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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 02/07/1994CITY COUNCIL 7 FEBRUARY 1994 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday 3 January 1993, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: Michael Flaherty, Chairman; James Condos, John Dinklage, Robert Chittenden, William Cimonetti Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peg Strait, Asst. City Manager; Margaret Picard, City Clerk; Dick Ward, Zoning Administrator; Sonny Audette, Street Dept; Joe Weith, City Planner; Brian Searles, Police Chief; Bill Burgess, Planning Commission; Sid Poger, The Other Paper; Madonna Wright, Eric Flegenheimer, Paul Savas, Andrew Golbert, John Kennedy, John Floyd, Annetta Allen, Bill Schuele, Dave Maclaughlin, Scott Smith, Fred Greer, Paul Wamsganz, Candy MacKenzie, Chris Erickson, John Jaeger, Bill Shearer, Philip Kiley, Lori Rowe, Dave DeSarno, Bill Fucci, Steve Rowe, William Fisk 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience, not related to Agenda Items: No issues were raised. 2. Discussion of Dorset St. Median: Mr. Flaherty reviewed the history of the Dorset St. project and read the original Resolution on the median from eight years ago. The city had determined not to let Dorset St. look like Shelburne Rd. and Williston Rd. Mr. Flaherty noted those two roads are responsible for 60% of the traffic accidents in the city. Mr. Flaherty also noted that without the median, large lots would not be allowed to have as much development because of traffic dangers. Mr. Flaherty then opened the floor for comments from the public. Mr. Kennedy of Dorset St. Beverage felt the original idea was good planning but that the economic problems that hit afterwards have resulted in problems. He said Dorset St. is not yet a downtown area. He presented a petition with over 2,000 signatures opposing the median. The street behind the businesses is dark and poorly maintained and people don't want to go out that way, especially after dark. Mr. Hafter said one possibility would be a frontage road from one end of San Remo Drive to the other. Mr. Dinklage said that the city center concept is a very long term investment. Businesses that have gone in have done so under city center zoning. He said that Mr. Kennedy's business would not have been allowed to be there without the existence of the median because of traffic generation. He said that traffic now flows very smoothly and safely. Mr. Flegenheimer said there is a need for signage for businesses and also for a median cut to access the buildings on that one block between the ends of San Remo Dr. Mr. Condos noted that the Agency of Transportation requires a minimum of 800 ft. between median cuts. Mr. Hafter said the signs are going to be changed. There is a new municipal sign law and S. Burlington has ordered new signs. He added that the names of businesses can't be put on the signs due to state law. International symbols will be used. Mr. Cimonetti stressed that he would not support anything that goes against state law. Mr. Flegenheimer said they want one of the state signs. It was noted that you cannot have a state sign on the same street as the business is located. Mr. Goldgerg of the Bagel Bakery said they are asking for innovation. He felt what exists is great for 20 years down the line, but the businesses are here now. He asked for reasonable help to get what other businesses have. Mr. Maclaughlin, an employee of J.C. Penney, said S. Burlington is a community that prides itself on hosting businesses and felt the city should think of what it means to these business people. He felt the median was a traffic hazard for cars that can't make the U-turn. Mr. Dinklage said all research states that streets with medians are safer than those without. Mr. Cimonetti said the street is certainly safer than if there were unprotected left turns. Mr. Teeson said the overall Dorset St. concept is a benefit to the city and that he favored the city center. But he felt that was a long term goal. He felt the businesses that are there today have to be preserved. He felt there had to be a compromise possible. He felt that the turning radius on the u-turn could be improved with widening. He also suggested possible temporary median cuts. Mr. Fisk, a city resident, said there was no question in his mind that what is there now is safer than what was previously there. Mr. Condos suggested the City Planner look into what has been done in other communities. Mr. Chittenden said he felt an effort had to be made to accommodate businesses. Mr. Hafter said he would be glad to sit down with business owners to see if a solution can be worked out. Mr. Dinklage said he would like to see a concept that doesn't just favor the specific businesses. Mr. Cimonetti echoed this feeling and said he would like to see something that would improve circulation. Mr. Teeson said you have to improve the U-turn radius to improve circulation. Mr. DeSarno asked what is going to happen with the city center. Mr. Hafter said the ground breaking for the first building is on 1 April. Mr. DeSarno said he couldn't develop his piece until he knows the whole plan, the big picture. 