded. Motion passed 4-0.
6. Begin 2024 Comprehensive Plan process: discussion of areas of focus and update:
Ms. Peterson asked what areas they might emphasize or de-emphasize.
Mr. Mittag said they are out of sync and should have done the Comp Plan first, then the LDRs. He felt it
would be hard to get in sync now.
Ms. Peterson said the Comp Plan can direct changes to the LDRs in the future. She suggested setting
priorities and a structure in place during May and June, then using July ’22 through July ’23 for
information gathering, tasking committees, writing drafts/getting feedback, and public outreach
(including workshops). She noted the new plan has to be adopted by February, 2024, so the City Council
should adopt it by the end of 2023. This means the Planning Commission should have a draft by August,
2023.
Mr. Engels felt the plan should be more definitive and authoritative. Mr. Mittag said it is “inspirational”
for the community, but he didn’t feel it had served the community well enough.
He felt the core of it should focus on climate mitigation and land use changes to support that as well as
focusing on safety/health of the community.
Mr. Riehle suggested they address other things on their plate (e.g., TDRs) first. Ms. Peterson said they
are very high on the list for the next few months.
Mr. Riehle said they should make it clear that with regard to the Regional Planning Commission, South
Burlington is making its own decisions.
Mr. Engels questioned whether Williston Rd. should be a priority since it provides a route for people to
drive through South Burlington.
Ms. Peterson noted that the Comprehensive Plan is also used by those who are funding grants to
determine what the city’s priorities are. She emphasized that policy statements should be made clearly.
Mr. Riehle cited how difficult it is to get speed limits lowered. Mr. Conner said the state will move the
needle a little if the community is clear.
Ms. Ostby cited two points. First, the comp plan needs to provide more "teeth" stating the importance
of the Chamberlin neighborhood as a critical affordable and cherished neighborhood. It is an important
part of SB and the comp plan should state that clearly. Second, that she would like to see South
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Burlington be a city that can offer a forever home to all residents as their residential needs change, from
providing starter homes, through retirement homes, and every phase in between.
Mr. Mittag cited what immigrants have done to revitalize Burlington’s north end. Mr. Conner noted that
equity will be a key piece of the plan.
8. Consider Street Name Requests for the O’Brien Eastview Neighborhood:
Mr. Conner suggested switching Mabel Way for Barn Way and shortening Potash Brook Way to Potash
Way.
Mr. Mittag moved to accept the applicant’s proposal with staff’s recommendations. Mr. Riehle
seconded. Motion passed 4-0.
9. Minutes of 11 January and 25 January 2022:
Mr. Mittag moved to approve the Minutes of 11 and 25 January 2022 as presented. Mr. Engels
seconded. Motion passed 4-0
10. Other Business:
Notice of Shelburne Selectboard on Interim Zoning Amendment
Mr. Conner noted that Shelburne is considering an Interim Zoning to limit the height of buildings in their
Form Based Code area to 2 stories.
As there was no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned by
common consent at 8:44 p.m.
Minutes approved by the Planning Commission April 12, 2022