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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Council - 01/18/2011CITY COUNCIL 18 JANUARY 2011 Draft The South Burlington City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 18 January 2011, at 7:00 p.m., in the Conference Room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St. Councilors Present: M. Boucher, Chair; S. Dooley, M. Emery, J. Knapp, F. Murray Also Present: S. Miller, City Manager; R. Rusten, Assistant City Manager; P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; Chief D. Brent, C. Follensbee, Fire Department; K. Murphy, City Hall Staff; S. Dopp, A. Clift, R. Greco 1. Other Business & Announcements: Chief Brent noted that he had been asked to explore potential additional savings. He indicated that he met with his staff and some options were developed. A veteran Captain in the Department will be retiring soon and it was thought that this occasion might be used to save some money. As a result of discussions with the Firefighters Association, the membership has allowed the position of the Administrative Captain’s position to remain vacant at this point in time and to transfer those duties to another officer. The Association also agreed to purchase a “Quint” fire truck which will replace 2 existing vehicles. The savings from both of these actions is at least $130,000. Firefighter Follensbee said the Firefighters made a decision to help the citizens of South Burlington without jeopardizing the safety of citizens or of Firefighters. He added that the Firefighters fully support the city’s budget. He stressed that the actions taken by the Association will not affect the quality of services the Department provides. Mr. Miller said he felt the proposal has a great deal of merit, and both he and Mr. Rusten thanked the Association for their willingness to make these offers. He asked the Council to authorize the city to enter into a memorandum of understanding to memorialize these changes, which the Council did by assent. Mr. Boucher thanked Firefighters for stepping up and understanding the position the city is in. Their actions will save money and will still enable the Department o provide the same excellent service. 2. Announcements & City Manager’s Report: Mr. Murray: He will not be seeking re-election in March. He thanked voters their faith in him and thanked fellow Council members and city management for their respect and courtesy. He encouraged people to apply for his Council seat. Ms. Dooley: The School Superintendent search committee will be interviewing candidates on 24 and 25 January and 1 March. Ms. Emery: Channel 17 has signed a contract with Comcast. This allows the public to see public meetings at home. Ms. Emery also asked about an official welcome to returning troops. Mr. Miller will follow through on this. Mr. Miller: Talked with other local town managers. Most indicated tax increases from 1-2.5 cents. None have been experiencing South Burlington’s issues. Local Government Day at the Legislature will be on 16 February. Members are invited to join Mr. Miller, Mr. Rusten and Ms. Murphy in attending. The GBIC Legislative Breakfast featured comments from the new Governor. GBIC discussed a Pension Advisory Board and suggested a City Council member and a member of the public with appropriate experience join the Board. Ms. Dooley: Suggested the second meeting on Exit 12B/13, which was scheduled for late February, be postponed until late March or April as there will be new City Councilors elected in March. 3. Public Hearing of Amendments to Land Development Regulations; second reading of the same: Mr. Murray moved to open the public hearing. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Emery moved to waive reading of the proposed amendments. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Connor reviewed the proposed amendments as follows: 1. Limited Auto/Motorcycle Sales with Auto Repair: In some places in the city this combination of uses has not been allowed. The Planning Commission felt they go together to some extent. Sales would be limited to 5 vehicles displayed in a pre-assigned area. No vehicles requiring a commercial license would be allowed. 2. Utility Cabinets: Previously both fencing and landscaping have been required. The amendment will require only landscaping. In addition, cabinets will have to meet a 5-foot setback from the right-of-way; previously they had to meet the front yard setback. 2. Screening of Small Recyclables: Wording has been clarified to make it clear That small trash cans are not included in the screening requirement. 4. Height of Structures: The amendment applies to 3 zoning districts along the waterfront. There had been 2 different sets of standards. The amendment would limit heights to 25 feet and allow up to 35 feet if a strict set of standards is met. A table is provided to show standards more clearly. Mr. Conner noted that this table had been inadvertently omitted from the Council’s notes. Included in this section is a change to heights in City Center. Previous language referred to “post construction” grade which is different from the rest of the city. New language refers to “preconstruction” grade. 