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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 07_Neighborhood Meeting_20241112 Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport Master Plan Neighborhood Meeting November 12, 2024 / 5:00 -6:00 PM / BTV Mezzanine ATTENDEES BTV: Nic Longo, Larry Lackey, Marie Friedman EIV Technical Services: Jacqueline Dagesse, Catie Calabrese Jacobs: Stu Moncrieff Community Members: Gail Holmes, Pike Porter, Michael Ashton, Jenny Proulx, Lisa West, Mike Holmes MEETING MINUTES ● Nic Longo welcomed community members and introduced staff members from BTV, EIV, and Jacobs. ● Larry Lackey introduced the master plan map and individual project locations on the displayed overall sketch plan. ● NEXT North Concourse Project: ○ Larry read the following project description: ■ The existing North Concourse wing will be replaced with the construction of a new 3-level building, with a footprint of 28,000 square feet. The lower level will include mechanical rooms and space to support the movement and storage of ground service equipment. The concourse level of this new building will include improved passenger amenities and seating areas. The upper level will include administrative space for Leahy BTV staff and a public viewing area with an outdoor space. The new building will be constructed adjacent to and connecting the existing passenger walkway between the North garage and the terminal. The existing structure will largely shield the new building from the Airport’s terminal roadway. The parking garages will block the view of this new building entirely from Airport Drive. ○ Community questions/comments: ■ Is there a before and after picture of the new north concourse layout? BTV staff presented a poster of the proposed floor plan of the NEXT project. BTV pointed out where the existing concourse ends, and the new concourse would begin. ● Recreation Path: ○ Larry read the following project description: ■ The goal of this project is to create a unified streetscape along the main corridor of the airport, namely along Airport Drive. This will be achieved through the careful and artistic placement of several cohesive elements: street trees, ornamental fencing, and a variety of other native plants, which will provide color and texture throughout the seasons while also supporting the pollution of pollinators like native bees, wasps, butterflies, and the non-native European honeybee. In addition to the proposed planting of native trees, shrubs and ornamental grasses, native stone walls, signage and sculpture by local artists is envisioned. This project also involves the creation of a meandering Recreation Path through existing trees on the west side of Airport Drive. This will create connectivity to and with existing City walkways, Recreation paths, and Trails, so that the community can have better access for walking, running and biking. This paved path will meander through existing open area and among existing trees and will be punctuated by informal sitting areas composed of local boulders. The intent is to begin the streetscape construction first, beginning from the south end and moving toward the north end of Airport Drive. The Recreation Path would follow the completion of the Streetscape and would begin, again, at the south end of Airport Drive and move toward the north end of the property as funds become available. ○ Community questions/comments: ■ What is the permeability of the proposed path surface? BTV explained that the proposed path would be impervious pavement. ■ Are there any other uses expected from the rec path? BTV responded that no, the current uses of the parcels would remain and there is no plan to develop these parcels any further. ■ Who will be maintaining the path? Will it be maintained year round? BTV responded that the airport would be maintaining the path and plowing it in the winter. ■ The resident at 5 Elizabeth Street requested a cedar hedge between their house and the rec path. BTV acknowledged this request. ● SRE Building: ○ Larry read the following project description: ■ The Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV) Snow Removal Equipment Building (SRE) is a one-story structure of approximately 41,500 sf, located adjacent to Taxiway G in the Northwest corner of the airfield. The building plan consists of two storage wings in a zee-shape configuration, united under a single gable roof. The Western wing is sized to accommodate the larger Multi-Tasking Equipment (MTE) with three bays of two stacked MTEs, with overhead and bi-fold doors at each end for pull-through traffic. The Eastern wing accommodates the remaining fleet of loaders, blowers, and plows in a double-loaded aisle, with overhead doors at the beginning and end, as well as flanking the sides for all pull-through traffic. In the center between these vehicle storage areas is a two-story space to house offices, locker rooms, and mezzanine storage. The zee-shape allows for maximum visibility on the surrounding apron and efficient maneuvering through the building, and the location and site layout are designed to provide maximum access to the runways and taxiways. ■ The primary structure of the SRE project will be a Pre-Engineered Metal Building (PEMB) frame of steel columns, beams, purlins, and girts. The building will be clad with insulated metal panels on the walls above an insulated precast concrete water table wall for enhanced durability at the ground level. Highlighting the envelope will be fiberglass panel clerestory ‘windows’, mounted high on the walls for safety and to bring diffuse natural light deep into the storage area. The sloped roof will also be of insulated metal panels, these with standing seams to lock the panels together and create a weathertight seal. The various materials are planned to be in earthy tones – tans and greens. Featured on the SRE will be angled signs for identification, but also to utilize elements that relate to the other buildings at BTV, including the main terminal. ○ Community questions/comments: ■ The building looks very close to residential properties on Airport Parkway. What is going to be done to mitigate sound from the busy airport operations? BTV explained that they have moved the location of the building as far north as possible to put space between the project and the residents. It is now closer to the wastewater treatment plant and car maintenance shop than the residential properties. ■ How long is this project going to take? BTV responded that the SRE building is under design, expecting permits in 2025, and hoping to start construction in 2026. Will the SRE building have air compressors or diesel generators? BTV responded yes. The resident requested that the equipment be located and operated as far north as possible. BTV noted this concern and offered to discuss this further as the design process moves forward. ● Cargo Apron: ○ Larry read the following project description: ■ This project will expand the existing cargo apron approximately 7,400 SY on the west side to accommodate a Boeing 767 cargo aircraft. Relocate the vehicle service road on the east side of Taxiway K to accommodate the apron expansion. ○ Community questions/comments: ■ No questions or comments were expressed. ● Pratt and Whitney Hangar Expansion: ○ Larry read the following project description: ■ This project will involve the expansion of the existing hangar and apron, as well as the relocation of the existing parking lot. ○ Community questions/comments: ■ No questions or comments were expressed. ● BTV Hotel: ○ Larry explained that the BTV Hotel is not currently part of the Master Plan, but he gave an update on its current status. The project was put on hold after the pandemic halted the project. BTV clarified that if this project was to move forward in the future, it would be in the same location next to the parking garage. ○ Community questions/comments: ■ No questions or comments were expressed. ● South Terminal: ○ Larry read the following project description: ■ This will be a southward extension of the Terminal Integration Project. The architectural elements of the TIP will be used for this extension, without significant adjustment. ○ Community questions/comments: ■ No questions or comments were expressed. ● General Master Plan Discussion: ○ Community questions/comments: ■ What is the plan for the Airport Deli? BTV responded that the deli is closing, and since BTV owns the building, they plan to remove the building. BTV clarified that this is not part of the Master Plan. Residents requested that there be jersey barriers placed to block off the deli driveway and parking lot to prevent anyone from using the lot once the store closes. Residents expressed frustrations with people pulling their cars onto the grass along Elizabeth Street. There have been issues with dust coming from the disturbed grass areas along the street. BTV is looking into adjusting rates for the parking garage, to include a longer “free parking” time limit, to discourage people from waiting for planes to arrive by pulling over in the residential neighborhoods. BTV acknowledged that grass seed needed to be planted to re-establish the grass along the street. ■ A resident noted that people are pulling into the BETA parking lot thinking that it is the entrance to the airport, and requested better signage to reduce confusion and increase safety. They also noted that they have observed increased speeding along Airport Drive. BTV responded that they would work with the city of South Burlington to enforce speed. ■ Residents expressed appreciation for BTV’s understanding and cooperation. ■ A resident noted that when planes are warming up in the morning, the wind will carry the fuel odor to their property. BTV responded that they have put up signs requesting that planes limit idling.