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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 04/01/1996CITY COUNCIL 1 APRIL 1996 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 1 April 1996, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chair; Michael Flaherty, James Condos Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peg Strait, Asst. City Manager; Joe Weith, City Planner; Lee Graham, Police Chief; Sonny Audette, Street Dept; Art Hogan, Herb Durfee, Regional Planning; George Khouri, Larry Chetti, Dean Economou, Dean Zoecklein, Dave Marshall, Randall Kay 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda items): No issues were raised. 2. Announcements and City Manager's Report: Mr. Hafter made the following announcements: a. Chittenden County Manager will be meeting next week to discuss centralized dispatching. b. There will be an Open House at the Community Library on 14 April. c. The City Council will be discussing proposed amendments to the City Charter at its meeting on 15 April. d. The Police Dept. has been involved in a number of community projects. Dispatchers have developed "Project Good Morning" which provides voice contact for people who are alone. Those interested in having this service can contact Police Dispatcher Debby Ploof or Officer John Kruger. e. Chief Graham reported that Saturday's Kops & Kids program drew almost 1,000 children. The U.S. Attorney General was there providing national attention to the program. She will use the program as a model on her travels throughout the country. Chief Graham also reported on a meeting held recently with Neighborhood Watch Captains. 3. Public Hearing on Amendment to Zoning Regulations, Definition of Shopping Center to add "automotive repair facilities" as a permitted use; second reading of same: Mr. Weith said the Planning Commission felt such facilities are typically found in shopping center and that it had the ability to control any possible negatives (e.g. outside storage of junk cars, etc.). Mr. Flaherty moved to close the Public Hearing. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Flaherty moved to waive the reading of the amendment to the Zoning Regulations. Definition of Shopping Center, and to approve it as presented. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Public Hearing on Ordinance to Amend the South Burlington Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations; Establishment of No Parking Zone in the Commercial Areas of Imperial Drive Adjacent to Shelburne Rd; second reading of same: Mr. Cimonetti noted this had been brought about by changes in the area due to new development on the corner. Mr. Hafter added that residents have advised that at some times of the year there is a dangerous situation because people park on the street. With the new development, there will be a new driveway on Imperial Drive for a pizza restaurant. Mr. Weith said the approved widening of the street goes back about 150-175 feet to the Northern Stereo driveway. There will now be one entering and 2 exiting lanes from Imperial Drive. Mr. Flaherty moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Flaherty moved to waive the reading and approve the ordinance to amend the Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations to establish a No Parking Zone in the commercial areas of Imperial Drive adjacent to Shelburne Road. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Continued Discussion of Planned Construction Work on Proctor Avenue: Mr. Audette showed plans of the present condition of the road. With the proposed work, there will be curbs on both sides of the street. The sidewalk on the north side of the street cannot be relocated because of power poles. Mr. Audette said he has become aware that the storm drain system may have to be replaced and this would be done at the same time as the road work. The street gets a lot of water flow from the Rice H.S. area and from golf course drainage. Mr. Flaherty asked if there would be any taking of land from residents. Mr. Audette said all work will be in the city right-of-way. A few city trees will be lost but they will be replaced. Mr. Cimonetti said a letter should be sent to residents to tell them exactly what will happen. Mr. Audette said work will probably end at the Burlington line to avoid paying their excavating fee. Mr. Weith asked how this project would mesh with neckdowns being done this year. He thought one or two would be on Proctor Ave. Mr. Audette felt there would not be any conflict. Mr. Audette estimated that most of the work on Proctor Ave. would be done by 1 August. 6. Presentation of Draft Chittenden County Regional Plan: Mr. Hogan said Regional Planning is looking for input from communities by April 30, and they are looking to act on the Plan by 30 July. Hearings will be held prior to that time. The vision statements that will appear on pages 9-17 are currently being rewritten. Mr. Hogan said Regional Planning's staff is willing to meet with South Burlington officials to discuss any issues. Mr. Condos noted some maps are missing, and he specifically asked to see the Community Facilities Map. He also asked when the vision statements would be available. Mr. Hogan estimated about the third week in April. He added that the community would have the opportunity to make comments through mid-July. Mr. Condos expressed concern that there are a large number of changes where "shall" or "will" has replaced "should." He said it appears that these are now mandates and that Regional Planning is attempting to remove some local control. Mr. Hogan said that shouldn't be a problem. Mr. Condos also noted there is a statement that the intention is for all utilities to be placed underground. He said that last year at the request of the Agency of Transportation this was changed so it is now very difficult to underground utilities. 50% of the expense must now be borne by the community. Mr. Condos specifically cited the Shelburne Rd. project where there will now have to be overhead power lines and cross-overs. Mr. Hogan responded that raises the question of the ability to find a receptive ear when a state agency such as the AOT lobbies with the Legislature against local community wishes. He expressed his concern that the Legislature does not get sufficient representation from the communities. He said there needs to be community insistence on what is wanted. He also cited the problem with money taken from the transportation budget to finance other budgets. Mr. Flaherty said it would take 76 votes to get those funds back into the transportation budget, and he did not feel the votes are there. Mr. Hafter asked how it would be possible to prevent opponents to a plan from filing their opposition based on the fact that utilities are not being undergrounded when the Regional Plan says they should be. Mr. Cimonetti added that this poses a dilemma for the community: does it approve something it wants but which may someday prevent the project from being built. Regarding adoption of the Regional Plan, Mr. Hogan said it takes 51% of the communities to approve it and 60% to defeat it. Mr. Hafter asked whether an economist has looked at the plan for impact on economic development. Mr. Cimonetti asked if Regional Planning has anything specific it is trying to accomplish in this plan that previously couldn't be accomplished. Mr. Hogan said they experimented in 1991 with growth center planning. He felt that some of the growth centers they located may need adjustment for various regions. Mr. Condos cited some concerns with regard to the siting of the Redmond Rd. Regional Solid Waste Permanent Landfill. Mr. Hogan said he has written to Williston about this but received no response. He will provide a copy of this letter to South Burlington. Mr. Cimonetti said he felt Regional Planning should make a statement as to what they are trying to accomplish with this plan and the community should state what it wants. 