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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 08/18/1997CITY COUNCIL 18 AUGUST 1997 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 18 August 1997, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: William Cimonetti, Chair; James Condos, David Austin, Joan Britt. Also Present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peg Strait, Assistant City Manager; Albert Audette, Highway Dept; Joe Weith, City Planner; Bill Simindinger, Jared Larrow, John Belter, Kristina Bielenberg, Denise Girard, Donald & Stephanie Miner, Donald Foss, Susan Greenbaugh, Linda Seavey, Ed Fischer; Anna Johnston, The Other Paper. 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda items): No issues were raised. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Cimonetti announced an MPO meeting on Wednesday, 27 August at 3 p.m. at Williston Town Hall. Mr. Hafter announced the following: a. The date of the next Council meeting will be Tuesday, 2 September, 7:30 p.m. b. Since the city has been responding to the state's Fish & Wildlife "hotline," they are being rewarded with a "Game Luncheon," 26 August, 11:30. c. There will be a Shriner's Parade on 13 September at 2 p.m., This is a week after the Shriner's Circus to be held at Dorset Park. d. The Fire Dept. Open House will be on 14 September, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A chicken luncheon will be available. Mr. Audette advised that the Shelburne Road by-pass is being prepared and will be in use next week. It will cross over about half way down the Southern Connector to QCP Rd. QCP Road will be closed above this during this phase of construction. Motorists will have to use Flynn Ave. There will be one northbound and one southbound lane on Shelburne Rd. The hope is that work can be done in 3-4 weeks instead of the 8 weeks it would have taken the other way. Mr. Condos commented that White Street is now looking great. 3. Interviews for Appointment to the Zoning Board of Authority: The Council interviewed William Simendinger and Jarred Larrow. Mr. Simendinger said he has applied because is doing a lot of zoning law and he felt it was the next step he needed to take. He said he has the ability to analyze and also has a good understanding of the process. He felt towns are vulnerable and should pick the best people to be on boards. Mr. Cimonetti noted that Mr. Simendinger has a number of properties and would have to step down if any of them were involved in a Board action. There are also a lot of Board actions that revolve around filling stations, and there could also be a conflict of interest if one of Mr. Simendinger's competitors were in front of the Board. Mr. Simendinger acknowledged there could be some instances in which he might be uncomfortable and he would have to make a decision on a per case basis. Ms. Britt asked if there are any specific zoning issues Mr. Simendinger is particularly interested in. He replied that he had a lot of opinions about zoning in South Burlington, things he would like to see be better. Mr. Condos asked how the applicant felt about the partnership between the Zoning and Planning Boards. Mr. Simendinger said he didn't see any conflicts. He felt there were some goals in the Comprehensive Plan that could not be carried out because of a lot of sophisticated performance standards. Mr. Larrow grew up in Burlington. He is a financial advisor to American Express and wants to be involved in the community. He felt it would be a shame to lose a lot of nice neighborhoods and he favored reasoned development as opposed to random sprawl. Mr. Cimonetti explained the selection process. 4. First Reading of Amendment to the City Ordinance for the Care and Control of Dogs to establish a program to license and regulate cats; Schedule public hearing: Mr. Hafter said the name of the Ordinance will be changed to Ordinance for the Care and Control of Dogs and Cats. The amendment is a result of the response of citizens to the rabies problems and the possibility of cats bringing the virus back to humans. It will require licensing of cats in the same way as dogs with the exception that licensed cats will not be subject to the leash law. License tags will need to be worn only off the owner's property. The amendment also includes a $2.00 increase in fees for the licensing of dogs and cats which will help pay for rabies control. Mr. Cimonetti noted that there already is a law that cats be vaccinated against rabies. Ms. Johnston noted there is a danger of cats choking if collars get caught when they are climbing trees, etc. Mr. Fischer noted that there is a larger danger to the public from not requiring licensing. Mr. Condos moved to waive reading of the amendment, to approve the first reading with the addition of ". . . and Cats" to the Ordinance title, and to schedule a public hearing for 15 September 1997. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Presentation from UVM on Campus Master Plan Revisions: Ms. Seavey said the plan revisions represent 3 years work and include a comprehensive land use plan which looks to a 10-year time span. There will be a 5-year update. The draft will be presented to the Board of Trustees for their October meeting. In the plan, the campus is divided into 5 main districts: central campus, Centennial campus, Redstone campus, athletic campus, and south campus. The last of these includes properties in South Burlington. Ms. Seavey showed these on the map. The plan focuses on environmental stewardship and includes a commitment to work with larger communities. The University has downsized its future enrollment projections to 7100-7300 undergraduates, 1200-1300 graduates, and 375 medical students. Staff is estimated at 3050. Figures also include 1600+ evening students and 4000+ summer students. The major concerns of the plan are aesthetics, accessibility, environmental sensitivity, circulation, compatibility and flexibility. UVM is committed to preserving natural areas for research. Ms. Seavey then reviewed the principles for development. Primary among this is open space. For the first time "open space" has been defined and a commitment stated to monitoring greens, quads, spaces between buildings, buffers, setbacks, etc. Areas such as the East Woods section of South Burlington will not be available for future development above or below ground. Also in South Burlington, there will be a 100 foot setback from Spear Street and northbound of the farm. There will also be a 150 foot setback from I-89 and I-189 and in areas where UVM abouts residential neighborhoods. The Edlund Track on Spear Street will also have open space restrictions in areas controlled by Conservation District restrictions. Open Space areas that are available for future development within zoning restrictions include the Bio Research Complex (Hort Farm) the Hoag & Edlund tracts, Miller Research Farm, Deslauriers Tract, Whittlesey