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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 05/01/2006CITY COUNCIL 1 MAY 2006 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 1 May 2006, at 7:30 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: C. Smith, Acting Chair; M. Boucher, S. Magowan, D. O'Rourke Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; J. B. Hinds, Director of Planning & Zoning; A. Parent, The Other Paper 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience, not related to Agenda items: No issues were raised. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Hafter:   On 8 May, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., the Burlington Community Land Trust will receive an award for the City's Edge project. On 8 May, 1:30 p.m., the groundbreaking for the bandshell will take place. Congressman Bernie Sanders, who secured a large grant to complete the project, will be present. On 10 May, ground will be broken for the new Northfield Savings Bank on Williston Road. The Police Open House will be held on 6 May, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. This is the same day as Green Up Day. On 11 & 12 May, Mr. Hafter will be attending the Vermont Town/City Managers' meeting. The 15 May agenda will include a report from CCTA on their new allocation formula, a report on the shared rec path, and a rezoning proposal for the Bartlett Bay area. Mr. Gravelin updated members on reappraisal in the city. He reviewed the time line and noted that final numbers are expected within a week. Notice to homeowners should go out on 18 May. Informal hearings for those questioning their appraisals will be held on 22 May and 10 June. This will be followed by a final review of values. Formal notices are expected to go out on 12 June. The formal appeal hearings will be held on 19-20 June. Final tax bills will go out on 14 July. Mr. Hafter added that homeowners will be sent 2 pieces of information: an individual notice of their home's appraisal and a flyer with every property value in the city. Mr. Hafter also noted that last revaluation homeowners didn't like having their names printed on the property list. He asked how members felt about this. Mr. O'Rourke said that if people are uncomfortable, remove the names. Other members agreed. 3. Public Hearing on repeal of Interim Subdivision Regulations for the Southeast Quadrant; action by City Council: Ms. Hinds said this is the last official act to accomplish to put the new Southeast Quadrant zoning into effect. She noted the moratorium lasted 13 months. She also noted there are already 4 sets of plans submitted under the new zoning. Mr. O'Rourke moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Boucher then moved to repeal the Interim Subdivision Regulations for the Southeast Quadrant. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Vermont Community Development Block Grant; Closeout Hearing for City Center Planning Grant: Ms. Hinds noted that due to a Free Press error, this public hearing has to be held again. Mr. Boucher moved to close the Public Hearing. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Hinds reported that the TIF bill is not yet dead in Montpelier. Mr. Hafter said with all the people who support it, logic would say that it should pass easily. Ms. Hinds said that several people on the House Ways & Means Committee and an economist oppose all "incentives" and feel that tax money should not be used for this purpose. Ms. Hinds stressed that South Burlington will find a way to put its downtown together. 5. First Reading of Sign Ordinance Amendment; multiple free-standing signs, gas station outdoor displays; schedule public hearing and second reading for 5 June 2006: Ms. Hinds said there are 3 considerations with regard to signs: 1. Community Garden signs: If there is already a sign on the property, there can't be a sign to designate a community garden, and the city is trying to encourage such projects. Since "project signs" are allowed, Ms. Hinds suggested allowing a 32 sq. ft. "community garden" sign. Mr. Magowan didn't feel this kind of signage was necessary. Mr. O'Rourke felt 32 sq. ft. was a large sign for this use. Mr. Hafter said he gets frequent calls from people asking if there are community gardens in the city. A member of the audience felt it made sense, especially for people driving by. Mr. Smith felt the idea was OK with a smaller sign. 2. Gas Station Temporary Signs: Ms. Hinds noted that there are now limits on what can be advertised on temporary signs. She felt there was no difference in visual impact no matter what a sign advertised. No additional signs or square footage would be allowed. Members agreed with this change. 3. Temporary Signs: Ms. Hinds said there are more and more requests for temporary signs, and the concerns are with size and visual clutter. She also noted there are chronic offenders in multi-tenant buildings. Members were not enthusiastic about allowing any changes to present regulations. 6. Review Development Review Board Agenda for meeting to be held on 2 May 2006: No issues were raised. 7. Review and approve Minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of 17 April 2006: Mr. Magowan moved to approve the Minutes of 17 April 2006 as written. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 9. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Magowan moved the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. O'Rourke seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented a renewal liquor license application from Quarry Hill Club. He noted that the required fire inspection would take place tomorrow. Mr. O'Rourke moved to approve the liquor license renewal application for Quarry Hill Club contingent upon a satisfactory fire inspection. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 10. Executive Session: Mr. Magowan moved the Board adjourn and reconvene as City Council in Executive Session to discuss pending litigation and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Regular Session: The Council returned to regular session. Mr. Boucher moved to adjourn. Mr. 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.