Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 07/12/1999CITY COUNCIL 12 JULY 1999 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 12 July 1999, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members Present: James Condos, Chair; Terrence Sheahan, Chris Smith Also Present: Peter Bestenbostel, Assistant City Manager; Albert Audette, Street Dept; Joe Weith, City Planner; Anna Johnston, The Other Paper; Bill Cimonetti, Hinda Miller, Navi E. Penson, Lynn Vera, Ellen Kirschner, Joni AvRutick, Debb Venn, Peter Plumeau, Charles Deslauriers 1. Comments and Questions from the Audience (not related to Agenda items): No issues were raised. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Bestenbostel announced the following: --a meeting hosted by VLCT regarding towns hosting corrections facilities, July 22, Noon-3 p.m. --a meeting of the local corporation advisory committee, 22 July, 4 p.m. -- a meeting of the City-School Cooperation Committee, 27 July, 7 p.m. -- a training session with the City Attorney for City Council, Development Review Board and Planning Commission, 29 July -- the Fire Department Open House, 12 September, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Fire Station #1. 3. Resolution Honoring the Career of Albert C. Audette: Mr. Condos read the Resolution. He noted this is the end of an era with Mr. Audette retiring after more than 30 years of service to the city. He said that Sonny has touched the lives of thousands of people in South Burlington and in the State of Vermont and has always made decisions in the interest of the community. 4. Interviews for appointments to Planning Commission and Development Review Board: The Council interviewed Al Frank: Mr. Frank indicated he has been a city resident for 7 years and has previously served on the Steering Committee for Technology in the Schools and on the selection committee for the School Superintendent. He said he has seen many things happening in the city and would like to be part of the process. He said his preference would be for the Development Review Board but would serve on either. Mr. Condos asked how Mr. Frank would see the Southeast Quadrant developing. Mr. Frank said he envisioned single-family homes. His concern was for traffic issues and how development takes place. Mr. Sheahan asked whether Mr. Frank thought the connection to Old Cross Rd. was possible. Mr. Frank felt it was but he would prefer to see it kept a residential area with the road designed to discourage through traffic. Mr. Smith asked about industrial development. Mr. Frank felt there had to be the proper mix in order to ease the burden on the taxpayers. 5. Public Hearing on amendments to the South Burlington Zoning Regulations 1) Section 28.10 Definitions and Article VI, Southeast Quadrant District to permit Schools in the Southeast Quadrant; 2) amend Section 6.601 to permit all non-residential uses permitted in the Southeast Quadrant to also be allowed in planned residential developments; 3) amend official city map to shift planned location of Mary Street Extension; second reading of same: a) Amendment to Sect. 28.10 and Art. VI: Mr. Weith showed the area on the map. He noted a number of non-residential uses are allowed as they were felt to be compatible with residential uses and with the character of the Quadrant. The Commission felt that adding elementary and secondary schools would fit. Mr. Weith then read the qualifications for elementary and secondary schools and stressed that the definition would not include dance studios, martial arts schools, tractor driving schools, etc. Elementary and secondary schools would be conditional uses. Mr. Cimonetti noted that he had been surprised to learn these uses had not been addressed in the SEQ and in all zones of the city. He said he could envision such uses an any one of the city zones. He also felt it was very important to identify an area for a future school. Ms. Vera, an educator at the High School, said that the amount of development in the SEQ is staggering. She felt a school would add to the sense of community and would give people the feeling the SEQ is more than lots of houses. She also felt kids shouldn't be "sent away" from their neighborhoods for schooling. Mr. Plumeau agreed and noted there was a policy in the city where he grew up that required schools that children could walk to. He, too, felt this was important for the sense of community. Ms. AvRutick said she would like to see schools in the SEQ including small private schools. She felt it was a good way to protect views and the environment. Ms. Venn wanted to see schools going up alongside all the houses in the SEQ as a means of integrating communities. b) non-residential uses in PRD's in the SEQ: Mr. Weith explained that residential and agricultural uses are permitted in the SEQ. Section 6.60 allows PRD's but Section 6.601 allows only residential uses in PRD's. The proposed amendment would allow residential and non-residential uses that are allowed elsewhere in the SEQ. He felt this had been an oversight 5 years ago when the SEQ section was drafted. c) change in Official City Map: Mr. Weith said the change would shift a roadway in the City Center. He showed the area on the map. The shift would result in an almost equal taking of land from the Munson and Judge properties. The proposed road would have an S curve and then enter the grid area as proposed. Mr. Sheahan moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Sheahan moved to waive the reading and approve the amendment to Section 28.10 and Article VI to permit schools in the Southeast Quadrant. