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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/19/2001CITY COUNCIL 19 MARCH 2001 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 19 March 2001, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members present: J. Condos, Chair; C. Smith, S. Magowan, D. O'Rourke Also present: C. Hafter, City Manager; Rep. A. Audette; J. B. Hoover, Director of Planning & Zoning; B. Hoar, Dept. of Public Works; A. Johnston, The Other Paper; R. Barone, A. Blair, J. Jewett, A. Silverman, L. Yankowski, S. Fortier, D. & J. S. Manley, B. Ferris, V. Bolduc, J. Merone, R. Kay, S. Izone, J. Briggs, K. Killian, J. Segale, G. Sporzynski, C. Scott, G. & C. Lothrop, D. Roberts, J. & M. Bruce, S. Dopp, V. Fraser 1. Comments & questions from the audience not related to Agenda items: No issues were raised. 2. Announcements and City Manager's report: Mr. Smith: The Regional Technical Academy Committee will meet again on Friday morning. Mr. Smith advised that he is on the governance/funding subcommittee. Mr. Magowan: A special CCTA meeting will be held on Tuesday regarding hiring of a new general manager. Mr. Wessel will attend. Mr. Condos: The MPO Board will meet Wednesday, 7 p.m., and the Regional Planning Commission will meet on Monday, 26 March, 7 p.m. Mr. Hafter: There will be a meeting with State people on the city's discharge permit on 18 April, 3 p.m. in the small conference room. The Steering Committee public hearing on the proposed 2001-2 city and school budgets will be held on 5 April. Budgets will be mailed on Wednesday. The city applied for a Vermont Community Grant in conjunction with the Lime Kiln housing project. An invitation has been received to the award ceremony, 21 March, 1:30 p.m. in Barre. Traffic enforcement has been stepped up in the past few weeks with 140 tickets issued and 90 warnings given. 3. Presentation on east-west corridor study: Mr. Roberts said that in doing the study they considered 8 possible scenarios ranging from doing nothing to building three east-west roads. The Regional Travel Demand Model was used for the study as were existing and proposed developments through the year 2005. The study also took into consideration road projects on Kennedy Drive, Shelburne Rd. and Champlain Parkway (Southern Connector). Mr. Roberts showed projected traffic numbers for various scenarios in 2005. If all three east-west roads are built, Swift St. Extension would have an additional 605 cars in the p.m. peak hour, Old Cross Road would have an additional 269 cars in the p.m. peak hour, and Autumn Hill Rd. would have a negligible change. There would be a significant decrease on I-89, I-189 and Kennedy Drive. The proposed roads would function as collector streets. Mr. Roberts said they feel that a grid network of streets provides more efficient travel alternatives. He added that if the proposed roads are built, the design should be sensitive to the local areas (design speed, sidewalks, landscaping, etc.). Mr. Hafter asked whether any roads would become complete gridlock if no east-west roads are built. Mr. Roberts said they didn't do a level of service study. He added that with planned improvements, roads wouldn't become completely untenable, but traffic would definitely increase. Mr. Bruce said it looks like the city would be attracting even more traffic by building these roads. Mr. Roberts said for a minor amount, this is possible. Mr. Segale said there wouldn't be an overall increase in traffic coming through South Burlington; what would change is the path of that traffic. Ms. Dopp said what seems to be happening is a shift in traffic to the more rural part of the city. She said she thought the emphasis was supposed to focus traffic and growth in the center of the city. She couldn't understand why the city would want to take traffic off the Interstate and put it in a rural area. Mr. Jewett noted that the first part of Autumn Hill Rd. is actually his driveway. He asked what the benefits of building these roads would be other than to take traffic off Kennedy Dr. I-89 and I-189. He noted that Kennedy Dr. is being widened to 4 lanes, and building the three east-west roads would take only 378 cars off Kennedy Drive. That did not seem like a very positive accomplishment to him. Mr. Jewett also felt the disadvantages outweighed the small advantage. The three roads would have negative impacts on wetlands, open space, agriculture, etc. One road is proposed to go over the largest working farm in the area. Mr. O'Rourke said the roads may serve other purposes such as access for emergency vehicles. Mr. Hafter noted that the number of cars per day on Kennedy Drive is 17,900. Mr. Marone asked where these cars are going. He also asked what the process would be following this meeting. Mr. Hafter said the city would look at the proposed roads and see what the volume of traffic would be. So far there hasn't been time to do a level of service study and this would have to be done as well. Mr. Condos then read a memo from the Fire Chief who feels these routes are important access points for emergency vehicles. 