7. Discussion of Revision of Policy on Coin Drops: Mr. Hafter said that although there have been no accidents to date, there have been people in intersections during green light cycles and this is very dangerous. Mr. Condos said the situation will now be worse with added turn lanes. Mr. Cimonetti noted that the Council had said last year would be the final year for allowing coin drops. Mr. Flaherty agreed they should end now and that organizations should be notified that this is being done for safety reasons. Members agreed to end coin drops in the city. 8. Discussion of City Council Position on Items Related to Proposed Economou Planned Residential Development and Golf Course: Mr. Weith said there are three issues the Planning Commission wanted the City Council to consider: 1. a proposed new road through the park. The Planning Commission supports the concept but felt this should have Council approval. 2. a street standards issue. Nowland Farm Rd. will be extended. The applicant proposes no curbs so there will be less impact on the wetlands. The Planning Commission passed the Preliminary Plat with a requirement for curbs but wants input from the Council on this prior to Final Plat. 3. The Planning Commission wants a formal statement from the Council approving the golf course instead of a public park. Mr. Weith noted the park recommendation was left in the Comprehensive Plan with language to allow other types of recreation instead of the park. 4. The Planning Commission also wants a formal statement that the Council does not wish to pursue condemnation of land for a school site. Mr. Zoecklein then addressed these issues individually. 1. He showed the proposed road through the park noting that Messrs. Audette and O'Neill feel it should be further south. The two possible sites are now staked in the field. The road will give the public more access to parts of the park. There can also be areas for parking for winter sports use. The applicant would extend the bike path across the ridge and into the park. The road also serves some of the project's development. Mr. Cimonetti asked if the road would be to city standards. Mr. Zoecklein said they began with the concept for a limited access road, but that is hard to do. It is actually an emergency access road to the units, so it would have to be maintained all year. To slow traffic down, they will put a number of bends in the road. They are not proposing curbs or storm drainage. It would be built to "rural road" standard. The road would consist of two 12-foot paved lanes, no curbs, as curvy as possible but still safe. It would be a public street, turned over to the city. There would be no bike lane at this time because they don't know where it should come out. The easement for the road would be 60 ft. all through Economou Farms land. 2. On the Nowland Farm Rd., they had proposed just a cul de sac to end the road. There is an arterial road that needs to connect, but the problem is a wetland connected hydrologically to a very big wetland. By changing the road to a collector instead of arterial, they can squeeze the road in and also include another 20 ft. for a bike path (total of 80 ft.). They are trying to reduce the impact on the wetland. This road would have no curbs. There would still be some minor impacts on the wetland. The proposed road would also be to rural road standards. Mr. Cimonetti said he thought the "no curbs" would be only for the portion where they wanted sheet drainage. Mr. Zoecklein said that could be done. Mr. Weith noted that the Planning Commission wanted the entire road with curbs and enclosed drainage. Mr. Weith said he concurs with Mr. Zoecklein. Mr. Audette said he didn't see a big problem with the road as proposed. It would be very like Old Cross Rd. He would like to understand the wetland issue more before waiving all curbs. He was also concerned with driveways and the need for culverts. He said these are nothing but problems. Mr. Zoecklein said that is a valid point that needs to be addressed. Mr. Cimonetti said he would like the proposed park road to be planned to carry both cars and bikes. Mr. Zoecklein asked if the Council would consider a bike path that is not necessarily part of the road. Mr. Cimonetti said he would. He just didn't want a dead end bike path. Mr. Cimonetti asked if the park road could be built all on Economou Farms property. Mr. Zoecklein said that would be very hard to do. Mr. Cimonetti reiterated he would like the park road usable by cars and bicycles. On the other road, he would like standards relaxed in a minimum fashion and only to accommodate drainage with no impact on the wetlands. He also would like it curbed where possible. Mr. Condos moved that the City Council express its support for the proposed golf course as proposed as meeting the City's recreation needs in lieu of acquisition of an additional 135 acres east of Dorset Street for addition to Dorset Park. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Condos then moved the City Council express its intent to not pursue condemnation of the proposed school site located east of Dorset Street as shown on the City's Official Map. Mr. Flaherty seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Economou noted that the Act 250 hearing has been closed. Mr. Zoecklein said they hope to start construction of the golf course in May. It would probably be finished in 2 years. 9. Appointment of Town Service Officer: Mr. Flaherty moved to appoint City Manager Charles Hafter as Town Service Officer. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Information Items: Mr. Hafter drew attention to information items on the Steering Committee Agenda and the Library open House. 11. Review Zoning Board Agenda for 8 April: No issues were raised. 12. Review Minutes of 18 March 1996: Mr. Flaherty moved the Minutes of 18 March be approved as written. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.