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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 06/21/1999CITY COUNCIL 21 JUNE 1999 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 21 June 1999, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members present: James Condos, Chair; David Austin, Joan Britt, Terrance Sheahan, David Austin, Chris Smith Also present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Albert Audette, Street Dept; Joe Weith, City Planner; Peter Bestenbostel, Asst. City Manager; Anne Geggis, Free Press; Wendy Goodrich, Deb Sachs, Regional Planning Commission; Tim Eustace, City Attorney; Barbara Heeter, The Other Paper; William Burgess, Gayle Quimby, Dan O'Rourke, Planning Commission, Randall Kay, George Chamberland, Zoning Board; Garrison Roth, Tom Anderson, Lynn Fife, Dave Arms, Jr., Peter Collins, Eric Schmitt 1. Comments and questions from the audience (not related to agenda items): No issues were raised. 2. Announcements & City Manager's report: Mr. Sheahan announced a meeting of the Regional Planning Commission on Monday, 28 June, 7 p.m. Mr. Smith reported that the City/School Task Force held its first meeting last week and has scheduled future meetings for 1 July and 17 July. Mr. Condos advised that the Solid Waste Board will meet on Wednesday, 23 June, 7 p.m. Mr. Hafter reported on the following: · the addition of a Capital Equipment Refinancing Note for firefighting equipment to the agenda · the next City Council meeting will be on 12 July. Mr. Bestenbostel will sit in for Mr. Hafter at that meeting · the MPO will meet on 23 June, 7 p.m. in Winooski · the Corrections Center Liaison Committee will meet on 22 June at 4 p.m. at the facility · the annual GBIC corporate meeting will be at noon on 22 June · the 15th anniversary of Country Park will be at noon on 23 June; dinner will be served · Mr. Hafter read a letter regarding a talk that will be given on 7 July regarding commuter rail projects · John Clark Vickery has accepted the City Assessor position and will begin work on 12 July 3. Presentation of update to Chittenden Regional Plan by Chittenden County Regional Planning Organization: Ms. Goodrich noted there will be similar presentations to all 18 member communities. The Plan will be open to public comment as well as comments from public officials. A video was then shown to indicate the process of producing the plan and the overall goals and improvements in the plan. Presenters in the video indicated that the original intent in the update was to strengthen the language in the last plan. There is a new vision statement and a reorganized format which includes color maps. The focus of the plan is on growth centers. The guiding principle of the plan is the preservation of the integrity of the natural surroundings and the opportunity for residents to manage their quality of life. Some of the elements of the plan that address these principles are: · needed infrastructure to support increased population · lower land use per capita through establishment of growth centers · an economic base supported by environmentally sound companies paying good wages · innovative agricultural policies that support thriving farms · flourishing, healthy wildlife · alternate transportation modes directed away from cars · decreased per capita cost of water, sewer, energy by density in growth centers · ground and surface water quality that is the envy of the nation In addressing growth centers, the plan states that they will have: · identifiable boundaries · mixed use · higher density · safe sidewalks · support for development They will also reflect the historical pattern of development in the area. The transportation policy update recognizes the need for a link between land use and transportation planning. It includes the MPO"s long-range transportation plan. Both groups are working on an access management policy. A new glossary has added and simplified terms. An accompanying appendix contains documents that support goals, etc. Ms. Goodrich suggested that in commenting on the plan the city offer alternative language where they want changes. The city was also encouraged to "think regionally." Ms. Goodrich noted that local plans must be consistent with the Regional Plan and suggested that a proposed project be checked against the Regional Plan for compatibility. The first round of feedback from communities is due 15 September. The first public hearing is scheduled for 30 September. Mr. Fife asked if there is a side-by-side presentation of the old and new plans. Ms. Goodrich said the best thing is the Executive Summary. She suggested Mr. Fife get a copy of the 1996 plan. Mr. Condos asked who put the plan together in terms of ideas. Ms. Goodrich said there was an Update Committee which served in conjunction with the MPO, Chamber of Commerce, the Forum on Sprawl, etc. Mr. Condos asked if Ms. Goodrich felt it was a balanced committee. Ms. Goodrich said she never considered that but noted there were issues where there was disagreement on the committee. Mr. Condos commented that this is a "top down" plan, requiring a local plan to be changed to comply with the Regional Plan. He felt the Regional Plan should be adapted to meet the wishes of the member communities. Mr. Condos asked if there is anything in the plan on funding public transportation. Ms. Goodrich said there is not. Mr. Collins felt it is important for South Burlington that the plan goes from the "bottom up" and that it was important for the plan to reflect the vision that South Burlington has. Mr. Sheahan noted this plan is very strictly construed with "shalls" and "musts." Mr. Kay asked if the plan addresses Act 60 in terms of growth. Ms. Goodrich said it does not. Mr. Kay asked if that can be added since it has an enormous impact on many communities. Mr. Hafter stressed that if there is to be a regional land use plan that doesn't consider city boundaries and ignores tax issues, there will be a big problem. He also suggested putting the plan on the web site to get more public access to it. Mr. Condos said he would like to review the plan at a public meeting. He felt the Commission's time-line was too aggressive. Mr. Austin agreed and felt the quicker you do it, the less public opinion you get. Ms. Goodrich said they are committed to those dates. 