75% of calls in the city are EMS responses, and any delay reduces positive outcomes for citizens. The Chief felt that multiple access routes are very important. Mr. Condos said the future process would be to determine what additional information is needed and then to have a public hearing. Mr. Lothrop said he felt the city needs to know what will happen at intersections. He noted that John Larkin wants to build a phased development and is asking not to have to put in the road in phase 1. Mr. Lothrop felt that because the city still doesn't know the impact of these roads, the road should not be required in phase 1. Mr. Condos responded that the Council cannot tell the DRB what to do. Mr. Blair noted that Midland Avenue was supposed to go straight across, and Autumn Hill Rd. is a new idea that was not in the plan until the last few years. He added that most of the traffic he sees is out-of-towners using Dorset St. as a through street. He didn't feel that the east-west roads would reduce traffic anywhere. Ms. Lothrop said that Mr. Larkin feels if he doesn't have to put in the road, he could build only 50 homes. He doesn't want to put in the road, but Ms. Lothrop felt it was a "closed issue" with the DRB and that they want the road. Mr. Hafter said he can't believe Mr. Larkin would give up the right to build the rest of the houses he is proposing. Mr. Condos added that when Mr. Larkin goes to Act 250, he will have to present the entire plan, and Act 250 may require the road. Mr. O'Rourke noted that the DRB doesn't have the right to say "the city doesn't need the road." If it is on the official city map, the DRB must require it to be built. Mr. Sporzynski said he supports the roads because they will divide the misery. He felt east-west roads are important. Ms. Hoover said that without connector roads, you are virtually assuring that traffic has to be on roads such as Hinesburg Road, etc. East-west roads do, however, increase stacking in the developments as the north-south roads get more congested. She said there are no easy "yes" or "no" answers. Mr. Jewett spoke of the importance of sketch plans at the DRB. He felt that what happens at these reviews is important and noted that these are not "warned" reviews. He felt it would be beneficial to have sketch plan hearings warned. Mr. Kay spoke of the need to look at the open space plan in the Comprehensive Plan. He said the city may need to work around that. He also spoke of the need not to destroy existing neighborhoods by having hundreds of cars going through them. Ms. Killian said that based on what she has read, if you project this out another few years, the traffic will return to many roads that are built. She said the more roads you build, the more traffic you attract. Mr. Hafter stressed that this is all part of a wider situation. He also spoke of the possibility for more public transit. Mr. Manley asked about wetlands in the area. Mr. Roberts said they did not look at that issue for this study. Mr. Blair said if Dorset St. becomes 4 lanes in the future, there has to be a way to make a break in the traffic with lights. He said it takes forever to get out of his driveway now. Ms. Bruce said she was curious about the wetlands issue and how a decision process is orchestrated. Mr. Hafter said there is an official city map which gives people an idea of the city's plans. He said a wetlands and wildlife study will be done. It may show the city can't build roads in the area or will have to shift where they go. Mr. Condos said there are ways to slow traffic down in neighborhoods. Mr. Smith said he is struck by the conflicts in this regard. First the city needs roads to get cars off other roads. Then people say you have to slow traffic down on the new roads so people won't want to use them. Ms. Hoover felt there is a way to balance adding a road and not having it become a Kennedy Drive. You can build a road to a smaller scale and keep it a local road. For local people, it then becomes an alternative. Ms. Fraser felt it would be good for the Council to talk with the DRB on this issue. 4. Public Hearing on 2001 South Burlington Comprehensive Plan: Ms. Hoover reviewed changes in format and content from the previous plan. She noted that there are new chapters on the city's rec path system and on visual design. The format has changed to include a goal statement at the beginning of each chapter. All "should" and "shall" language has been moved to the "recommended actions" part of the chapters. New information is included about housing affordability, updated impact fees, updated wetlands map, the importance of a local development corporation, and census data. Under General Policies, there is stronger and broader language regarding natural resource protection, conserving open space (especially in the Southeast Quadrant), City Center development (including support for higher densities), infill development in mixed use areas, and a new goal of finding the best commercial/residential mix in light of Act 60. The plan does not change the projected buildout density in the SEQ, but does call for that projection to be reevaluated. In the City Center, the plan calls for creation of a local development corporation to foster partnerships. It also recommends seeking funds for public parking facilities and recommends the building of a new government complex including a Post Office. Mr. Bolduc said he was concerned with a 2.0-2.5 growth rate. Ms. Hoover said the plan proposes that if growth exceeds that rate for a period of years, the city should consider taking action to slow growth. Specific policies recommended in the plan include open space conservation, undergrounding of utilities, providing neighborhood parks within walking districts of each