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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 10/07/1999PUBLIC FORUM 7 OCTOBER 1999 The City of South Burlington held a Public Town Meeting on Thursday, 7 October 1999, at 7:00 p.m., in the Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School. Those present: Peter Cole, Moderator; City Council: James Condos, Chair; David Austin, Joan Britt, Terry Sheahan, Chris Smith; Peter Bestenbostel, Assistant City Manager; Joe Weith, Director of Planning & Zoning; Planning Commission: Marcel Beaudin, Tom Anderson; Development Review Board; John Dinklage, George Chamberland; State Representatives: Michael Flaherty, Frank Mazur, Susan Wheeler, Ann Pugh; Bruce Chattman, Superintendent of Schools; Lee Graham, Police Chief; Art Wolf, UVM Dept. of Economics; Kevin Dorn, Home Builders Association; John Ewing, Vt. Forum on Sprawl; Sheri Larsen, Chamber of Commerce; F. Kosnitsky, S. Behar, L. Yankowski, G. Bowers, A. Frank, D. Wetzel, C. & G. Lothrop, R. Barone, E. Horton, P. Flaherty, D. Kauck, R. Butterfield, N. & J. Simson, C. Pecor, P. Steinman, S. Lascala, M. Vinci, M. & K. Magnant, M. Stowell, A. & G. Simone, L. Beaulieu, B. Miller, J. Rutkowski, P. Galloway, L. Budd, L. & L. Bresee, S. Dopp, D. Harley, A. Emery, R. Fay, F. Blais, A & R. Carey, R. Veve, J. Rand, C. Ormsbee, M & K. Flaherty, C. & D. Pecor, E. & P. Brody, M. Edwards-Orr, L. Kupferman, H. Whitcomb, S. Clark, P. Jacob, L. O'Brien, Jr., G. & H. Paterson, M. & J. Lowe, D. & P. McArthur, B. & J. Smyle, D. Chattman, B. Hibbitts, D. Wood, S. & K. Margulies, D. & S. O'Biren, E. Johnson, J. Arioli, M. Cote, K. Johnson, S. Kermaugh, M. Auclair, K. & D. Gage, K. Unsworth, B. West, A. Germain, S. Howe, J. Cameron, L. Leavens, K. Donahue, J. & C. Taja Hall, B. Hest, L. Bennett, B. McDonald, W. Roberts, K. Cook, J. Ewing, S. & G. Katz, C. Berger, M. Morcelli, B. Schuele, L. Beninger Mr. Condos welcomed the community to the forum. He noted that future forums will be held on 10/21 and 12/15. Between these two forums, action teams will be meeting. Mr. Condos stressed the need to respect the views of others and to be willing to compromise. Mr. Condos then introduced community leaders from the City Council, House of Representatives, School Board, Peter Jacob, Chair of the Chittenden Water District. Mr. Condos noted that the Water District had just won the first award for having the best water in the nation. The process for these meetings began a few months ago when the city began to see pressure for housing. The Council felt it best to get as much input as possible as so many aspects of development need to be considered. Mr. Condos noted that several years ago, the city put interim zoning into effect in the Southeast Quadrant so the area could be studied. Consultants were hired, and eventually a plan was adopted that would allow for just under 4000 units to be built in that area (1.2 per acre). Developments could be clustered on buildable land. In recent years, things have happened that make the city want to look at that area again. There is also the plan for South Burlington's "downtown," the City Center. In this area, much greater density would be allowed. Mr. Condos noted that if the city stopped all development tomorrow, there would still be more traffic in the city because of what is going on around the County. Mr. Condos then introduced Moderator Peter Cole. Mr. Cole asked members of the audience to introduce themselves to a person near them and share their backgrounds in South Burlington. Mr. Cole then introduced Joe Weith, Director of Planning & Zoning. Mr. Weith reviewed the city map, noting boundaries, I-89 going through the middle of the city, major roads, landmarks (e.g., Airport), City Center, and city parks. South Burlington encompasses 10,600 acres or 16.6 sq. miles. The current population is 14,650. There are 6100 housing units plus a great deal of commercial development. 28% of the land in the city is forest or transitional, 24% is agricultural, 17% is residential, 13% transportation, 7% parks/recreation, 6% commercial, 3% institutional, and 1% each for industrial and water. 40% of the land in the city is developed, 60% is not. Since 1970, 4600 new residents have moved to the city, approximately a 1.5% growth average. It is projected that in the year 2020, the city will have grown to 20,000 residents. This means about 250 additional people per year. Approximately 2300 new housing units would be required to accommodate this population growth. Mr. Weith showed a graph of residences permitted since 1979. This averages about 125 per year. Building has picked up since 1993, and a large number of permits have been issued this year. Mr. Weith then showed permitted commercial, industrial, and institutional development. This has also picked up significantly since 1995. The city has engaged in a number of planning initiatives since 1996 when the City Center plan was adopted. Dorset Park was created in 1989. A Southeast Quadrant study was done in 1990. The Rec Path system was begun in 1992 as a citizen's initiative. Transportation planning has been continuous during that time. Mr. Cole then introduced Joe Segale, transportation planner for the MPO. Mr. Segale said that South Burlington generates and attracts over 200,000 "person trips" per day. This represents 27% of the County's traffic demand. The city has only 10% of the County's population and 18% of the County's employment. The 1990 census included a "journey to work" survey which showed that only 14% of those who work in South Burlington live in South Burlington. 