4. Interviews with candidates for Development Review Board and Planning Commission: Mr. Condos reviewed the history of the formation of the two new Boards. Applicants then gave a brief review of their backgrounds and their interest in serving: Mr. O'Rourke said he has been on the Planning Commission for 3 years and enjoys the work. He would prefer to serve on the Development Review Board but would accept either board. Mr. Anderson is new to the city from Milton where he served on the Planning Commission. He has no board preference. Mr. Kay has been on the Zoning Board for 4 years. He prefers the Planning Commission because it appears to have less of a time commitment and he is dealing with family illness. Ms. Quimby has been on the Planning Commission for 5 years and has learned a great deal. She expressed pleasure at seeing the City Center finally begin to take shape. She would serve on either board. Mr. Fife is a retired UVM professor who has done research in land planning. He would prefer the Planning Commission. Mr. Roth is new to Vermont. He was in Europe for 6 years and has a background in financing and developing real estate. He had no board preference. Mr. Schmitt has been a resident for 3 years. He is in real estate management and is now with the Burlington Community Land Trust. He would prefer the Development Review Board. Mr. Arms is returning to South Burlington after a long absence. He is an economist and dairy broker. He would serve on either board. Mr. Chamberland has been on the Zoning Board for 8 years. He praised the new process set up by Ray Belair. He would prefer the Development Review Board. Mr. Burgess has served the city in various capacities for about 30 years, the last 16 on the Planning Commission. He felt "planning" has suffered in the past few years because of the need to address so many development plans. He would prefer the Planning Commission. Ms. Britt asked applicants if there was any one issue that aroused their interest. Mr. Fife said he was intensely interested in the Southeast Quadrant and noted that he was part of the Friends of Muddy Brook. He felt development in the Quadrant should be closer to the city center. Mr. Burgess said he was interested in finding some way to get the City Center going. Mr. Condos noted there has been discussion about a possible municipal center with a new City Hall, post office and possibly a library. Mr. Arms was concerned with sprawl. Mr. O'Rourke noted there is a predicted 20% growth in population in the near future, and where to put people may require changing previously held ideas. Mr. Smith asked if the Planning Commission has interacted with the School Board. Mr. Weith said there has been very little interaction and probably should be more. Mr. Condos explained the selection process and thanked applicants for their interest. Mr. Hafter suggested that when boards are formed there be a joint meeting with the city attorney to review rules, responsibilities, procedures, etc. 5. Consideration of approval of resolution for establishment of special assessment district for public sewer improvements, 1263-1408 Spear Street: Mr. Hafter reviewed the history of the item. The district is composed of 15 homes, all of whom agree to the special assessment. This means no public vote is needed to establish the district. The project is being designed now. Mr. Austin moved to approve the Resolution to establish the special assessment district for public sewer improvements at 1263-1408 Spear Street as presented. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Consideration of request from J.A. McDonald to quitclaim "school rights" interest in Vermont National property: Mr. Eustace explained that a part of the Vermont National property was reserved in the 1800's as school property via a perpetual lease, assignable by the lessee. This was typical of town charters in this period. When South Burlington separated from Burlington, Burlington retained its interest in the school fund property. McDonald will need a quitclaim deed from both cities. Mr. Eustace did not know what Burlington has done about this issue yet. Mr. Collins said Burlington has started a dialogue. He felt this is a clearing title issue that needs to be resolved once and for all. Mr. Austin asked if the land is wholly on the McDonald property. Mr. Eustace said they couldn't discern that. There is certainly a portion of it on their property. Mr. Eustace didn't think the city would be giving up much by quitclaiming the property since Burlington has retained those interests. Burlington is the leaseholder of the property rights. Mr. Condos asked what the process to solve this would be. Mr. Eustace said the city would have to follow statutory requirements with a 30-day public notice. Mr. Austin moved that the city follow the statutory procedure in regard to the "school rights" quitclaim and set a public hearing for 16 August. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Review entertainment license application for Magic Hat Brewing Company, in cooperation with Flynn Theater presenting the Dory Varone Dance Company followed by a swing dance party: Mr. Hafter said the whole event would be inside, from 6 p.m. to Midnight on 9 July. All the paperwork is in order. Mr. Austin moved to approve the entertainment license for Magic Hat Brewing Company as presented. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7a. Capital Equipment Refinancing Note: Mr. Hafter said this is the second year of the note. It is for $20,000 at 3.9% interest and is for the Scot Air-Paks. Mr. Austin moved to approve the Note and Borrowing Resolution as presented. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Review Zoning Notices for public hearing on 6/28/99: No issues were raised. 9. Review Planning Commission Agenda for 6/22/99: Ms. Britt noted that a lot of people are very concerned about the amount of residential development in the Southeast Quadrant, particularly in light of Act 60. She felt they may need to rethink what is going on in the quadrant. Mr. Condos noted there is a Comprehensive Plan review scheduled for later this year. That would be a good time to address this concern. Mr. Sheahan felt it was very important for the Superintendent of School to be in the loop on these concerns. 10. Review minutes of 7 June 1999: Ms. Britt moved to approve the minutes of 7 June 1999 as presented. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Sign disbursement orders: Disbursement orders were signed. Executive Session: Ms. Britt moved the Council meet in Executive Session to discuss appointments to boards and commission, and contract negotiations, and to resume regular session only to make appointment and/or adjourn. Mr. Austin seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular session: the Council returned to open session. Mr. Sheahan moved adjournment. Mr. Austin seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:30 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.