residential neighborhood, connecting all city neighborhoods with accessible bike/pedestrian paths. Under transportation, the plan recommends access management, alternatives to arterial roadways and traffic calming where needed. Under Historic Resources, the plan recommends identifying and preserving important archaeological sites and consideration of a local landmarks or historic program. The Plan deletes the recommendation to upgrade Williston Rd. from I-89 to Hinesburg Rd. but recommends studying this possibility instead. Provisions that remain unchanged include assessment of a maximum buildout of 4200 housing units in the SEQ. The plan does call for a careful evaluation of zoning densities and buildout. It also suggests revisiting the SEQ plan and zoning to evaluate conservation and development areas and densities. Ms. Fortier suggested considering UVM as an existing use in the R-4 district. Under Natural Resources, the plan recommends development of an open space plan, provision for vegetative buffers along all water courses, complete street tree inventories, pursuing stormwater runoff modeling, and protection of wildlife corridors. The Plan calls for completion of the Rec Path system to connect with Williston and development of a complete inventory of the path easements. Evaluation of Construction of a community center/aquatic facility is also recommended. Under the Roads sections, the plan recommends completion of Market St., construction of a collector road to tie Hinesburg Rd. to Kimball Avenue and Community Drive, replacement of the Lime Kiln Bridge, improvement of Airport Parkway/Shamrock Rd/Ethan Allen Dr. intersection, completion of Shelburne Rd. improvements, completion of the northbound on-ramp at Exit 13, rebuilding/widening of Kennedy Drive, an I-89 Interchange at Hinesburg Rd, a connector from Airport Parkway to Patchen Rd, development of a local road network west of/parallel to Route 7 between Queen City Park Rd. and Holmes Rd., development of a new corridor along "Midas Road.", extension of Airport Dr. from White St. to Airport Parkway, upgrade of Airport Dr. from Williston Rd. to White St., upgrade of Williston Rd. to 4 lanes to the Williston town line, upgrade of Hinesburg Rd. from I-89 to Kennedy Drive, and upgrade of Poor Farm Road. Under Visual Design, the plan recommends publishing design review guidelines, developing outdoor lighting policy and guidelines, consideration of a stormwater maintenance ordinance and development of new construction quality guidelines. Ms. Hoover then reviewed the approval process and noted the City needs to have an adopted plan by May 25. Mr. Barone noted there was nothing in the plan regarding mitigation of wetlands. The plan only speaks to preservation of wetlands. He also noted that the San Remo Drive/Lake Buick connections are not mentioned. He indicated he would also like to see language that would allow for diversity in style/design in the City Center. Ms. Hoover agreed that there should be a recognition that there are natural resource "trade-offs." Members agreed to add that language as an objective. Mr. Hafter suggested putting the Plan for discussion on the next agenda. Mr. Scott indicated he was concerned with down-zoning and suggested increasing cluster density instead. Mr. Bolduc thought the plan was a great job and hoped the city has the guts to follow the plan and not back down when it comes to enforcement as it has in the past. Mr. O'Rourke moved to close the Public Hearing. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Consideration of appointment of Town Service Officer: Mr. Magowan moved to appoint Mr. Hafter as Town Service Officer. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Review minutes of 5 February 2001: Mr. Magowan moved to approve the minutes of 5 February as written. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Review Development Review Board agenda for 20 March meeting: No issues were raised. 8. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 9. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Smith moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented a list of Liquor License renewals and said all are in order. Mr. O'Rourke noted a conflict of interest on 4 of the applicants. The Board agreed on 2 motions for approval. Mr. Smith moved to approve First and Second Class Liquor Licenses for: Airport Grocery, Applebees Restaurant, Cactus Pete's Steakhouse, Champlain Farms (2 locations) Clarion Hotel/Conference Center, Franny O's, Gracey's Store (2 locations), Ground Round Restaurant, Hannaford Food & Drug (2 locations) Interstate Shell, Kinney Drugs, Inc, Moon Meadow Market, Net Result, Old Heidelberg Restaurant, Olive Garden, One Flight UP, Outback Steakhouse, Parkway Diner, Pauline's Restaurant, Peck's Mini Mart, Perry's Fish House, Pizzeria Uno, Pour House, Shaw's Supermarket, Shelburne Rd. Exxon, Sheraton Vermont Corp, Short Stop (2 locations), Silver Palace, Simon's Store and Deli, Vermont Soup Company, Waterfront Catering Group, and Windjammer Restaurant. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. O'Rourke then stepped down from the Board. Mr. Smith moved to approve First and Second Class Liquor Licenses for Chittenden Cider Mill, Cork and Board (2 separate licenses), Chittenden Cider Mill, Pacific Gas Station. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed 3-0. As there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.