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Minutes - City Council - 08/10/1995
STEERING COMMITTEE 10 AUGUST 1995 The South Burlington Steering Committee held a meeting on Thursday, 10 August 1995, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: City Council: James Condos, David Maclaughlin, Michael Flaherty; Charles Hafter, City Manager School Board: Francis Murray, Dennis Snyder, Rob Leclair; Bruce Chattman, Superintendent of Schools Also Present: Joe Weith, City Planner; Darlene Worth, Judi Maynard, Marilyn Frederick, Joe O'Brien, School Dept; Bruce O'Neill, Recreation dept; Dean Economou, Dean Zoecklein, Jimmy Leas, Richard Wise, Betty Morwood, Wayne Staples, Stephen Incavo, Armand Dragon, R. DiFernando 1. Election of Officers: Mr. Condos opened the meeting by asking for nominations for Chair of the Steering Committee. Mr. Senyder nominated Mr. Leclair. Mr. Murray seconded the nominations. There were no further nominations and Mr. Leclair was elected unanimously. Mr. Flaherty then nominated Mr. Maclaughlin for Vice Chair. Mr. Murray seconded. There were no further nominations, and Mr. Maclaughlin was elected unanimously. Mr. Murray nominated Mr. Chattman as Secretary. Mr. Maclaughlin seconded. There were no further nominations, and Mr. Chattman was elected unanimously. 2. Discussion of Proposed Southeast Quadrant Golf Course in Relation to City Long-Range Park and School Site Plans: Mr. Hafter reviewed the history of this item. He noted that the Planning Commission has asked the Council and School Board to look at Mr. Economou's plans with a view to answering questions on the following issues: accept or modify these plans; potential elementary school site in the Southeast Quadrant, and the need for more public park land (or would the golf course be enough). Should school and park land be desired, they would require the city to purchase the bulk of the land. Mr. Hafter then asked Mr. O'Neill to review the history of the park land, the feasibility study, why decisions were made. Mr. O'Neill showed the areas on the map. He noted that in the 1980's the city's Comprehensive Plan identified a goal of acquiring 250 acres of land for recreation purposes. A concept was worked on with T. Boyle & Assoc. In 1986, the voters approved a bond to purchase park land, and the Brand Farm was thus acquired. The community park was opened this year. A design team was engaged to do a Master Park Plan which was approved in May, 1989. Mr. O'Neill then showed the various areas of the park and their proposed uses. Two major components of the park are the community park which is now being developed and a "country park" which would consist of pastoral lands south of Swift St. There is a network of greenbelt corridors also planned for bicycles and children as a safe passage area. Mr. O'Neill noted the site for the proposed elementary school is 14 acres with access from a looped road. He also noted that in January, 1992, a $1,500,000 bond was passed for purchase of the Calkins property and park development. Mr. Hafter then showed land now owned by the city. He said the plan envisioned development on one side of the ridge and on both sides of Dorset St. Mr. Hafter said that Mr. Economou first presented a plan with 800 housing units. The city then went into interim zoning and came up with the new Southeast Quadrant zoning. The current Economou has both a golf course and housing which would be back from the road. The previous housing plan actually hid the open space, now it is the opposite. Mr. Zoecklein then showed the sketch plan that was submitted in March. It was done as part of the feasibility study for the golf course. Since that sketch plan was submitted, they have been talking with neighbors and are making changes based on comments received. They are trying to preserve more trees and more green corridors. The plan now shows 9 holes of the course on each side of Dorset St. and some higher density housing units. Mr. Murray asked how they approached the need for a school site. Mr. Zoecklein showed the possible sites and said they are still fluid on this issue. Mr. Murray felt the original site was good and he also liked the park plan. He felt that before this site is given up, he would like to see that the schools get something for it. He definitely felt a school site had to be provided for. Mr. Flaherty noted that sticking to the original plan for the school/park site would cost the city about $25,000,000 for purchase and development. Mr. Condos said if the original site is adhered to there would be intensive development on Dorset St. to make up for the school/park land. This would hide the open land with two developments. He felt the golf course plan would open land for a considerable distance. With the old plan, a major road would also have to be developed. He also felt the school issue has to be settled. Mr. Hafter stressed that just because the school/park is shown in the Comprehensive Plan doesn't mean the city would not have to pay for the land. Mr. Chattman said the school would require 14-15 acres. Mr. Hafter noted a possible site near the Calkins property. This would give easy access to Dorset St. A third possible site is the LDB property. It is fairly flat and not in the most prime development area. The site near Hinesburg Rd. is already owned by the city. There is