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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 08/21/2000CITY COUNCIL 21 AUGUST 2000 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 21 August 2000, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members present: J. Condos, Chair; T. Sheahan, C. Smith, D. O'Rourke, S. Magowan Also present: C. Hafter, City Manager; J. Weith, Director of Planning & Zoning; S. Audette, J. Jewett, K. Sassorossi 1. Comments & questions from the audience not related to agenda items: No issues were raised. 2. Announcements & City Manager's report: Mr. Sheahan: Regional Planning Commission meeting, Monday, 28 August. New officers will be elected. Mr. Magowan: Attended BCA meeting on 17 August. They asked for a better understanding on how the appraisal process worked this year. Mr. Hafter said he will forward this information. Mr. Condos: CCTA Board meeting this week. Joint Chamber, GBIC meeting at the Clarion next Wednesday. Mr. Hafter: Since the next regularly scheduled meeting is on Labor Day, Mr. Hafter suggested meeting on the 11th instead. Members agreed. The Town Fair will be held on 28 September. Mr. Hafter gave members copies of the agenda. The Steering Committee will meet on 31 August, 7:30 p.m. The Regional Dispatch meeting will be held on 5 September, at Regional Planning offices. The Fire Department Open House will be held on 10 September. It will be preceded by a chicken barbecue. Mr. Audette then updated members on two construction projects: The Rec Path will meet the schedule to finish this fall. The bridge is set to arrive in October. Excavation is almost done. The gravel is down on 75-90% of the path. Trees will be planted in a few weeks, and paving will occur in the middle to end of September. The Public Works facility work is moving along. The steel for the storage building will be in about 7 September. Mr. Audette estimated the building can be occupied by Thanksgiving. Gravel for the buses is down except for one section. Buses were moved back there last Friday. Mr. Audette praised the work of the contractors on both jobs. Mr. Hafter advised that the paving of the Lindenwood rec path will be on the next agenda. Mr. Sheahan said neighbors should be warned of the meeting and of the plans. Mr. Sheahan asked where the light installation project is. Mr. Hafter said they are waiting for the last easement. All equipment is in, and there is only one remaining issue to be addressed. 3. Interviews with applicants for Community Library Board of Trustees: The Council interviewed Betty Smith and Melissa Pasanen: Ms. Smith said she has been an educator for 22 years as teacher and principal. She works as a buyer for Barnes & Noble and has a good idea of what people are reading. She is interested in the future of the Library and noted that parking and the small children's library are particular concerns to her. She would also like to see what the people of South Burlington would like to do to encourage literacy. Ms. Pasanen moved back to South Burlington four years ago to raise her family. She has volunteered at the Library and is treasurer of Friends of the Library. She has training in marketing for a children's book publisher and also writes for publications on the Internet. She feels the Library is at a crossroads and feels the city should find out what the community wants. Mr. Condos noted there is discussion about a new City Hall that could possibly include an area for a Library. This is something the community could talk about. 4. First reading of proposed amendments to Zoning Ordinance -- Article IV, Parks & Recreation District, Municipal, State and Federal Facilities, Official Zoning Map and Official City Map; schedule public hearing of same: Mr. Weith said most amendments are of the housekeeping variety. When the comprehensive plan is done, maps will be checked to be sure they are in compliance with the plan. That is when the content of the amendments can be discussed. The amendment to the parks & recreation district would create a new setback for accessory recreation structures (dugouts, etc.). All of the land involved is owned or controlled by the city. The minimum setback would be 10 ft. on all sides. The municipal state and federal facilities amendment would allow these facilities in every district. Currently, they are not allowed in the City Center, Queen City Park, Industrial-Ag District, Airport, and Airport Industrial Districts. The amendment to the official zoning map showed boundaries that follow property lines. Only one parcel of land required a zoning change (corner of White St./Patchen Rd.) because the zoning boundary now goes right through a building. This has been changed to an all commercial district. The southeast quadrant official zoning map now has more complete wetlands data and is more accurate. There is no change in the intent of anything on the map. Mr. Weith showed the existing, official city map and the proposed new map. The school site originally proposed on the golf course property has been moved to city owned land north of Oak Creek Village, a site identified by the School District. This is a 24-acre piece of land. Mr. Weith explained the nature of the Official City Map that allows the city to withhold a permit for development on land that indicates a future road or other amenity. The city then has 90 days in which to initiate the process of buying the land or, if that fails, condemning the land. Mr. Condos stressed that the city would have to pay fair market value for the land in either event. Mr. Hafter noted that this process also protects the landowner. If the city doesn't exercise its right to negotiate for the land and a development project is applied for, the property falls off the official map. Mr. Jewett raised the question of a right-of-way shown on his property. He noted that the DRB is insisting on it being used for a neighboring development. He felt the city map was, in this case, being used for a purpose that it is not designed for. He also raised the issue of the city not informing people that future roads are being indicated on their property. He urged the Council to take these maps very seriously as it affects people who have no idea what is happening to their property. Mr. Weith noted that this problem would exist even if this road were not on the official map. The issue goes back to the original subdivision. Mr. Jewett still stressed that people whose land is affected by proposed future roads or any other issue should be notified by the city. Mr. Hafter agreed that when discussions are held after the comprehensive plan is complete, landowners will be notified. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the first reading of the proposed amendments and to set the public hearing for 2 October. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Consideration of approval of Resolution for VCDP Grant Application Authority for $750,000 implementation grant for construction of affordable housing, Market Place, Farrell Street: Mr. Hafter noted that Peter Bestenbostel is the person named in the application as the City's contact. Tomorrow is the deadline for submittal. He recommended the Council approve the Resolution. Mr. Sassorossi noted that the next step is for them to appear before a citizen committee in October. He stressed that this is a very competitive process. Announcement of awards will be made in late October. Mr. Smith moved to approve the resolution and authorize its signing. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Consideration of approval of Capital Equipment Refunding Note and related resolution for copier: Mr. Hafter said the note is at 5%. This is the second of three payments, and funds are in the budget. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the capital equipment refunding not and resolution as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Review Steering Committee agenda, 31 August 2000: Mr. Condos briefly explained the Steering Committee process to new Council members. 8. Review agenda for Planning Commission meeting, 22 August 2000: No issues were raised. 9. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 10. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Smith moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented a first class liquor license request for Vermont Soup Company. He indicated that the application was all in order. Mr. Hafter also presented a second class, off premises license request from Larsco, d/b/a Cheese Traders & Wine Sellers (new owners). This application was all in order. Mr. Sheahan moved to approve the applications of Vermont Soup Company and Larsco d/b/a Cheese Traders & Wine Sellers as presented. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Executive session: Mr. Smith moved the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session to discuss appointments to Boards and Commissions. Mr. Sheahan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Regular session: The city council returned to regular session. Dan O'Rourke moved the appointment of Betty Smith and Melissa Pasanen to the Community Library Board of Trustees for three-year terms ending in 2003. Terry Sheahan seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Terry Sheahan moved adjournment. Steve Magowan seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.