98.9% of those who work in the city come by car, .3% come by public transit, and .7% walk or bike to work. 30% of the traffic in South Burlington is through traffic. Traffic in the 1980's and 1990's grew faster in South Burlington than in the rest of the state. It is projected that by 2018 the number of person trips will level off, but congestion will "go through the roof" because the system is reaching capacity. Mr. Segale showed on the map the areas where congestion will show up. Mr. Segale then reviewed some current/planned transportation projects. These include the Exit 13 on-ramp, reconstruction of Kennedy Drive, Shelburne Rd., and Main Street, and the I-89 Williston Rd. bridge maintenance project. Mr. Segale drew the following conclusions about transportation in South Burlington: ¨ South Burlington is a destination town ¨ Regional accessibility is important to South Burlington ¨ Congestion will rise at a rate 3 to 4 times the population growth ¨ Current projects are important but will not solve the problems ¨ The walking/biking share of the market is very low. Mr. Condos noted that City Manager Chuck Hafter could not attend this meeting due to an injury to his back. Mr. Condos gave Mr. Hafter's report. He began by reviewing the 10-year capital asset additions. He noted that Phase III of the Rec Path is finally going to bid and should be built next year. Other projects include: the Bartlett Bay Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade, I-89 Dorset St. on-ramp, I-89 Hinesburg Rd. Interchange, Williston Rd. widening (which is being pushed back), City Hall repairs, Kennedy Drive construction (hoped for next year), Hinesburg Rd. construction, aquatic facility (being looked into by a citizens' committee), a possible "Government House" in the City Center, public works building (approved by the voters last year), Lime Kiln Bridge rebuild (due for 2001). Other potential projects include: Airport Dr. extension, connector streets such as Swift St. Extension, Market St., Allen Rd., Deerfield Drive, acquisition of additional parkland/open space, recreation path extensions at the Lime Kiln Bridge, Muddy Brook (Williston), Dorset St. (Shelburne), and South Burlington neighborhoods, and a Vermont Community Botanical Gardens. The city is also looking into the possibility of a City Center Development Corporation and expansion of CCTA bus services and other alternative transportation opportunities. Mr. Cole then introduced Supt. of Schools Bruce Chattman. Supt. Chattman reviewed the history of a possible future school site. He noted that a committee had been given the charge to look for an alternate site after the Economou property site was given up. The committee has now identified a site off Swift Street Extension as it approaches Dorset Street. This is city owned land, so there would be no expense to acquire the property. Supt. Chattman noted that the schools have had a 32% growth in six years. A lot of this is due to turnover of older housing to families with children. He said the reputation of the South Burlington schools is drawing people to the community. A decision will have to be made as to the configuration of a future school (K-3, Middle School, etc.). The presentation by community leaders was followed by a panel discussion. The panel was comprised of Art Wolf, UVM Economics professor and publisher of the Vermont Economy Newsletter, Kevin Dorn of the Home Builders Association, Sheri Larsen of the Chamber of Commerce, and John Ewing of the Vermont Forum on Sprawl. Mr. Wolf focused some opening remarks on population. He indicated that Vermont now has 600,000 residents. This is estimated to increase to 800,000 by the middle of the next century. Chittenden County has 140,000 people and is the fastest growing portion of the state. The fastest growing towns in the County have been those on the outskirts of the county, those which had the fewest people to start with. Mr. Wolf said there are two "gorillas" which have entered the growth picture. The first is Act 60. People in developing communities have been willing to put up with congestion because they were getting a good education for their children because of taxes paid by commercial developers. This development also made residential property worth more. Act 60 has changed that. People are not as willing to put up with the hassles caused by development because South Burlington doesn't benefit as much anymore. The question now is how this change in feelings will affect feelings about continued growth. Communities might not want to host businesses and industry because the taxes from these developments no longer stay in the towns to support schools. The second "gorilla" is sprawl. The population of the City of Burlington is the same as it was in 1980. People are choosing to live in places like South