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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 05/05/2008CITY COUNCIL 5 MAY 2008 The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, 5 May 2008, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Members Present: D. O'Rourke, Acting Chair; M. Boucher, S. Dooley, S. Magowan (arrived late) Also Present: C. Hafter, City Manager; D. Gravelin, Assistant City Manager; Rep. H. Head; B. Hoar, Public Works Department; P. Engel, D. Barker, T. Burritt, C. Ryan, P. Bennett, N. Carr, C. Carlson, T. Fowler, M. Kilorman, C. Ford, G. Edwards, L. Bresee, R. Penniman, D. Rothman, L. Murphy, D. Austin, C. Wallace, B. David, M. Flaherty 1. Comments & Questions from the Audience, not related to Agenda items: No issues were raised. 2. Announcements & City Manager's Report: Mr. Hafter: On 22 April, the City received an Environmental Merit Award for its Stormwater services. The City was cited for being a "model for managing water quality." The Department of Justice has announced the appointment of South Burlington Police Chief Trevor Whipple to the Medal of Valor Review Board. Mr. Hafter will attend a meeting of the Unemployment Trust Board of VLCT, Tuesday, 9 a.m. The Correction Center Liaison Committee will meet on 7 May at the jail. Mr. Hafter will attend a session on "Current Issues in Personnel Management" on 8 May. The next City Council meeting will be on 19 May, 7 p.m. 3. Request from Citizens for a 3-way Stop at Farrell Street & Eastwoods Drive intersection; discussion: Mr. Hafter said he attended a meeting at Grandway Commons following an accident in which a citizen was struck in a cross-walk. He has also received comments regarding problems at the intersection just up the block from the cross-walk. Mr. Hafter noted that after the opening of the new housing units, the East Woods neighborhood was experiencing an influx of 3000 cars a day. The city felt this was not appropriate for that residential neighborhood. A one-way street was created, which cut off 40% of the traffic from East Woods. Farrell St. was relocated and renamed. Eastwood Drive. According to Police, there has been one accident at the intersection and several other accidents in the area. Mr. Hafter noted that changing to a 3-way stop is more difficult than just putting up a sign. Mr. Engel's said he was encouraged by the Police to talk to the City Council. He said the area is stuck with traffic because the Southern Connector was never built. When the roads were changed, he felt there should have been a 3-way stop put in there. There are many children in the neighborhood and it is hard to see cars coming from under the Interstate. There is also a lot of traffic turning left in to the businesses there. Mr. Ingalls felt a 3-way stop would slow traffic down and address some safety concerns. Ms. Barker said existing signs are fine, but they are not slowing traffic down, and there are more people crossing the road to get to the stores. She felt something more permanent needs to be done. Mr. Fowler, Manager of Grandway Commons, said that since the Commons was built, he has had concerns for safety. There are visually impaired people crossing the road, and it was only a matter of time before someone got hit. He noted that cars seem to "gun it" to get around the corner faster. Ms. Kilorman said the area used to be a great place to walk, but as soon as the road was put in, it became "an accident waiting to happen." Ms. Carlson felt a sign is needed at Swift Street. Mr. Hoar said the crosswalk there has been eliminated because it was too dangerous. Ms. Carlson said that now leaves no way to cross. Mr. Hafter said the city will put up more signs. Ms. Ryan asked what a 3-way sign would do to help people cross from Grandway Commons to Shaws. Mr. Hoar said he is concerned that a 3-way sign would increase speeds at the other end. Mr. Burritt said there are 2 issues: speed in front of Grandway and the intersection. He felt a 3-way stop sign would increase pollution and double the noise in the neighborhood. He also noted that traffic backs up when Rice H. S. lets out. He felt a 3-way sign would help that. Mr. Carr asked about the possibility of speed bumps. Mr. Hafter said they can't make the bumps as high as they need to be to slow people down. He added that the road is a connector street. He felt that ultimately there will have to be a light there. A resident of Grandway said people stood outside with signs. Drivers would slow down, then "gun it." Mr. Hoar suggested that they could narrow the cross-walk areas from 28 to 24 feet. Mr. Bresee felt there are several places along the way where the road could be narrowed a bit. Mr. Hafter said the city will have to consider different options, and also keep the two problems separate. Rep. Head said she wasn't sure of the best solution. She also cited confusion at the intersection as a contributing factor. Mr. Hoar noted that the engineer who designed the intersection has agreed to look at it in light of the problems. 4. Local Concerns Meeting: Solution for Third Lane at Staples Plaza: The U.S. 2/I-89 Southbound On-Ramp: Ms. Ford reviewed the history of the area. She noted that this meeting is part of the process established by the Dept. of Transportation to get public input. There will be follow-up meetings in a few months. Mr. Edwards showed the proposed project area, about 1000 feet long. He noted there was a corridor management plan done in 2007, and this project was one of the recommendations of that study. He indicated the specific area where lanes are reduced in front of Staples Plaza. The study felt that US2 would be improved by extending the "third lane" to the Interstate entrance. Mr. Edwards noted this is a Class 1 highway, maintained by the City of South Burlington. It handles over 40,000 vehicles a day and is one of the busiest pieces of highway in the State. Mr. Edwards indicated