also a possibility of the Calkins property across from the Village at Dorset Park. It would be adjacent to facilities in the park and would be right on the Swift Street Extension. Mr. Chattman said the School Board has been reluctant to make a firm decision due to lack of clarity about options. There are concerns for a school facility 5-15 years from now, and they want to keep options open. The current facilities cannot accommodate 500 more students. He noted there are 417 registered at Orchard now and there were 387 last year. Supt. Chattman gave members enrollment projections. He said they will have to look at redistricting but feel they can survive with the additions presently being constructed until the year 2000. He stressed there is a definite need for another school site, and they need to consider options now. In five years, land will be more expensive. He said he preferred a site further out, but said they shouldn't wait 5 years to acquire it. Mr. Economou said they had always intended a school and park site in the plans because they had the density they needed, but with the new zoning, they had larger setbacks and density got smaller. He noted that with the golf course plan, they are still searching for units to make it work. He didn't favor the current school site with the golf course plan. Mr. Zoecklein then addressed the 15% requirement for recreation needs (land or cash) and noted that is the maximum the Planning Commission can take to satisfy the requirement. There is a question of whether the golf course would meet that requirement. It may be that 15% as a monetary contribution is the only way it can work. Mr. Weith said the Planning Commission is holding meeting on this and is looking at changes required for a golf course. The park/school site is a major problem. The Commission will have to make changed to the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Regulations in order to accommodate the proposed plans. Regarding the school site, the Commission feels it is important to show a specific site for a future school. The Commission also needs to know if the city is willing to give up the additional park land, and whether this would be outright or only if there is a golf course. Mr. Condos felt park land should be given up for the open space of the golf course. Mr. Chattman asked if the School Board came up with another site, there is a possibility they would be in the same bind in 5 years. He asked if it would help if the new site were put on the Official City Map. Mr. Weith said it would. It would give the city 120 days to pursue condemnation of land. Mr. Condos noted that without a golf course Mr. Economou could put 400 housing units on the land. The 200 units with the golf course would lessen the impact on the school. Mr. Leas asked where the 400 units comes from. He didn't think there's a big difference in the amount of open land with the 2 plans and felt the city might well vote for a park. Dr. Incavo asked if the city has land it could use for a school site. Mr. Condos said it does, located between the Calkins property and Hinesburg Rd. Dr. Incavo asked if a school could be put there without having to purchase more land. Mr. Condos said it could but the city would have to go to the voters to use the land for a school because it was purchased as a prime agriculture reserve. Mr. Leas noted that Randall Kay suggested using the Calkins property for some of the golf course. The school/park could be where now proposed. Mr. Wise said he felt Mr. Economou has made a lot of concessions to Butler Farms. He felt the Butler Farms concerns had been addressed. As far as a school site, he said he would prefer to see it moved to another location and give the Economou plan a chance. He felt the majority of people on the back side of Butler Farms feel the same way. Mr. DiFernando said Butler Farms' concerns have been addressed but Oak Creek still has questions since development has moved closer to Oak Creek. Ms. Morwood asked what would happen to the wetland along Moss Glen. Mr Zoecklein said nothing would happen to the wetland. The only impact would be the extension of Old Cross Road and the impact would be less than an acre. He then explained the required buffer zones. Mr. Staples questioned property owned by 5 people at the edge of Moss Glen and asked how close the development will come. Mr. Zoecklein said there would be more than 100 feet between them. The safety zone comes near to touching the line. They have plans to try to move it away. Mr. Wise asked how feasible it would be to get a school site at Dorset Park. Mr. Hafter said there is no site at Dorset Park. He then reviewed the possible sites. Mr. Condos stressed that each Board should get back to the Planning Commission with its plans and needs. 3. Update on School Construction and Review of School District Opening Schedule: Supt. Chattman said he was happy to announce that schools will open on schedule, 5 September. 4. Other Business: No issues were raised. 5. Minutes of 6 April 1995: Mr. Condos noted that on p. 1, the decrease in the tax rate is from .833 to .831. Mr. Hafter noted that on p. 3, 4th paragraph, the words "tax value" should be "tax payment." Mr. Murray moved to approve the Minutes of 6 April as amended. Mr. Snyder seconded. Motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.