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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 04/15/2002CITY COUNCIL 15 APRIL 2002 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 15 April 2002, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset Street. Members present: J. Condos, Chair; C. Smith, S. Magowan Also present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; S. Smith, Planning Department; A. Johnston, The Other Paper; T. Boyle, V. Fraser, A. Wright, N. Edridge, K. Dunn, S. Watson, J. Barber, Professor E. McCrate, J. Dextradeur 1. Comments & questions from the audience not related to agenda items: No issues were raised. 2. Announcements and City Manager's report: Mr. Smith: Attended the Sign Ordinance Committee last week. J. Condos: MPO Meeting on Wednesday, 7 p.m. Mr. Hafter: The Solid Waste District will hold a "Tire and Appliance Day" on 27 April for CSWD residents only. They will waive disposal fees for that day only. The MPO will hold a public forum on 18 April on the Bike and Pedestrian Plan. A retirement dinner for Officer Jon Kruger will be held on 3 May. Ms. Smith: Green Up Day is 4 May. The city and Hannafords will provide bags, and filled bags may be brought to City Hall where the city will dispose of them. 3. Public hearing on amendment to Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations establishing "No Parking" on East Terrace when "No Parking" lights are illuminated; second reading of same: No issues were raised. Mr. Magowan moved to waive the reading of the amendment and close the public hearing. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Smith moved to approve the amendment to the Motor Vehicle and Traffic Regulations as presented. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Presentation of Open Space Plan: Ms. Smith reviewed the history of the work on the plan. Mr. Boyle then reviewed the plan. He noted that the objective was to identify areas to be considered for protection/acquisition. The process used by the Natural Resources Committee in creating the plan involved inventorying existing protected areas, examining opportunities for expanding and connecting those areas, examining functions of open areas for further enhancement (functions such as wildlife, aesthetics, corridors, buffers, farm and forest). Possible protection methods that could be employed include: regulatory, easements, acquisition of development rights, and purchase. Further refinement of the plan may involve exploring best plans with property owners, continued inventory refinement (wetland and water quality, habitat and habitat corridors, recreational opportunities, etc.). Mr. Boyle then showed a series of maps including an aerial map, road map and map of regulated and restricted lands. He also showed a map of open space in adjacent municipalities and maps of public cultural landmarks, natural resource areas and trails, and a composite resource map of the area including wildlife corridors, historical sites, scenic vistas, etc. Mr. Boyle then reviewed areas that the Committee felt were important to add to natural functions. He also showed a list of areas and specific parcels within those areas and their primary functions. These have been prioritized as well. Mr. Boyle stressed that this is a strategy, not a firm plan. He said that the Committee needs to look at each parcel and set priorities and then start "knocking on doors." Mr. Hafter said the plan should be made available to the DRB immediately. Ms. Fraser asked if this will become part of the city's Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Condos said they are not sure. It will probably be referenced in the Comprehensive Plan. Very high priority areas will be designated on the official city map. Ms. Fraser asked how a developer will get the information. Mr. Condos said it may be a separate overlay. Ms. Smith added that the DRB will advocate for those pieces of land. Ms. Fraser expressed concern that restricted and protected areas are only restricted and protected as long as the DRB protects them. 5. Request for approval of request from Cathedral Square Corporation for VCDP Planning Grant application senior housing with associated resource service center: Ms. Eldridge noted that the project in question is the Market Place development for senior housing. They are looking to make a portion of the housing available for seniors who need assisted care. Cathedral Square has done 31 projects to date for people with special needs. Ms. Eldridge noted that South Burlington has been wonderful in providing facilities for those with minimum daily needs in an independent setting. Ms. Wright thanked South Burlington for its support of affordable housing. She noted this is the 5th project they have brought to the city. The program has 2 parts: a planning grant and an implementation grant. They are now asking for support for a planning grant. The application needs to be submitted on 7 May. A public hearing will be held on 2 May. Ms. Eldridge said they are looking at a mix of senior housing, assisted living, etc. They would also co-locate an adult day center for seniors. There would be a commercial dining