the sidewalk and bike lanes and showed where they are interrupted. He also pointed out the public transit stops. In 2005, the intersection at Staples Plaza was at a level of service "F" in the morning and "E" in the afternoon. Mr. Boucher asked if there would be a 2-lane approach to the Interstate such as there is on Shelburne Road. Mr. Edwards said that is a possibility. They will consider traffic volumes on the ramp to see if there is a need for 2 lanes. Ms. Dooley asked what would happen to the sidewalk if a lane is added. Mr. Edwards said it would be relocated. Mr. Carr cited a tremendous problem getting onto Williston Rd. from Spear Street at rush hour. He was not sure a third lane would solve that. He also noted that at times it is difficult of get out of Champlain Farms if you stop there for gas. He felt it would become more difficult if that lane fills up. Mr. Carr also noted that if you're in Staples and want to get out, there are 2 options. He said he suspected one of those would be closed if there was a 3rd lane, which would make it harder to get out of Staples. Mr. Rothman asked if the third lane would be continued across the bridge. Mr. Edwards said that was a recommendation and will be analyzed and considered. Mr. Hafter noted the city is concerned with taking a "do-able" project and making it so big it doesn't get done. Ms. Dooley asked if the project would eliminate a row of parking at Staples. She felt that parking area is already a "disaster," and navigating the parking lot is difficult. A resident noted that the area is dangerous for pedestrians. By opening the second egress from Staples, traffic backs up there and makes it hard to get to the light. He also felt the "jughandle" has to be considered. Mr. Hafter noted the "jughandle" belongs to the City of Burlington. Mr. O'Rourke observed that drive behavior creates a lot of the problems. Mr. Penniman of UVM said the City of Burlington has passed a "do not block the box" ordinance. Violators will be ticketed. He also noted that the Main St. signals are all coordinated and need to be tied into the signals on Williston Rd. Mr. Austin commented that it is very dangerous to ride a bike in the area. Ms. Dooley felt the light at the Sheraton is not long enough for people to get across the road. Ms. Wallace said the plan will work hard to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians. Mr. David said he bicycles there frequently and has tried many things to make himself seen. Rep. Head said it is very important to continue to plan for the third lane. She echoed concerns with the "jughandle." She felt it would make a difference to have a lane go all the way to Dorset St. Mr. Hafter said the city would hope for a minimum impact on businesses in the area. Mr. Murphy, representing Staples Plaza, said he was concerned that the project has begun with the presumption that a piece of Staples land will be "knocked off." He asked that other alternatives be considered or "cooperation would dry up very quickly." He said this is a very important business area, and loss of parking would have a dramatic effect on tenants and on the ability to maintain leases. He felt it was not realistic to give everyone what they want without having a devastating effect on Staples Plaza. Mr. Bresee said it may be time to offer that developer ways to improve parking and traffic flow and to make a better solution for everyone. Mr. Carr asked that the increasing flow of traffic from new development also be considered. 5. Consideration of Entertainment License Application from National Night Out, Dorset Park, 4-5 August 2008: Mr. Gravelin noted that setup will be on 4 August, and the event will be on 5 August from Noon-10 p.m. Mr. Magowan moved to approve the Entertainment License for National Night Out as presented. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Public Hearing on Amendments to the Sign Ordinance & Regulation of Signs in Residential Zoning Districts; second reading of same: Mr. Magowan moved to waive the second reading and open the public hearing. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. No public comment was received. Mr. Magowan moved to close the public hearing and approve the amendments to the Sign Ordinance and regulation of signs in residential zoning districts as presented. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Review Agenda for Development Review Board Meeting on 6 May 2008: No issues were raised. 8. Review Minutes of 21 April 2008: The Minutes of 21 April could not be reviewed as there was not a quorum of those present at that meeting. 9. Review Minutes of 26 April 2008: The Minutes of 26 April could not be reviewed as there was not a quorum of those present at that meeting. 10. Capital Equipment Refunding Notes: Mr. Hafter said that the note is the second of 5-years at 2.95% for dump trucks and a backhoe. Mr. Magowan moved to approve the Capital Equipment notes and accompanying documents as presented. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 11. Liquor Control Board: Mr. Boucher moved that the Council adjourn and reconvene as Liquor Control Board. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hafter presented a liquor license renewal application from Quarry Hill Club. He said the application was all in order. Mr. Magowan moved to approve the liquor license renewal of Quarry Hill Club as presented. Mr. Boucher seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 12. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. 13. Executive Session: Mr. Boucher moved the Council meet in executive session to discuss personnel issues and to resume regular session only for the purpose of adjournment. Mr. Magowan seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 14. Regular Session: The City Council returned to regular session. Mr. Magowan moved adjournment. Ms. Dooley seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.