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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 03/09/2006SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL 9 MARCH 2006 The South Burlington City Council held a special meeting on Thursday, 9 March 2006, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: C. Smith, Acting Chair; S. Magowan, M. Boucher, D. O'Rourke Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; J. B. Hinds, Director of Planning & Zoning; B. C. LaRose, Planning Department; R. White, S. Dopp, J. Jewett; A. Parent, The Other Paper 1. Second Public Hearing on Amendments to Updated Comprehensive Plan; Amendments Related to South East Quadrant Chapter and Related Maps: Ms. Hinds noted that these amendments complete replace Chapter 8 of the Comprehensive Plan with a new SEQ chapter. She also noted that any consensus changes made at the first reading have been incorporated in this reading. These include the addition of the site owned by the city for a future elementary school (p. 10), elimination of the sentence regarding a potential future gas station (p. 21), and striking the language after the word "district" in the section regarding TDR's (p. 21), removal of the word "funded" in the supplemental recommended actions in the transportation section (p. 26), and the addition of Kimball Avenue at the top of p. 27. Regarding the language related ecology issues raised at the first reading, Ms. Hinds said the most important strategy is that the zoning does not incorporate this language, so the language in the Comprehensive Plan has not been revised. The Chair asked for public comment. None was forthcoming. Mr. Magowan then moved to close the public hearing. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Magowan then moved that The South Burlington Comprehensive Plan dated April 16, 2001 is hereby amended as detailed in the attached document entitled "South Burlington Comprehensive Plan. Proposed New SEQ Chapter, City Council First Reading January 9, 2006," as amended by vote of the Council during the second Public Hearing held March 9, 2006. The remaining sections of the Comprehensive Plan dated April 16, 2001 that are not affected by the above-referenced amendments are hereby readopted in their entirety by the City Council. This action shall take effect upon passage. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2. First Reading of Proposed Amendments to South Burlington Land Regulations; New South East Quadrant Article and Miscellaneous Amendments; New Table of Uses (C-1 and C-2) and New South East Quadrant Zoning Map; Schedule of Public Hearing on Proposed Amendments: Ms. Hinds provided a brief overview. She noted that the new Table of Uses creates 5 new sub-districts in the SEQ. There are also some amendments to dimensional standards. A new zoning map rezones 5 properties from I-O to some form of SEQ zoning. Ms. Hinds also noted that as long as interim zoning remains in place, new subdivisions have to go through a City Council public hearing (under both sets of regulations) and DRB review. Ms. Hinds then reviewed the process gone through by the Planning Commission in revising the regulations. This included public workshops, stakeholder meetings, Comprehensive Plan revision, Commission public hearing, etc. An important feature of the new regulations involved the transfer of development rights (TDR's). Ms. Hinds explained that all land in the SEQ is zoned at and overall 1.2 units per acre. Densities in development areas are greater than 1.2/acre, and densities in conservations areas are below 1.2/acre. To accomplish this, a "trading system" has been established to allow density from conservation areas to be transferred to development areas. This has been reviewed with all affected property owners. Mr. O'Rourke asked about deed covenants that would prohibit development in a development area. Ms. Hinds explained the known covenants. She said the remaining questions are the level of legal document needed in the TDR process. Ms. Hinds also noted that the Commission felt the need to state the number of dwelling units per structure, so nothing "ugly" is built in the area. This needs to be made explicit in the language. Ms. Hinds then showed the conceptual "master plan" and the concept of development patterns that would create walkable neighborhoods. She also showed two small scales "village centers" with a neighborhood market, park, and a mixture of higher density housing. There is a list of commercial uses that would be allowed in these areas. The intent is to create completely connected neighborhoods. The 5 subdistricts created in the revised plan are: Natural Resource Preservation (NRP) Neighborhood Residential (NR), allowing 4 units per acre Village Residential (VR), allowing 8 units per acre Village Commercial Neighborhood Residential Transition (the area in front of Dorset Farms and all the Jewett property to the town line) allowing 4/acre Part of the Rye farm which is currently zoned I-O will be changed to SEQ. The large lot in the I-O District south of Meadowland Drive will be changed to NRP. Ms. Hinds said the most important changes involve dimensional standards and design requirements. Mr. White then reviewed the specifics of each sub-district: Natural Resource Preservation: 1.2/acre total potential. With 100 acres, a maximum of 3 single-family lots can be developed in a "conservation pattern." The balance of the units can be sold or transferred as development rights. Neighborhood Residential: 4/acre with design/dimensional requirements, interconnected streets, pedestrian friendly. Village Commercial: residential and neighborhood retail, 8 housing units/acre, mixed use, pedestrian friendly with buildings up to the street. Not like a "downtown." Mr. White showed a typical block and yard pattern. Street connections would be left open for connections to future developments. Areas for future neighborhood parks are also indicated, with housing units facing the parks. Mr. White then showed concepts for street design for VR and NR sub-districts. He showed a concept for "taming" arterial streets and village centers. In these areas, the building line of a garage would have to be at least 8 feet behind the building line of the house. Ms. Hinds said setbacks; etc. will have to be worked out with Public Works so they have the utility areas they need. Ms. Hinds noted that on p. 3, it was the intent of the Planning Commission to allow only single family homes in the NRP. The NRP Transition would allow both single family and duplex units. In the NR sub-district, the intent is that there be no more than 4 units per structure. In the VR and VC sub-districts, the maximum is 6 units per structure. Ms. Hinds also noted that affordable housing bonuses are allowed in the VR and VC sub-districts. For providing affordable units, a developer would get up to 8 units per structure. Amendments were also proposed for Section 913C1a and 1b (p. 27). Mr. O'Rourke suggested removing language in Section 906F (p. 6) which he felt gives regulatory effect to a policy document. Members agreed to remove this language. Mr. O'Rourke then moved to waive the first reading of the proposed amendments to the South Burlington Land Regulations; new Southeast Quadrant article and miscellaneous amendments; new Table of Uses (C-1 and C-2) and new South East Quadrant Zoning Map with the following amendments: In Section 9.05B, delete the words "except SEQ NRP" Delete Section 906F In Section 905C3 add "up to a maximum of 8 units per structure" In Section 9.13C1a add "lands lying within or directly adjacent to..." Section 9.13C1b to be revised per instructions of the City Attorney. Mr. O'Rourke further moved to schedule a public hearing of 3 April 2006. Mr. Magowan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.