HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP-24-26 - Supplemental - 0124 Nowland Farm Road (23)
SBLT remarks to the DRB 8-6-2024
My name is Rosanne Greco. I live in South Burlington and am the President of the South
Burlington Land Trust. I speak on behalf of its Board of Directors.
The SBLT is a non-profit organization whose mission is “to preserve the open lands, wildlife
habitats, natural resources and farmland that make South Burlington unique.” We are the only
entity in the city who advocates for the natural environment.
We sent in written comments, which I will not read this evening trusting you will read them.
However, I made some mistakes in the email, for which I apologize, and I will correct now.
First, I want to make clear…because I did not do a good job in the email…that we are not
opposed to the project. We support pervious surface paths. We are only opposed to parts of the
project, specifically using impervious surfaces, like asphalt, on the dual-use path and the
parking lot.
We are also opposed to enlarging the parking lot and installing lights. I mistakenly listed a gravel
path as an example of a pervious surface. I was wrong. I had not done my homework on this.
But, I have now. In only a few minutes, I was able to find online alternatives to impervious
materials. An area on the EPA website is devoted to “Permeable Pavement”. It includes links to
state resources, including the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. There is even a link to a
South Burlington Public Works publication on permeable surfaces.
We do not think there is any need to enlarge, much less pave over more of the grassy area for a
parking lot and install lighting. Parking should be on Nowland Farm Rd, which is an overly-wide
road that prompts speeding. An added benefit of parking cars on Nowland Farm Road is that it
would slow down traffic.
For over 10 years, many people have enjoyed nature and gotten exercise by walking, running,
cross-country skiing, and snow-shoeing on Hubbard, demonstrating that we can passively
recreate on this land and still protect its wildness.
We respectfully request that you delay approving the plan until permeable pavement is explored
for the dual use path, a demonstrated need for more parking is shown, and the plan to install
lights is re-evaluated. Lights will only encourage people to be on the land after dark, which is
against city policy.
Speaking against a city project is something we are very reluctant to do. But when a project
runs counter to our mission, and further contributes to the climate crisis, we are compelled to
speak up. This is much harder when we have to oppose plans made by people who we respect
and like. Nonetheless, we will continue to give voice to the voiceless.
Our wild spaces are precious, and Hubbard is one of them — a true paradise in our city. Please
don’t approve a project that paves over it. We don’t want South Burlington to be known as the
Vermont city that paved over paradise to put in a parking lot.