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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Development Review Board - 01/03/2024 PAGE 1 DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD 3 January 2024 The South Burlington Development Review Board held a regular meeting on Wednesday, 3 January 2024, 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, F. Kochman, Q. Mann, S. Wyman, J. Moscatelli, C. Johnston ALSO PRESENT: M. Gillies, Planner; B. Brown, Planning Department; J. Lackey, J. Hodgson, A. Klugo, C. Silvey, C. Gendron, J. Duncan, 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. Continued Master Plan Sketch Plan Application #SD-23-12 of Eric Farrell for an existing approximately 105 acre lot developed with two single family homes and six unoccupied or accessory structures. The master plan consists of placing approximately 74 acres into permanent conservation, conveying approximately 1 acre to abutters, and DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD 3 January 2024 | PAGE 2 constructing 124 additional homes in buildings ranging from single family to twelve units on 28.25 acres, 1195 Shelburne Road: Staff noted that the applicant has requested a continuance. Mr. Moscatelli moved to continue SD-23-12 until 20 January 2024. Mr. Behr seconded. Motion passed 5-0 with Mr. Kochman and Ms. Wyman abstaining. 6. Site Plan Application #SP-24-002 of Beta Technologies, Inc., to amend a previously approved planned unit development of a 344,000 sf manufacturing and office building, a 37,800 sf office and retail building, a 15,600 sf commercial building, and an 85,000 sf flight instruction and airport use building on 40.43 acres. The amendment consists of after- the-fact approval to modify the approved landscaping adjacent to the manufacturing and office building, provide replacement for improperly removed vegetation along Williston Road, modify the driveway configuration for the existing building at 355 Valley Road, and minor site improvements, 154 Davinci Drive: Ms. Wyman was recused from this hearing due to a potential conflict of interest. Mr. Klugo noted the fantastic things happening at Beta. They now have over 600 employees and are looking to hire 150 more this year. He invited Board members to come out and see the project. Staff comments were then addressed as follows: #1. Regarding the removal of trees, Mr. Klugo noted the trees in question were to removed; they were transplanted to where they fit better with the intention of the Master Plan. With regard to plantings between buildings, Mr. Klugo said there is a portion of that area where the Airport will not allow plantings for safety reasons. He then showed the plan and indicated where no trees are allowed. He also indicated trees that are already in and those which have been relocated to DaVinci Drive. The sizes of the trees were increased to match the existing trees. Mr. Klugo then showed a photo of the two existing buildings, one of which will become the new Tech Center, and identified the lease line. He noted that utilities run underground between the 2 buildings. Mr. Kochman said that from an aesthetic point of view, this is a non-issue to him. Mr. Lackey said any trees planted in that area won’t grow well and will attract birds and animals. Mr. Gillies said staff’s concern was the “mitigation of the abrupt contrast in scale.” DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD 3 January 2024 | PAGE 3 Mr. Kochman said his question is mitigation for whose benefit. He felt the net change was an improvement. His concern was the “after-the-fact.” #2. Staff is requesting plantings between buildings. Ms. Philibert asked if there is any landscaping that could be put in there. Mr. Lackey said there is not. Members were OK with this. #3. Staff is requiring adjustments to the driveway if this is recommended by Public Works. Mr. Gillies read comments from Public works. They are OK with the driveway. Mr. Moscatelli asked why the driveway was moved. Mr. Klugo said they original plan cut the parking lot in half. Vermont Flight Academy asked that it be moved to where it is less steep and restores the parking configuration. #4. Staff notes there needs to be acceptance from the City Arborist of the tree plan. #5. Staff notes that sugar maples are not permitted as a species for the proposed replacement plantings. It was noted that sugar maples are bad next to roads where there is salting and sanding. Mr. Moscatelli asked why two specific trees were removed. Ms. Silvey said they were told the trees interfered with the root system of the trees. Mr. Klugo added that they were very surprised by this, but he feels what they are doing now outweighs what was on the site, and it is better for the environment. Mr. Gillies said staff is recommending approval. Members were OK with this. Mr. Moscatelli commented that city policy encourages developers to take down large trees. He felt this was “insane” considering the benefit the city gets from these trees. He added that the cost of 14 6-inch trees is nothing compared to what was removed. Mr. Kochman agreed. Mr. Hodgson said they doubled the value of the trees that were taken down. Mr. Behr said the Board has historically done an “inch-for-inch” replacement, not caliper. Public comment was then solicited. There was no public comment. Mr. Behr moved to close SP-24-002. Mr. Johnston seconded. Motion passed 4-1 with Mr. Kochman opposing. Ms. Wyman rejoined the Board. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD 3 January 2024 | PAGE 4 7. Site Plan Application #SP-24-001 of Champlain Water District to amend a previously approved plan for a municipal water treatment plant. The amendment consists of replacing an existing 1-million-gallon water tank with a new 1-million-gallon water tank and associated sitework& stormwater system modifications, 403 Queen City Park Road: Staff comments were addressed as follows: #1. Staff asked the height of the communications building. Mr. Duncan said it is 8’x8’x8’. #2. Staff asked whether the Board feels the lightning rod is a minor or larger roof-top apparatus. Mr. Duncan said it is very small. Members agreed it was a minor apparatus. #3. The applicant was asked to describe the history of 503 Queen City Park Road parcel. Mr. Duncan said CWD purchased the land in 2016. To do the tank that was constructed that year, they merged 2 lots, so 503 Queen City Park Road is no longer in existence. If, for some reason, that merger didn’t happen, it will happen. Staff will research that and let the applicant know. Mr. Duncan then showed the plan and indicated the location of the tank. It will be pretty much on the 503 portion of the lot. #4. Staff asked whether the staircase is being replaced or removed. Mr. Duncan said it is being removed. #5. Staff asked the applicant to indicate the location of the dumpsters and how they are screened. Mr. Duncan showed the location on the plan and said they will remain there. They are fenced. #6. Staff asked how landscaping requirements will be met. Mr. Duncan said there will be 3 arba vitae where the existing tanks is being removed. There will also be parking in that area. Mr. Gillies said one deciduous tree is required four every 5 parking spaces, so 2 shade trees are needed. He suggested replacing the arba vitae with shade trees. Mr. Duncan said they can do that. #7. The applicant was asked to identify the snow storage area. Two snow storage areas were identified. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD 3 January 2024 | PAGE 5 #8. The applicant was asked to discuss the future of landscaping at this and other CWD sites in South Burlington. Staff recommended that the conversation include factors that limit the ability to provide landscaping on the site as well as a discussion of the location and type of projects/improvements the board might accept as a substitute for on-site landscaping. The applicant noted they have some large projects in the planning stage but don’t have a large site. There is very limited space for landscaping, and trees are a concern because of damage to the facility. He noted the site is not visible from the road. He asked what creative form of landscaping the Board would accept. Mr. Kochman asked if Queen City Park Road can be lined with trees. Mr. Duncan said they already did that. Trees are not in a perfect line due to underground utilities. Mr. Duncan added they also have to satisfy GMP because they are in their right-of-way. Mr. Behr said the applicant will never “pretty up” the site. He suggested the possibility of an art installation in the front yard done by a local artist. He also suggested engaging the public in this effort. Mr. Behr then moved to close SP-24-001. Ms. Mann seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 8. Minutes of 2 November 2023, 7 November 2023, 21 November 2023, and 5 December 2023: Mr. Moscatelli moved to approve the Minutes of 2, 7, and 21 November and 5 December 2023. Mr. Kochman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 9. 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 8:27 p.m. These minutes were approved by the Board on 1/17/2024.