HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP-24-26 - Supplemental - 0124 Nowland Farm Road (21)1
Marla Keene
From:F Delwich <delwich.f@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, August 2, 2024 2:54 PM
To:Marla Keene
Subject:EXTERNAL: Email for Development Review Board Aug 6 meeting
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Dear Marla Keene,
I am wriƟng to request that you please forward the following email to the members of the City of South Burlington
Development Review Board in advance of their August 6, 2024 meeƟng. This email is in response to the proposed
development plan for the Hubbard RecreaƟon & Natural Area, located 2 blocks east of the juncƟon of Nowland Farm
Road and Spear Street in South Burlington, which is slated for discussion at the August 6th meeƟng (Item #6: SP 24-26
project at 124 Nowland Farm Road).
Thank you,
Frances Delwiche
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 652-1434
***************************************
Dear Members of the South Burlington Development Review Board:
I am wriƟng to voice my strong opposiƟon to the plans to develop the Hubbard RecreaƟon & Natural Area by creaƟng a
paved bike path and paved/lit parking lot. I am deeply concerned about the effect such development would have on the
environment, and by extension, on the health and welfare of the residents of South Burlington. I am concerned not only
because the Hubbard land is uniquely valuable as a buffer against climate change, but in parƟcular because it is known to
be a habitat for nesƟng Bobolinks.
The Bobolink is a small grassland songbird related to blackbirds, meadowlarks, and orioles. The male is known for his
cheerful, bubbly song given in flight, and for his disƟncƟve plumage which is oŌen described as a “bird with his tuxedo
on backwards”. Bobolinks are unique in their predilecƟon for nesƟng in undisturbed, open fallow fields and meadows,
exactly the type of habitat which presently exists at the Hubbard property. Numerous Ebird reports for this year show
that there were at least 3 nesƟng pairs on the property, and likely several more. As recently as July 29, 2024, an EBird
checklist showed the presence of 6 Bobolinks there.
Those of you who have lived in this area for any length of Ɵme probably already know a lot about Bobolinks. That’s
because a number of years ago, Bobolinks were widely covered in the local news, both on radio and TV, and in the print
media. This was due to recent research conducted by scienƟsts at UVM and elsewhere in New England that showed their
numbers to have fallen precipitously in recent decades due to loss of habitat and to intensified agricultural pracƟces.
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When Bobolink habitat is lost to development, whether for housing or for a city park, the birds are forced to search for
other suitable locaƟons. When that occurs frequently enough and over a large enough geographic area, there may
ulƟmately be insufficient habitat leŌ to sustain the species. But even where suitable habitat does sƟll exist, early and
frequent mowing for hay will spell doom for Bobolink nestlings and fledgelings not yet able to survive on their own.
Despite the widespread media coverage, I am deeply concerned that not enough care and aƩenƟon was given to the
presence of Bobolinks and other wildlife when plans for development at Hubbard were made. Therefore, I would like to
request that all development plans for the Hubbard property be halted immediately, so that the current City Council can
re-examine the project and all its implicaƟons, including the survival of the resident Bobolinks.
I believe that with thoughƞul and respecƞul consideraƟon of all perspecƟves that we as a city can come up with a
soluƟon for Hubbard that will both benefit the residents of South Burlington, and enable the Bobolinks to conƟnue to
thrive and raise their young there. I urge the DRB not to be hasty in making a decision on this property, but instead to
take whatever Ɵme is required to best manage this criƟcal natural resource.
Sincerely,
Frances Delwiche
South Burlington, VT 05403