Burlington and other outlying towns. This creates congestion. Mr. Wolf said there need to be solutions that are not worse than the problems. He said he felt that Act 60 was a solution that was worse then the problem. Mr. Cole asked panel members if they had seen other towns/cities that have already addressed the issues South Burlington is facing. Ms. Larsen said in southern Germany there are tightly settled villages surrounded by farmland and open space. People are willing to live in smaller homes in more compact areas of growth. Also, in Minnesota, the town of Woodbury experienced a doubling of population in 10 years. They planned residential developments with a lot of town houses and a lot of open space. There are 50 miles of bike paths. They are also trying to develop a city center. Mr. Ewing cited the town of Essex which developed a city center of public buildings with mixed uses. He felt that one thing which helped Essex was an easier permitting process. Mr. Ewing also cited the town of Williston which very carefully planned what would happen at Taft Corners but did not implement the zoning needed to achieve the plan. He felt this was vital. The town of Richmond has focused growth in the town center and has managed to maintain open space. Mr. Ewing felt that South Burlington could still protect its open space. Mr. Dorr cited towns in S. Dakota and Western Minnesota that are dying because there is no economic growth. Younger generations are moving away. He felt South Burlington's challenge is where its children will live and work. Mr. Cole then asked the panel what they felt the best use of South Burlington's remaining open space would be. Ms. Larsen said she thought good things are underway in South Burlington and that the city has done a good job of balancing residential and commercial growth. She felt road improvement was important, especially the Exit 13 interchange. Mr. Ewing said he had a bias toward protecting the open space in the Southeast Quadrant. He felt the city should plan additional growth to be very compact, up near Kennedy Drive and not scattered all over. He favored high density, compact growth. He also thought services should be provided for those areas (convenience stores, etc.). He thought the city should think hard about its remaining agricultural resources and talk with adjoining towns about supporting the remaining agricultural base. Mr. Dorn agreed with Mr. Ewing about higher densities as a way to preserve open space. Mr. Wolf noted it will drive up the cost of homes to keep open space. He suggested the city could buy open land for parks. Mr. Cole then asked if there were questions of the panel from the audience. Larry Kupferman said he hoped that one discussion group that is formed deals with the impact of Act 60 on growth in South Burlington. Mr. Wolf noted that Act 60 will penalize towns for building new schools. George Bowers said he did not feel it would be a bad thing for kids to move outside of Chittenden County. He asked why South Burlington should continue to subsidize the county instead of letting growth occur on the periphery. Mr. Wolf said South Burlington is a very desirable place for businesses to be. Transportation is good, etc. He said the city could try to force people to go out to the edges of the county or to Burlington, they could limit the number of houses allowed to be built each year. This would probably result in "exporting" the city's young people. He said the problem with Act 60 is that you can incur all the costs of growth and none of the benefits. Mr. Dorn said he felt a kid should be able to live in the town where he grew up. George Mona said he felt Act 60 was a poor solution to the problem. He asked what the chances were that Act 60 would be amended to be more fair. Rep. Mazur said he didn't feel there would be dramatic changes to Act 60. People are working on alternatives and possible changes. He felt it was a fiscally unsound plan that didn't have an easy fix. Rep. Flaherty noted that the State Supreme Court said that education is a state responsibility. He felt Act 60 is a poor way to address that. He also felt the transition period wasn't long enough for people to get used to it. Some changes have already been made to attempt to make it more equitable. Rep. Flaherty noted there are more winners than losers around the state and not much help for towns like South Burlington. Mariafranca Morcelli said she was appalled by the big houses on Spear Street. She didn't know how long people could afford to live there. She cited Manor Woods as a great development with units all on one floor and a community surrounded by trees. She felt this was the best arrangement for affordable housing. Supt. Chattman noted that South Burlington sends $2,000,000 to the "shark pool," but the actual net loss to the city is $3,000,000. He indicated that the "school report card" is looking at data. The average home in South Burlington costs $225,000; in Shelburne it is $325,000; in Charlotte, $450,000. He asked how South Burlington can benefit its children when the school doesn't have capacity and when the communities around it don't have affordable homes. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.