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Smith moved to waive the reading and approve the amendment to Section 6.601 to allow non-residential uses which are allowed in the Southeast Quadrant to be allowed in PRD's in the Southeast Quadrant. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Sheahan moved to waive the reading and approve the change to the Official City Map as proposed. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Discussion of request from Dorset Land Company, Inc., for license from the city to "air rights" over Aspen Drive to construct a skywalk: Mr. Condos noted this request involves a proposed addition to a residential hotel which would join the two buildings. Mr. Weith said the sketch plan has been reviewed by the Planning Commission and Design Review Committee which generally supported it. He anticipated the Planning Commission would approve it. Mr. Deslauriers showed the plan and identified other uses on the site. The hotel has been in operation for over a year. They previously had approval for an office building on the site but would replace that with the hotel addition. It would be smaller than the proposed office building. Mr. Deslauriers gave members photos of the site with an artist's rendering of the proposed skybridge. Mr. Sheahan asked how far back it would be from Dorset St. Mr. Deslauriers estimated 25 ft. The bridge would be 7 to 8 ft. wide on the exterior. It would be 19 ft. from Aspen Drive to the bottom of the bridge. It will be possible to see people crossing the bridge from the street. Mr. Sheahan raised the question of snow falling from the bridge and potentially injuring someone on the street. Mr. Deslauriers said the roof would be very steep and would not accumulate much snow. The walkspace would be heated. Windows would be sealed. Mr. Sheahan asked about clearance from city roads. Mr. Audette said there was no problem with clearance but he was concerned with falling snow. Mr. Plumeau said these kinds of walkways exist in other cities. Mr. Cimonetti felt it was a very pleasing concept and very innovative. Mr. Deslauriers noted they don't propose any signs for the new building or for the walkway. Mr. Stitzel commented that a lot of skywalks are publicly owned, but the applicant proposes to maintain ownership of this one. Mr. Sheahan moved to have the City Attorney develop a licensing agreement with the developer regarding the proposed skywalk and to bring this to the Council for approval. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Consideration of Approval for Special Event Permit for National Night Out, Dorset Park, 3 August 1999: Mr. Bestenbostel said the event will be similar to past years with games, skating, a DJ, fireworks, etc. The rain date would be 5 August. The event is sponsored by the Police Department. Mr. Smith moved to approve the special events permit for National Night Out as proposed. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Discussion of proposal to conduct a public forum on community identity and development: Mr. Bestenbostel said the City Manager felt it was time for this and was looking for a sense from the Council. Questions to consider would include whether to use a facilitator, have small groups or large, etc. Members felt it was an excellent idea and that planning should start early. Mr. Bestenbostel said one thought was to have smaller meetings in several sections of the city, but this might be cumbersome. Mr. Audette stressed the need for a good mix of people, not just SEQ residents or business owners. Mr. Condos suggested coordinating this with the kick-off to the revision of the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Cimonetti suggested a spokesperson for various interests. Members agreed to have the City Manager proposed the details. 9. Review Zoning Notices for Meetings on 12 July and 26 July: No issues were raised. 10. Review Minutes of 14 June and 21 June: Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the Minutes of 14 June as written. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Smith moved to approve the Minutes of 21 June as written. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 12. Executive Session: Mr. Sheahan moved that the Council meet in Executive Session to deliberate on appointments to boards and commissions and to resume regular session only to possibly make such appointments and/or adjourn. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 13. Regular Session: Council returned to regular session. Terry Sheahan moved adjournment. David Austin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.