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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Development Review Board - 02/20/2024 PAGE 1 MINUTES DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD 20 FEBRUARY 2024 The South Burlington Development Review Board held a regular meeting on Tuesday, 20 February 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 301, 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. Johnson ALSO PRESENT: M. Keene, Development Review Planner; M. Gillies, Planner; C. Meli 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 2 single- family homes and 6 unoccupied or accessory structures. The master plan consists of placing approximately 74 acres into permanent DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD 20 February 2024 PAGE 2 conservation, conveying approximately 1 acre to abutters, and constructing 124 additional homes in buildings ranging from single- family to twelve units on 28.25 acres, 1195 Shelburne Road: Ms. Keene explained that the applicant has come up with several new iterations and is asking for a continuance to 2 April in order to discuss these with neighbors. Mr. Behr moved to continue SD-23-12 to 2 April 2024. Mr. Moscatelli seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 6. Conditional use application #CU-24-01 of Heartworks, LLC, for after-the- fact approval to amend a previously approved plan for a mixed-use building consisting of a 76-student childcare facility, 3,780 sf of general office use, and 2,790 sf of personal instruction use. The amendment consists of adding a 6’ tall fence on top of a 5’6” tall retaining wall, for an overall height of 11’6”, 1820 Shelburne Road: The applicant explained that their intent is to shelter children from what is going on on the other side of the fence, things that they don’t feel children should be exposed to (e.g., incidents at the bus stop, arrests). He showed a plan of the site and identified the location of the fence. He also showed a photo of the solid fence above the retaining wall. He said they feel this fencing provides the best sheltering for the children. Mr. Gillies explained that the applicant had applied for a permit, but staff was not aware it would be above the retaining wall and approved it administratively. When they saw where it was, and that it exceeded the allowable height, they have brought it to the DRB which has the discretion to approve it. Staff comments were then addressed as follows: #1. Does the fence height result in an undue adverse effect on the urban design overlay that applies to this property? Mr. Kochman said it is adverse but not “undue.” Mr. Behr agreed. Mr. Johnston asked how long the fence has been there. The applicant said since August. Ms. Mann said that if the landscaping weren’t there, it would be jarring, but the landscaping softens it. #2. The Board was asked to determine whether the opacity of the fence should be reduced. Ms. Philibert said it seems to her that it should be opaque. Mr. Kochman agreed. Ms. Philibert added that she was compelled by the letter DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD 20 February 2024 PAGE 3 from parents of one child and said she wouldn’t want a child of hers to be observing some things. Mr. Behr agreed that had to be taken into consideration. Public comment was then solicited. There was no public comment. Mr. Behr then moved to close CU-24-01. Mr. Moscatelli seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 7. Minutes of 5 December 2023, 3 January 2024, and 6 February 2024: Members agreed to postpone approval of the minutes. 8. 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 7:30 p.m. These minutes were approved by the Board April 16, 2024.