HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Development Review Board - 01/18/2023DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD 18 January 2023
The South Burlington Development Review Board held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 18
January 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium, City Hall, 180 Market Street, and via Go to
Meeting interactive technology.
MEMBERS PRESENT: D. Philibert, Chair; M. Behr, D. Albrecht, Q. Mann, S. Wyman
ALSO PRESENT: M. Keene, Development Review Planner; M. Gillies, Planner; I. Blanchard,
Community Development Director; J. Gusak, D. Hauke, T. Doyle, A. Allen, B. Currier
1. Instructions on exiting the building in case of an emergency:
Ms. Philibert provided instructions on emergency exit from the building.
2. Additions, deletions, or changes in order of agenda items:
No changes were made to the agenda.
3. Comments and questions from the public not related to the Agenda:
No issues were raised.
4. Announcements:
There were no announcements.
5. Presentation on upcoming TIF District Bond vote:
Ms. Blanchard said these will be the last 4 projects for the TIF District. She then reviewed the
nature of a TIF District and showed a map of City Center/TIF area. She explained that 75% of
the new tax revenue from development in the TIF District goes to the city until 2037 to service
the bonds for infrastructure. This allows the city to do the infrastructure that taxpayers would
have had to pay for until 2037. Ms. Blanchard stressed that a “yes” vote will not increase the
property tax.
March 2023 is the last time the city can incur debt. The 4 projects to be financed in the bond
vote are the East-West pedestrian/bike bridge over I-89, Williston Road streetscape, re-
alignment of Williston Road/White Street/Midas Drive intersection, and the second phase of
City Center Park (boardwalk construction). The total cost for all projects is just about
$15,000,000.
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Ms. Blanchard then showed a map of what has been built, what is being built, and what is in the
planning stages for development in City Center. She explained the newly proposed Catamount
Run project which will have 295 housing units. The UVM Medical Center project will have 181
housing units. Ms. Blanchard said it is anticipated that by 2037 the city will be receiving
$3,081,327 in additional tax revenue from the TIF district. She also explained the importance of
having development happen in the area and for the city to seek additional grants.
Ms. Philibert asked why there aren’t more TIF districts. Ms. Blanchard said they are very highly
regulated by the State. Ms. Philibert then asked what is being done on the school side to
educate children of the families in the new construction. Ms. Blanchard said there will be
another ballot item to increase school capacity, specifically impact fees for Zero Emission
Modules for two elementary schools.
Ms. Blanchard said there will be public information sessions regarding the bond votes including
the night before the Town Meeting election.
6. Continued Site Plan Application #SP-22-039 of David Hauke to amend a previously
approved site plan for a 21,420 sq. ft. mixed use building. The amendment
consists of constructing a 3,550 sq. ft. third story addition, which will be combined
with 4,600 sq. ft. of existing building and used as six residential units, with 16,605
sq. ft. of commercial space to remain, 370 Shelburne Road:
Mr. Albrecht noted he lives two blocks from this project but he felt he could view it objectively.
Mr. Currier said the redevelopment portion of the property is a second floor that is vacant
which will be developed into 6 residential units.
Staff comments were then addressed as follows:
#1. The applicant was asked to describe why the Board should modify the setback
requirement. Mr. Currier said they were asked to locate the windows of the nearby house and
line up a section of the roof with them. Very minimal light will be blocked. He then showed
elevations and noted that from Proctor Avenue the third story looks like a second story because
much of the building is “buried.” Residential buildings in the area are also 2 stories. He then
showed a perspective view. Mr. Hauke noted that conversion from commercial to residential
plays a role in the reduction of the buffer. Ms. Philibert asked if there have been any issues
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from the other tenants. Mr. Hauke said there have not; one of the tenants wants to rent some
of the new units.
Mr. Behr asked about the height limitation in the area. Ms. Keene said the determining factor
is not height but number of stories.
Members had no issues with the modified setback.
#2. Regarding the sidewalk requested by the DRB, Mr. Currier showed the plan and said
they would like any walkway to be 18 inches from the building because of utility service. With
what they propose, all units can get to the north side of the building. There are also
handicapped spaces. Mr. Currier said a 3-foot sidewalk will keep them out of the city right-of-
way and eliminate some legal work. That would be their choice. Mr. Albrecht felt the 3-foot
sidewalk was workable and will make the building look better and be safer. Members felt this
was adequate.
#3. Regarding landscaping, staff requested a higher proportion of trees and shrubs be in
the front of the building. Ms. Keene noted the applicant’s landscape architect did not
recommend that the full number of shrubs go back on the property because of runoff issues.
Three options are proposed:
A. Perennials in the front yard
B. Trees/shrubs in the front yard
C. “figure something out”
Mr. Currier said they would like to put landscaping where it has the best chance to survive. He
showed where the line of vegetation would be. Mr. Behr said a planting bed would look out of
place and wanted to see another option. He suggested snow guards/gutters to keep snow from
falling onto planters. Ms. Keene said she would be happy to work with the applicant’s
landscape architect. Mr. Behr asked if any of the issue is about correcting the previous site plan
approval. Ms. Keene said that is open to interpretation. The applicant should do something to
achieve the effect that was previously the objective. Mr. Behr suggested some ornamental
trees so they don’t appear to be crowding the property. He also suggested more plantings
against the building. Then what can’t fit in there could be in “discrete beds.” Ms. Keene said
that would be enough for her to work with. Mr. Hauke said it is important to put things in that
will survive.
Public comment was then solicited. There was no public comment.
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Mr. Behr moved to continue SD-22-039 to 22 February. Ms. Philibert seconded. Motion passed
5-0.
7. Final Plat Application #SD-23-01 of JJJ South Burlington, LLC, to amend a previously
approved plan for a 291 unit planned unit development. The amendment consists
of establishing lots around 30 previously approved single family home sites, and
creating one additional 0.20 acre open space lot to be maintained by the HOA,
1580 Dorset Street and 1699 Hinesburg Road:
Mr. Currier said the carriage homes are now proposed to be on single family lots. He showed
the original plan and said the request is being made because they are changing how the area
around the units is managed and owned. They will become single family lots instead of
belonging to the HOA. The buildable area is not changing, and there will be a minimum 5-yard
setback in the rear.
Mr. Currier said there is also a “clean-up” issue on Pippin Lane. The small open space area will
be maintained by the HOA.
Mr. Currier noted that CWD now allows PVC water lines, and they are proposing that. Ms.
Keene said CWD doesn’t want to accept that “mid-project.” Mr. Currier said ductile iron is
much more expensive and is hard to get. They were told they couldn’t use PVC because the
plan said “ductile iron.” Ms. Keene suggested saying: “The Board finds the applicant may use
PVC as may be approved in the future by the CWD Water Director.
Ms. Keene asked if the duplexes remain as footprint lots. Mr. Currier said they do.
Public comment was then solicited. There was no public comment.
Mr. Behr moved to close SD-23-01. Ms. Mann seconded. Motion passed 5-0.
8. Minutes of 4 January 2023:
Ms. Mann moved to approve the Minutes of 4 January 2023 as written. Ms. Wyman seconded.
Motion passed 5-0.
9. Other Business:
Ms. Keene noted that the applicant for O’Brien Eastview #SD-22-10 had requested
reconsideration of the final plat regarding a blasting issue. The Board has subsequently
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corrected an error in the decision, and the applicant has withdrawn the reconsideration
request.
As there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by
common consent at 8:32 p.m.
These minutes were approved by the Board on February 7,2023