Tract, Martin Tract, Wheelock Tract. Projects for the next 5 years will be mostly for renovation work and include: Waterman Building, Aiken Center, Library Addition, family housing and a Student Center. The university does not plan to purchase any residential properties for conversion. Mr. Cimonetti expressed pleasure at seeing bike paths on the plan and thanked UVM for giving easements for those paths. He noted that most UVM property in South Burlington is in agricultural use and asked if that use will continue. Ms. Seavey anticipated it would for the next 10 years. She noted that some proposed projects don't yet have sites, but most of these would not be in the South Campus areas as they need to be near the primary academic area. No traditional undergraduate housing is planned. Mr. Foss said the plan is absolutely to continue agricultural uses. He said UVM has changed its thinking about getting properties further out and now plans to use current facilities for research, teaching, etc. This makes currently owned properties more "dear to our hearts." Mr. Foss noted that UVM is unique in the proximity of agricultural activities to the main campus, and the use of these facilities is much greater than it was a few years ago. UVM also plans to continue the Hort Center as a teaching facility. Mr. Cimonetti noted the city's very long range plan includes the possibility of a road through that property (the extension of Holmes Rd.). The proposed route of this road was shown. Mr. Cimonetti felt it would be to everyone's advantage to have Planners get together on a proposed route that would make sense to everyone. Ms. Bielenburg thanked Ms. Seavey for the significant improvement in the planning process and for incorporating environmental concerns. She asked who participates in a site selection process. Ms. Seavey said there is a "space management" group which gets proposed projects from college deans. Deans may ask for a specific site or ask advice from the space management group. There is also a public planning process which allows for public input. Mr. Audette asked about the possibility of a tunnel which had once been discussed for the area where cattle are now crossing. Neither Ms. Seavey nor Mr. Foss knew anything about this. Mr. Condos asked what happens to UVM land with the reconfiguration of the Jughandle. Ms. Seavey said nothing happens. Mr. Condos noted impacts to South Burlington from building going on in Burlington, especially traffic. He said he would like to see less traffic impact on residential neighborhoods. Ms. Seavey noted that buffers have been added along Spear St. with the neighborhood in mind. Projections are to maintain current athletic lands, and there won't be any more big complexes. Mr. Condos also noted that South Burlington would like to get its share of "payment in lieu of taxes" instead of all these funds going to Burlington. 6. Public Hearing on proposed amendment to the Zoning Regulations to allow valet parking, Airport transient parking and long-term parking as a conditional use in the I-C District; second reading: Mr. Weith showed the district areas on the map. He noted that the request arose from a business owner. The Planning Commission felt the use was similar to what is allowed in that district and therefore approved the use. Mr. Belter, owner of much of the property in the District, said the use is similar to already existing uses such as car rentals. Mr. Austin asked about traffic generation. Mr. Weith noted that a lot of other uses would generate more traffic than this use. The Commission made it a conditional use so that traffic could be considered. No other issues were raised. Ms. Britt moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Austin moved to amend Section 15.20 to add 15.226 and 15.227 as proposed. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. First Reading of amendment to City Ordinance establishing a no parking zone on White Street on the south side from Patchen Road to Airport Drive and on the north side of White Street from Airport Parkway to Chamberlain school; schedule public hearing: Mr. Cimonetti noted this is being done for safety reasons so there is no parking on the side of the street with the sidewalk. He asked that a sketch be provided at the public hearing showing where there would and would not be parking. Mr. Condos moved to waive the reading of the proposed amendment and approve the first reading with the addition of changes to be proposed and to schedule a public hearing for 15 September. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Consideration of approval of Capital Equipment Refunding Note and Resolution for the Fire Station doors: Mr. Hafter said this is the last year of a 4-year loan. It is at 3.5% interest with the loan figure at $3400. He noted that the cost of the doors has been paid for with savings in energy costs. Mr. Condos moved to approve the Note and Resolution as presented. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Request for approval of Capital Equipment Note, Borrowing Resolution and Non-Arbitrage Resolution for purchase of sidewalk plow: Mr. Hafter advised that this is a new piece of equipment and is in the budget. Mr. Audette said they are trading in the old plow. Mr. Austin moved to approve the Capital Equipment Note, Borrowing Resolution and Non-Arbitrage Resolution in the amount of $69,000. as presented. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Review Zoning Agenda for 25 August 1997: No issues were raised. 11. Review Planning Commission Agenda for 19 August 1997: No issues were raised. 12. Review Minutes of 4 August 1997: Mr. Condos moved to approve the Minutes of 4 August as written. Ms. Britt seconded. The motion passed 3-0 with Mr. Austin abstaining. 13. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement orders were signed. 14. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Austin moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented a second class liquor license request from Dakin Farms, Inc., dba Dakin Farms, at 100 Dorset Street. He said the application is in order. Mr. Austin moved to approve the second class liquor license request from Dakin Farms, Inc., as presented. Mr. Condos seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Executive Session: Mr. Austin moved the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session to discuss appointment to Boards and Commissions and to resume regular session only to make such appointments and/or adjourn. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session. Joan Britt moved the appointment of Bill Simendinger to the two-year unfinished portion of a four-year term (1999) on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. David Austin seconded. The motion passed unanimously, with Jim Condos abstaining due to a potential conflict. Joan Britt moved to adjourn. David Austin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.