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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Planning Commission - 10/11/2022SOUTH BURLINGTON PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 11 OCTOBER 2022 1 The South Burlington Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 11 October 2022, at 7:00 p.m., in the Auditorium, City Hall, 180 Market Street, and via Go to Meeting remote technology. MEMBERS PRESENT: J. Louisos, Chair; T. Riehle, M. Ostby, M. Mittag, D. Macdonald, P. Engels, A. Chalnick ALSO PRESENT: P. Conner, Director of Planning and Zoning; D. Peters, C. Trombly 1. Instructions on exiting the building in case of an emergency: Ms. Louisos provided instruction on leaving the building in an emergency. 2. Agenda: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items: No changes were made to the agenda. 3. Open to the public for items not related to the Agenda: No issues were raised. 4. Planning Commissioner announcements and staff report: Ms. Ostby: Attended the City Council meeting last week with the mother of the student bicyclist who suffered major injuries when struck by a car in a poorly lighted area near the school. They expressed concern that nothing has been done to address the situation. Mr. Conner: This edition of Zoning Practice focuses on EV charging and questions whether it should be its own use or an ancillary use. He cited the possibility of a parking lot where all spaces are EV charging spaces. Ms. Ostby: Noted that cannabis is now legal to be sold. Mr. Conner said that in South Burlington it can be grown (light industry), but sale is not permitted as a retail use. It would have to be voter approved. 5. Minor differences between C1-R15 and C1-Auto; consider guidance for post public hearing on LDR-22-07 and LDR-22-08: Mr. Conner noted they had essentially said the only difference was auto sales; however, there are some other differences (identified in his memo to the Commission). The Commission can make changes after the public hearing. Mr. Conner suggested making the two districts more similar and allowing additional uses in C1-Auto, leaving out animal shelter and kennels because of noise issues near where people live. 2 Mr. Mittag said he didn’t see a lot of places where they could zone C1-R15 on Shelburne Road. He suggested combining C1-Auto with C2 in the future. Mr. Conner noted there are some C2 uses that might be an issue such as heavy industry. Mr. Mittag read the list of uses that could be allowed. He said he wanted to protect as much of C1-R15 as possible. Commissioners concurred with staff’s recommendations and asked to have the complete proposal at the 25 October meeting. 6. Feedback to City Charter Committee regarding expansion of the Planning Commission: Mr. Engels advised that the Charter says the Commission shall have 7 members. State Law allows for 3 to 9 members, so the Commission could expand to 9. The voters would have to agree to remove the “7” from the Charter. Mr. Conner said there are 2 options: a. The voters could delete the “7” and default to State law (3-9 members) b. The number “9” could replace the “7” in the Charter Both options would require a public vote. Ms. Ostby said there are a number of instances where South Burlington differs from the State (e.g., under State law, the city can set speed limits in school zones; South Burlington doesn’t). She felt the city should reflect what the State says. Mr. Riehle said he was originally leaning toward 9, but now favors remaining at 7. He felt 9 could get unwieldly, and he didn’t see a benefit. Mr. Mittag didn’t favor 9. He felt 5 was the best number, but 7 is OK. Mr. Macdonald said there is some perspective on the Commission was there before and not there now which was what made him think 9 would be a good number. But “more isn’t always better.” He was concerned that geographically the Commission is not diverse. Mr. Conner said not many communities in Vermont have 9 Planning Commission members (Richmond, Hinesburg). The problems is sometimes they can’t find 9 people willing to serve. He has heard that a 9 member board can have a more robust discussion, but it is also harder to get a quorum. Ms. Ostby explained that she had asked the City Council not to reappoint her because she was concerned with having diverse perspectives. It was the Council that said more people can be added to achieve diversity. She had no preference between 7 and 9. 3 Ms. Louisos said that with the 7 members they have there is a high level of investment from everyone. She felt there should be variety in backgrounds of members and could suggest to the City Council that there be more “targeting of choices.” Mr. Mittag moved keep the number of Planning Commission members at 7. Mr. Riehle seconded. Motion passed 5-1 with Ms. Ostby abstaining. Ms. Ostby said diversity of opinion is so important and she strongly encouraged finding diversity in candidates. 