HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP-23-014 - Supplemental - 0155 0225 Dorset Street (7)
Engineers Scientists Planners Designers
40 IDX Drive, Building 100, Suite 200, South Burlington, Vermont 05403
P 802.497.6100 F 802.495.5130 www.vhb.com
April 20, 2023
Ref: 58718.00
Marty Gillies
Development Review Planner
City of South Burlington
180 Market Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
Re: Multi-Tenant Building, 225 Dorset St., South Burlington
Site Plan Application
Dear Marty:
On behalf of Burlington U Mall Owner LLC (c/o Andrew Hayes), please find enclosed Site Plan Amendment
application for a proposed renovation to an existing building located at 225 Dorset Street in South Burlington. The
existing building and parcel are located within the Transect 4 Form Based Code Zoning District.
The proposal is to convert the existing building, which was previously used as a Sears Automotive Center, into a
multi-tenant commercial building. The interior of the building will be modified to create separate units which will
include restaurant, office and retail uses. Renovations to the exterior of the building will include updates to the
façade, signage (permitted separately) and new entrances to the individual units.
Site modifications include a new sidewalk and building mounted light fixtures along the northern façade facade.
Except for narrowing the northern drive aisle to 22’ to accommodate a new sidewalk, no parking lot modifications
are proposed with this proposal.
Please find the following responses to the applicable sections of the City of South Burlington Land Development
Regulations:
Section 8.09: Uses Allowed and Change in Use
8.09(B) Nonconforming Structures: The proposal involves a change in use from an existing Sears
Automotive Center to retail, office and restaurant space. Within the T4 Zoning District retail, office and
restaurant are all permitted uses.
Section 8.11 Nonconformities:
8.11(C)(2) Nonconforming Structures – Repair and Alteration: The existing Sears Automotive Building
was constructed circa 1998 and is an existing non-conforming structure. Per Section 8.11C(2)(a), when
repairs and alterations to the to the primary building façade exceed 35% of the total areas of such building
façade, the alterations shall comply with the Building Standards described in the BES applicable to the
Transect Zone (excluding build-to-zone and story requirements). In this case, the eastern façade is sited
along Dorset Street and considered the Primary Façade. The altered portion of the East Façade is 0% and
Ref: 58718.00
April 20, 2023
Page 2
therefore the BES standards do not apply to this project. Structural alterations will also be limited to <1% of
the load bearing frame for the building. The existing masonry walls are veneer and not part of the load
bearing system.
8.11(F)(1) Open Space: The proposal will not trigger the minimum amount of Qualifying Open Space
Requirements as the proposal will not involve:
(a) A proposed addition to a non-conforming building exceeds 5,000 square feet GFA;
(b) Lot coverage is proposed to increase by at least 1,000 square feet or 1% of the lot area, whichever is
greater; or
(c) A portion of a lot developed with one or more building is proposed to be subdivided
Article 13 - Supplemental Requirements:
13.02 Off Street Parking and Loading: Except for narrowing the northern drive aisle to 22’ to
accommodate a new sidewalk, no parking lot modifications are proposed with this proposal.
13.03 Bicycle Parking and Storage: Included with this application is a bicycle parking exhibit. A total of 4
bicycle spaces (2 inverted-U bicycle racks) are proposed adjacent to 225 Dorset Street.
13.04 Landscaping, Screening and Street Trees: No landscaping is proposed as part of this proposal, nor
is any existing vegetation proposed to be removed. As the landscaping budget requirement is only
applicable to new construction and building expansions, there is no minimum landscape budget required
with this proposal.
13.05 Stormwater Management: As the proposal will limit the new impervious and the redevelopment of
existing impervious surfaces to less than 5,000 SF, this application is exempt from the requirements of
Section 13.05 per 13.05(B)(2).
13.07 Exterior Lighting: The proposal does not include any changes to the existing pole mounted parking
lot light fixtures. As part of the exterior renovations, eight (8) new wall mounted light fixtures are proposed
which will meet the requirements set forth in 13.07. See Sheet LI1.00 for additional information.
Upon receiving local and State approvals, the project is to commence construction in the Summer of 2023 with
anticipated project completion in the Spring of 2024.
Ref: 58718.00
April 20, 2023
Page 3
In accordance with the City of South Burlington FBC District Site Plan Review submittal requirements, please find the
following:
1) Application for Site Plan Review
2) $153 Application Fee
3) BES Checklist & Submission Checklist
4) Abutters List
5) Trip Generation Memo
6) Proposed Building Renderings
7) Preliminary water and sewer allocation
8) Digital copy of the Site Plan
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if any additional materials are required.
Sincerely,
Daniel Heil, PE
Site / Civil Project Manager
cc: Burlington U Mall Owner LLC