room/kitchen. Ms. Eldridge noted the senior population is estimated to double by 2020, and they are looking toward a project that will adapt itself depending on the demand. They hope to open the facility in the fall of 2004. The project would also include offices for the Area Agency on Aging and other service organizations so they can all work together and be a resource center for seniors. Ms. Eldridge said there is an enormous need to have these resources all in one place. Mr. Dunn of Home Share explained how hard it is to be a small organization on one's own. He felt that having all the organizations together would provide much better service to the community. Ms. Watson of VNA echoed those sentiments. VNA has 2 adult day centers and will be opening a third in Blair Park this year. They would like a 4th somewhere south of Burlington and believe that co-locating with a senior housing project would be very efficient. Mr. Barber of the Agency on Aging explained what the Agency does for seniors (meals on wheels, etc.). He felt more "visible" offices would be a help to seniors. Ms. Wright said the grant is for $40,000. She did not know whether the buildings would be leased or owned by the non-profit organizations. The independent living facility would be treated as the Pines is not treated. They would ask for tax relief on the "day care" portion. Mr. Magowan moved that the Council approve the application for Cathedral Square for a planning grant for the Market Place development and to set a public hearing for 2 May 2002, at 3 p.m. in the small conference room. Mr. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Presentation from UVM/Burlington Community Outreach Partnership Center on affordable housing, low wage job growth and regional housing coordination: Prof. McCrate said they are a HUD funded program which is specifically looking at the problem of low wage job growth. They will be sponsoring a conference on affordable housing on 23 October. She noted that the towns that have done the most for affordable housing are not the ones creating the problem of low wage job growth. Mr. Dextradeur showed a chart of average monthly income compared to the amount needed for a family to afford an average home in Chittenden County. He noted there is an estimated need for 7400 additional housing units (5300 owner housing; 2100 renter). Chittenden County has a 2000 unit shortfall. Mr. Dextradeur noted that more than half of the projected growth will require assistance in securing housing. Existing rental housing is not affordable by 48% of Vermonters. The elements of the existing housing crisis are: an absolute shortage of all types of housing and an intense shortage of affordable housing. Mr. Condos noted that South Burlington has a very high number of units being built while towns like Williston are implementing growth caps. Mr. Dextradeur said there is also a disconnect between zoning and what is actually being built. He spoke to the need for regional coordination to identify where growth is occurring and to compare housing across the towns. This would allow heavily impacted communities to make their case. Mr. Hafter said that until people look at regional tax sharing, this will continue to fall on deaf ears. Mr. Hafter asked what impact Act 60 has had on this. Mr. Dextradeur said additional tax base from business may encourage business development but may discourage housing. Mr. Hafter said it seemed to him that the state has the opportunity to add incentives for affordable housing. Mr. Dextradeur said if communities would advocate for something, it might make a difference, but they would have to work together. 7. Consideration of approval of Warning for Annual City Meeting, 21 May 2002: Mr. Condos read the Warning. Mr. Smith moved to approve the Warning as presented. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Acceptance of resignation of Joan Britt as city representative to CCTV, Channel 17, Board of Trustees; appointment of new representative: Mr. Hafter said he was willing to serve until an appointment is made. Mr. Smith moved to accept the resignation of Joan Britt as representative to CCTV and to appoint Mr. Hafter as interim representative. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Review Development Review Board agenda for 16 April 2002: No issues were raised. 10. Minutes of 1 April 2002: It was noted that in the motion on p. 4, Mr. Magowan should not be the "seconder," it should be Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith moved to approve the minutes of 1 April as amended. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 12. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Smith moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented first and second class liquor license renewals from: Airport Mobil, Holiday Inn, Kwan's Restaurant, Magic Hat Brewing Co., One Flight Up, Orchid Restaurant, Pacific Gas Station, Parkway Diner, Pauline's Restaurant, Shelburne Road Exxon, Spillane's Servicecenters, Waterfront Catering Group. He said all are in order. Mr. Smith moved to approve the liquor license renewals as presented. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.