3. Report from Sign Ordinance Committee: Mr. Weith reviewed, the history of the Committee and introduced its members. Mr. White then summarized the Committee's report. He noted the wide diversity of opinion on the committee and the amount of give and take dialogue that resulted in the report. He noted the committee was formed in response to the question of whether the sign ordinance was in opposition to the city's wishes for coordinated efforts to have multiple businesses on one lot, shared accesses, etc. Under the old ordinance, only one sign per lot was allowed and all businesses got the same size sign. He noted the Committee's report did not represent the unanimous opinion of committee members. With regard to free-standing signs, the Committee felt it could not define what is a multiple business. The best they could do is a compromise addressing it in terms of the size of the development. The felt that a lot with a minimum of 200 ft. of frontage and a minimum of 10,000 sq. ft. of development on the lot should be allowed to increase signs up to a maximum of 80 sq. ft. Also, if there is less than 40,000 sq. ft. of lot size, only a 32 sq. ft. sign is allowed. The hope is to consolidate these lots. Pre-existing non-conforming signs may be reduced by at least 25%, instead of down to 40 sq. ft. Signage on a canopy is to be treated as wall signage. The Committee felt that gas stations must fit within the rest of the provisions of the Ordinance. The Committee felt that there must be better enforcement of the Ordinance. Mr. Condos asked if the Committee considered setbacks. Mr. White said they determined that if you have a sign over 40 sq. ft., you must have it back 20 ft. instead of 5 ft. Mr. Flaherty asked the rationale for the 80 sq. ft. Mr. White said it was a compromise for both aesthetic and safety reasons. Mr. Dinklage said the report of the Committee is a good example of how the community is served by such citizen groups. Mr. Schuele, who was on the committee but did not support all of its conclusions, said his concern is for aesthetic, too many signs and signs that are too big. He said the many people in the community are looking for fewer and smaller signs. Members felt the report should be circulated to the Planning and Zoning Boards for their comments. Members of the Committee were willing to continue to work on other issues outlined in the report. 4. Discussion of Neighborhood Street Improvement Plan Funding Options: Mr. Hafter noted the city hadn't had the resources to make an impact on the street structure of the city. They have now rated the condition of all city streets and have a $2,000,000 plan for action on problems. There are several possible funding methods. The first would be the incurrence of a long term debt ($1,500,000) which would ultimately cost $1,995,000 to pay back. The cost to the average tax payer would be $220. total for ten years. The second option would be a supplemental tax increase which would cost the average tax payer $160 total for five years. Members asked what part of the work would be done with city labor and what would be contracted out. Mr. Audette said he had submitted a 5-year plan which shows how this will be done. Members felt the ideas should be put in The Other Paper to solicit public input. Mr. Fisk said he liked the "pay as you go" concept. He stressed that the city had to get after developers to build streets that won't fall apart in a few years. 5. Minutes of 17 January 1994: Mr. Dinklage moved to approve the Minutes of 17 January as printed. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. FY 1994-5 Budget: Mr. Hafter thanked everyone who worked on the budget. He said the proposed budget will have a tax rate decline from 79.9¢ to 79.7¢. He felt this was a tribute to the way the city departments are working. 7. Acceptance of Streets at Dorset Park; a Portion of Brand Farm Road and all of Lupine Lane: Mr. Dinklage moved to accept the streets as proposed. Mr. Cimonetti seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Review Planning Commission Agenda for 8 February: No issues were raised. 9. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement orders were signed. 10. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Condos moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Hafter presented a First Class License request for Burlington Billiards, 358 Dorset St. The license says there would be serving beer and wine between the hours of 8 p.m. and Midnight only. Mr. Condos asked if the area where drinks will be served completely open. The business owner said it is a completely clear span building. Mr. Chittenden moved the Liquor License for Burlington Billiards be approved with the stipulations that beer and wine only be served between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and Midnight and that the Zoning Board review the conditional use within six months. Mr. Dinklage seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Executive Session: Mr. Dinklage moved the Liquor Control Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session to discuss personnel issues and to resume regular session only to adjourn. Mr. Chittenden seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Meeting The Council returned the regular session. Mr. Chittenden moved adjournment, Mr. Condos seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:10 PM. Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.