5. Heights of Fencing in Queen City Park/Lakeview Districts: Fences between 4’ and 6’ in height will require a permit. No fences can exceed 6’ in height. For fences 4­6 feet, at least 50% of the construction must allow a “see through.” 6. Group Homes: Group homes of 8 or fewer residents which are not less than 1000 feet from another such group home are considered single family homes and require no DRB review (complies with State law). Those which do not meet this standard can be reviewed. 7. Accessory Dwelling Units: If an accessory unit is entirely within a pre-existing structure, there is no DRB review (complies with State law). If an accessory unit expands a building or is a new building, it can be reviewed. Accessory units must be either efficiency or 1-bedroom units, and the building must be owner- occupied (State law). Currently, South Burlington requires the owner to live in the principle unit. The amendment would allow the owner to live in either the principle or accessory unit. 8. Number of Housing Units on a Private Road: In separate sections of the regulations, the number of units allowed is referred to as either 3 or 5. The reference to 3 units will be changed to 5 which was the number decided upon several years ago. 9. Location of Parking on a Parcel: Language has been cleaned up to be clearer. Drawings will be added in the future for further clarity. There is also clarification that when a property faces 2 roads, parking should be on the quieter road. Also, when parking faces an Interstate, there should be screening. 10. Homes in Southeast Quadrant Resource Protection District: A grant has been applied to address this concern. In the meantime, 2 issues have been addressed. With more than 15 acres in the Resource Protection District, 3 homes can be built. If a property has land in both a developable and resource protection area, there can’t development in both, and there can be no building in the resource protection area unless there are no other choices. Development in a resource protection area must be very closely clustered. Mr. Conner estimated there are 30 or 40 properties in this category. 11. Fencing in the Southeast Quadrant: The amendment would allow chain link fencing for recreation uses (e.g. tennis courts) and agricultural uses. 12. Requirement for a Master Plan: To propose 10 or more homes in the Southeast Quadrant, a Master Plan is required. In one place in the regulations the figure 100 was erroneously used instead of 10. This has been corrected. 13. Licensed Non-Residential Child Care Facilities: The amendment will allow this use in 4 commercial districts. The Commission received requests for this. 14. Flood Hazard Regulations: Complies with new federal requirements. Regulations now state that critical facilities are not permitted in a flood plain area. The State Flood Plain Coordinator and City Attorney have approved this section. 15. Zoning Boundary Adjustment: A request was received to modify the boundaries of a Resource Protection and Neighborhood Residential district. The Commission felt the adjustment would allow for a “non­highway” type of road and also contiguous expansion of the Resource Protection District. Mr. Conner noted that he had received both positive and negative comments about the accessory apartments amendment. He reviewed the history of changes in state law that now limit the city’s ability to restrict these units. Ms Dooley said that research done in Binghamton indicates that accessory units result in the utilization of more city services. She was also concerned with single family homes not being owner-occupied. Ms. Emery shared these concerns as well as a concern for parking. Mr. Murray was concerned with the possibility of “absentee landlords.” Mr. Conner reminded the Council that buildings with accessory units must be owner occupied, but he noted that this is very hard to enforce. Ms. Dooley was concerned with loosening regulations without the ability to enforce the requirements. Ms. Dooley was also concerned with allowing 5 homes on a private road. Mr. Conner noted that all homes on private roads must be sprinkle red unless the Fire Chief agrees not to require this. Ms. Emery was concerned with lots that have no frontage. Mr. Conner said he would take this back to the Commission. He noted that one unintended consequence of reducing the number of units on a private road back to 3 could be to create a huge cul de sac and the paving over of a huge amount of land. This possibility occurred in a recent development. Mr. Knapp felt the language regarding group homes was unclear. The Council agreed to approve those amendments which had no issues and to delay action on the others. Ms. Emery moved to table #4 and to schedule a public hearing on 22 February 2011. