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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 09/20/1999CITY COUNCIL 20 SEPTEMBER 1999 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 20 September 1999, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members present: Jim Condos, Chair; Terry Sheahan, David Austin, Joan Britt, Chris Smith Also present: Charles Hafter, City Manager; Peter Bestenbostel, Asst. City Manager; Joe Weith, Director of Planning & Zoning; Anna Johnston, The Other Paper; Channel 17; Bill Miller Albert Audette, Alice Armstrong 1. Comments & questions from the audience (not related to agenda items): No issues were raised. 2. Announcements & City Manager's report: Mr. Sheahan: The Regional Planning Commission will meet next Monday at 7 p.m. Ms. Britt: At the Channel 17 Board meeting last week, members discussed working with Channels 15 and 16 to present a united front. Channel 17 is also trying to rearrange the telecasting of S. Burlington meetings. Mr. Austin: The Natural Resources Subcommittee of the Regional Planning Commission discussed reactions to the draft of the Regional Plan. The Committee will re-look at the pieces related to natural resources. Mr. Condos: On Wednesday, he will attend an MPO meeting at Contois Auditorium. That evening at 7 p.m., there will be a forum on public transit in Chittenden County. Mr. Condos also noted that the Solid Waste District Board will meet at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Mr. Hafter: At the next City Council meeting on 4 October, members will see the first reading of a pesticide control ordinance. There will also be a report by Airport Commissioners. The MPO has been doing a study on extending Airport Dr. around the Airport to meet with Airport Parkway. They are also looking at making a 4-lane boulevard of Airport Drive. There will be public meeting on this proposal on 25 October at 7 p.m. The Steering Committee will meet on 30 September at the Middle School to hear the report of the City/School Committee. Peter Cole will also speak on the public forums to be held in October on future growth in the city. Mr. Hafter will check to see if the meeting is at 7 of 7:30 p.m. Street numbering is now being done in Cardinal Woods in order to address the problems brought before the Council at the last meeting. Mr. Hafter gave members the first draft of an insert to go in The Other Paper regarding the public forums. Mr. Hafter will be attending the International City Manager's Conference from 24-30 September. Several City Managers from the county got together to discuss the draft of the Regional Plan. A statement was drafted that could be signed on behalf of those communities. Mr. Austin said he would like to discuss the Plan with the city's Planning Commission before committing to a response. Mr. Weith noted the Commission will finalize its comments next Tuesday. Mr. Audette suggested having Craig Lambert look at the proposed pesticide ordinance as he is licensed in that area. Mr. Condos noted he had received a letter from Chris Madden regarding the planned expansion of the Shelburne Rd. Post Office. Mr. Madden said they believe they can stay at that facility and expand to meet their needs. Mr. Hafter announced that UVM has executed the lease for property on the Phase III Rec Path. Ms. Britt noted there is a lot of debris from the storm on the Rec Path. 3. First reading of Amendment to Zoning Regulations to add conditional use (educational or research service related to agriculture, forestry, natural resource preservation, the arts or recreation) in Parks & Recreation District; schedule public hearing: Mr. Weith reviewed the history of the amendment and the request of National Gardening to occupy the Calkins House and use the property for gardens, educational purposes, and national offices. Members discussed the concepts of "non-profit" and "not-for-profit." Mr. Hafter said he would like to talk to the City Attorney about a definition of "not-for- profit." Mr. Austin questioned whether the language in the amendment is too broad and might allow an educational business related to agriculture. He was concerned that the only control was that the city owned the land and would have to approve use by a tenant. He suggested possible additions to the conditional use elements. Ms. Armstrong expressed concern with taking away public land. She noted there are already 40 people doing gardening in that area. Mr. Condos said that the plan is to allow for even more public gardening. Ms. Armstrong said her group would prefer to continue to be under the city and not be under National Gardening. It has been a low cost project and they would like to continue that way. Mr. Austin moved to send the amendment back to the Planning Commission to address issues raised at this meeting. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Consideration of three year lease of Calkins House to National Gardening: Mr. Hafter said the long range vision is to create a Vermont Botanical Gardens and to use the building for National Gardening's headquarters. They want to move in while they run their fund-raising campaign. The lease would be for 3 years with a 2-year renewal. National Gardening would pay $1.00 a year rent. They would also invest $10,000 or more in renovating the building. Mr. Miller said they have drawn up some plans that he displayed. Plans include an amphitheater, children's garden, gazebo, gardens for perennials and annuals, herb gardens, and gardens specifically designed for physically challenged people. The plans involve development of about 25 acres. Every square inch of the project will be handicapped accessible and there will be special sensory gardens for those who cannot hear or see. Mr. Hafter gave members comments from the City Attorney. He suggests a security deposit, setting a fixed amount that has to be invested in the building, addressing the assignment of the lease, prohibiting any action that will affect the city's liability insurance, addressing the issues of signage and maintenance, stipulating what alterations can be made, and requiring National Gardening to carry fire insurance. Mr. Austin felt National Gardening should not be able to assign the lease. Mr. Audette raised the issue of who would determine that workmanship is up to standard. Mr. Condos noted that Section 2 can be expanded to allow the city to inspect the work. 5. Consideration of letter to CCRPC regarding Draft 1 of Regional Plan: Mr. Condos read the letter. He noted that the focus of the response is on the flawed process and the fact that it was done in secrecy with not even the members of the Regional Planning Commission involved in the process. Members suggested adding that after the city receives public input, specific comments will be submitted. Several changes in specific language were also suggested. 6. Selection of project for submittal of application for FY 2000 municipal planning grants: Mr. Hafter noted that the Planning Commission recommends applying for funds to update the city's Impact Fee Ordinance. Mr. Austin moved to approve the Resolution related to the Vermont Municipal Planning Grant Program and to state that the grant would be used for the purpose described in #2 of the memo from the City Manager. Ms. Britt seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Consideration of approval of special events permit for Magic Hat Halloween party, 10/29/99: Mr. Condos read the description of the proposed event. Mr. Hafter noted it will be a benefit for the Flynn Theatre. Mr. Austin moved the Council approve the permit and authorize the Chair to sign. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Review agenda for Development Review Board meeting of 20 September 1999: Mr. Condos expressed concern with #5 on the agenda. He felt this might be a good time to get a sliver of land so the lane shift is not so abrupt. Mr. Condos also noted that #6 and #7 seem to be for a storage yard for towed cars. Mr. Sheahan noted this is a conditional use in that district. Mr. Audette noted they are trying to work on a drainage system in that area because of all the flooding that's been happening. 9. Review minutes of 7 September 1999: Ms. Britt moved to approve the Minutes of 7 September as written. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed 4-0 with Mr. Austin abstaining. 9. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.