5. Debriefing on City Council/Planning Commission meeting and discussed revised Values/Visions/Goals: Mr. Conner said he tried to incorporate all of the feedback. He added that if the Commission feels it is at 90%, accept it as a working document and share it with committees. Adjust anything that is really critical. Mr. Mittag said he would add recognition of the historical perspective of indigenous peoples. He felt that was an omission that should be addressed, possibly under “Inclusive, Fair and Just.” Ms. Ostby noted there could also have been farmers of color and was concerned with “tokenism.” She also said they have to look at what is important to protect but also look at what is coming. She felt the document is at the 90% level but that there are things that could be added under “Climate Resiliency” to prepare for what will happen. She noted that the city of Buffalo has a good system in place to welcome “climate refugees.” Mr. Mittag said that regarding “tokenism,” there can be more detail later in the document. He also said the city can’t accept “climate refugees” now because there is no place to put them. He said South Burlington should declare itself a refugee receiving city and cited the vibrancy of Burlington’s Old North End. He added it is unfortunate the South Burlington doesn’t have the stock of older buildings to accommodate people. Mr. MacDonald said in the 2016 Comprehensive Plan, the economy is mentioned only once. He said it is an important part of the city, and he would like to see the word “robust” used in connection with the economy. There are 1600 businesses in the city. Mr. Mittag suggested adding something under “Opportunity Oriented.” Mr. Conner suggested “investing in an economy that supports Vermont.” Mr. Chalnick said he felt the document was at 90% and agreed with other comments as well. He suggested possibly adding something like “fiscal discipline” or “fiscally responsible.” Mr. Engels said they should acknowledge that South Burlington is a business engine in the State and continue that way. 4 Ms. Ostby said that part of “dignity” is that you can have a dignified professional experience. The city needs people that can fill all kinds of jobs and respect that. She felt that ties in with having a strong economic base. In a straw vote, members agreed to add recognition of indigenous peoples. Mr. Conner said he would add “local, nearby” under “Opportunity Oriented” and “economic engine/entrepreneurship.” He will send revisions to members then get the document out to the community. Mr. Riehle questioned the meaning of “quality job” and felt it could be very subjective. Ms. Louisos said it could be any job as long as people are well treated. Mr. Mittag said the quality is in the mind of the person who has the job. He didn’t feel they have to define everything. Mr. Conner cited the need to integrate the subject and people involved in education. It is a required component of the plan and is important for the community. 7. Receive Quarterly Planning Commission Report: Mr. Conner said no action is required; this is just an update. He asked how members feel 25% through the fiscal year. Mr. Riehle asked where they fit people into the schedule when they come in for zoning or other changes. Mr. Conner noted it used to be in the old work plan. He was happy to add the ability to be “nimble” to add items that may arise during the year. 8. Meeting Minutes of 13 September 2022: It was suggested that on p. 4, the sentence regarding Butler Farms and a dog park be changed to read: Butler Farms would benefit from a dog park. Mr. Mittag moved to approve the minutes of 13 September 2022 with the above suggestion. Mr. Riehle seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. Other Business: Ms. Louisos noted receipt of an email from the Affordable Housing Committee. They have a work group looking at areas in the city that are ripe for development and are looking for a Planning Commission members to work with them. Mr. Trombly said they meet “when they can” and function more like advisors. They want solutions easy to get through and consistent with the Planning Commission’s vision. Mr. Mittag said he was willing to talk with Mr. Trombly about this. Mr. Trombly noted that one issue is how ideas would be received within a neighborhood. 5 Ms. Louisos also noted she had heard from the Energy Committee regarding a column in the Other Paper with a “Green & Clean” focus. A Planning Commission member could possibly contribute an article to that. Mr. Conner said he will be doing an article on the recently adopted Climate Action Plan. Mr. Conner then reviewed upcoming meetings. Next month will include potential planning study requests regarding transportation. As there was no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned by common consent at 8:32 p.m. ________________________, Clerk