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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Development Review Board - 04/11/2023DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD SPECIAL MEETING 11 APRIL 2023 The South Burlington Development Review Board held a special meeting on Tuesday, 11 April 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, J. Stern, F. Kochman, Q. Mann, J. Moscatelli ALSO PRESENT: M. Keene, Development Review Planner; M. Gillies, Planner; A. Klugo, C. Gendron, T. Barritt, J. Hodgson, C. Silvey 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. Site Plan Application #SP-22-056 of Beta Technologies, Inc., to amend a previously approved plan for a 344,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and office building. The amendment consists of adding 261 parking spaces, 154 daVinci Drive: Ms. Keene explained that this item should have been heard on 4 April, but there was no quorum for the item. The Board agreed to have a special meeting, if allowable. The legal department wants to be sure that the public has a chance to weigh in, so the application will be reviewed at this meeting, but it will not be closed for the sole purpose of taking public comment. It should be closed at the 18 April meeting, following which the DRB will issue a decision. Mr. Klugo thanked the Board for this meeting and said it means a lot to the Beta project. Staff comments were then addressed as follows: DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD SPECIAL MEETING 11 APRIL 2023 PAGE 2 #1. Regarding whether there should be a cross-lots connection. Mr. Klugo distributed an exhibit to members and noted there are two responses to this request, the first a technical response, the second a practical response. The technical response related to LDR 13.02f which exempts an industrial application from the cross-lot requirement. Mr. Klugo read the regulation and stressed that this is an industrial use which should exempt it from the regulation. Mr. Klugo then addressed the practical response. He said that when you overlay a possible cross-lot connection, the difference between the 2 accesses must be a minimum of 200 feet. He noted that some parking space is planned to happen for the child care center, and a cross- connection would cut that in half, which they do not think is advisable. If they were to move the connection back, the grading would be steeper, and there are also utility requirements. This would also require a reworking of the Master Plan. It is unclear how they could implement a cross-connection. Mr. Gillies acknowledged that one of the uses is industrial, but Staff wanted the Board to see that there are other uses on the lot. The language does allow for an easement, and staff asks whether that should be in place. Mr. Klugo said the parcel becomes undevelopable with an easement. Mr. Kochman said as he reads the regulations, Beta is exempt from the cross-connection. Other members agreed. #2. Mr. Klugo said they have responded to the comments of the Fire Department, and that is resolved. #3. Mr. Klugo confirmed that the landscaped islands are curbed. #4. Regarding landscaping of the islands, Mr. Klugo said the silva cells are in place, and the plants have an opportunity to survive. The great lawn is part of Phase 2 of the project. #5. Regarding snow storage, Mr. Klugo said the snow storage areas are at least 10 feet from trees. There is an agreement with the Airport to move snow off the site. Mr. Klugo then showed the identified snow storage areas on the plan. #6. Staff asked the Board to review the landscape plan to see if there is adequate screening. Mr. Klugo showed an image as to how landscaping will provide screening. This does not create any safety issues. He stressed that nothing has changed from the previous application. Members were OK with the screening. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD SPECIAL MEETING 11 APRIL 2023 PAGE 3 Public comment was then solicited. There was no public comment. Mr. Behr then moved to continue SP-22-056 until 18 April to allow for public comment, if any. Mr. Kochman seconded. Motion passed 5-0. 6. Minutes of 22 February and 7 March 2023: Ms. Mann moved to approve the Minutes of 22 February and 7 March 2023 as written. Mr. Stern seconded. Motion passed 5-0 with Mr. Moscatelli abstaining. 7. Other Business: No other business was presented. As there was no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by common consent at 7:38 p.m. These minutes were approved by the Board on June 20, 2023.