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Dooley moved to table the “Number of Units on a Private Road” and schedule a public hearing for 22 February with an amendment to remove the change in Section E-1-1-. Mr. Murray seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Members agreed not to act on the amendment regarding Accessory Units. Ms. Emery moved to approve all amendments except the 3 noted above. Ms. Dooley seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Consider Accepting Municipal Planning Grant and Authorize Execution of an Agreement from Vermont Department of Housing and Community Affairs: Mr. Conner explained that the city was awarded $15,000 to review zoning in the City Center and to consider expanding the district to include a portion of Williston Rd. There is a $3,500 local match. Mr. Miller said there is money in the FY2012 budget for the local match. If the cost increases, he will let the Council know. Mr. Murray moved to accept the Municipal Planning Grant and to Authorize Execution of the Agreement from the Vermont Department of Housing & Community Affairs as presented. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5. Consideration of 2006 Comprehensive Plan Re-Adoption Amendment: Mr. Conner noted that the Planning Commission undertook a complete review of the Plan which entailed more of a time commitment than had been anticipated. The recommendation is to re-adopt the existing Plan with a few changes so that the city will have a plan in effect until the revised plan is completed (in March or early April). Mr. Conner then noted the changes being made to the existing plan: 1. Dates of adoption 2. References to maps 3. Removal of one map that is not referenced in the plan. Re-adoption of the existing plan will require 2 public hearings. Ms. Dooley moved to waive reading of the proposed re-adopted 2006 Comprehensive Plan as presented. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Knapp moved to schedule public hearings for 22 February and 7 March 2011 for the re-adoption of the 2006 Comprehensive Plan. Ms. Emery seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Budget Review Update: Mr. Miller noted that with changes related to the actions of the Fire Department the tax rate will be 1.92. For the average condo, the total increase for property tax, water, wastewater, and storm water increases would be $157.51 for the year. For the average single family home, the increase would be $178.18. Mr. Boucher noted that he pays less quarterly for water, storm water and sewer than he pays in a month for cable TV. Mr. Miller then enumerated some of the cost-saving elements in the budget including: 1. 9.7 employee reduction, including 5 layoffs 2. A 22% reduction in health costs, not including the 7.5% increase that would have been incurred with the previous carrier. There is a $207,363 increase in pension costs (this includes a 20-year plan to deal with previous underfunding). Mr. Miller then outlined some of the continuing efforts to reduce spending as follows: 1- move additional staff from the existing pension plan to the VMERS plan 2. Re-bid health insurance in 2011 3. Possible financing the pension liability 4. Bidding of municipal services 5. Looking for additional revenues and cost savings 6. Asking employees and bargaining units for suggestions. Consideration is also being given to the following: A. Restructuring the Airport Parkway Plant project financing (this may involve interim borrowing for the $2,500,000 shortfall) B. Restructuring internal financial operation and management C. Increased feed (planning, highway, and ambulance services) being used to lessen property tax increase. Mr. Miller said he is recommending increasing an item in the Planning Department budget for GIS mapping services from $1000 to $3000. Mr. Rusten added that they are looking beyond the FY2012 budget to try to achieve financial stability. Mr. Boucher thanked everyone for the work they’ve done through some tough sledding in past months. Mr. Murray echoed these sentiments and said it is amazing what has been accomplished. Ms. Emery thanked Mr. Boucher and Mr. Murray. She praised Mr. Boucher’s leadership, and stressed that no one on the Council saw the financial issues coming. Ms. Dooley corrected a misconception that appears to be circulating that the City Manager is getting a 35% increase in salary. She said the increase is due to the addition of other employees’ salaries to the City Manager’s budget. 7. Consider Authorizing Re-financing of a Stormwater Mitigation Grant Anticipation Note for $300,000: Mr. Miller explained that the city got a more favorable interest rate from the Merchant’s bank (1.7% instead of the previous 1.99%). Mr. Murray moved to authorize the Re­financing of the Stormwater Mitigation Grant Anticipation Note for $300,000 from TD Bank to Merchant’s Bank which will reduce the interest being paid. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Review Minutes of 3 January and 5 January 2011: Mr. Murray moved to approve the Minutes of 3 January and 5 January 2011 as written. Mr. Knapp seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Sign Disbursement Orders: Disbursement Orders were signed. As there was no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. __________________________ Clerk Published by ClerkBase ©2019 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.