HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Natural Resources Committee - 09/03/2014South Burlington Natural Resources Committee
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4106
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Wednesday, September 3, 2014
6:00pm
South Burlington Municipal Offices, 575 Dorset Street
MEETING MINUTES for Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting
Present: Betty Milizia (NRC Chair), Larry Michaels (NRC Vice Chair), Patrick Clemins (NRC Clerk),
Russell Agne (NRC Member), Jeff Dickson (NRC Member), Cathyann LaRose (NRC Staff Liaison -
SB City Planner)
The meeting was called to order at 6:16pm.
Additions to Agenda: Milizia asked to discuss the house and tree nursery at Wheeler Park
during the Wheeler Management Plan part of the agenda. Milizia also mentioned that she was
told that there is a form-based code subcommittee being formed to define a number of terms
around open space and would like more information on that new subcommittee including
whether the NRC will have representation on that committee.
In response to Milizia’s question about the form-based code subcommittee, LaRose explained
that there are two subcommittees being formed. The first will address a number of technical
issues around the form-based codes and has a much broader scope than simply definitions of
open space. The other subcommittee will discuss possible changes to planned unit
development (PUD) standards. The individual members of each subcommittee has not been
finalized.
LaRose noted that there was a discussion and vote to recommend the reservation of 470,000
gallons of current sewer capacity for city center during the last Planning Commission meeting.
The Open Space Committee report contained a recommendation to examine policy around
current sewer capacity.
8/11/2014 Minutes: Michaels moved to approve the 8/11/2014 minutes. Agne seconded the
motion and it passed unanimously.
Wheeler Management Plan: Milizia noted that there have been a few significant changes
around Wheeler Park and its usage since the last draft that should be addressed in the Wheeler
Management Plan. Some of these significant changes are:
The Homestead Parcel: The National Gardening Association (NGA) is no longer leasing
that portion of the Park, and the space is now available for city use;
JAM Golf, LLC Land Swap: There is about 7 acres near the junction of Park Road and
Dorset Street that was originally part of Wheeler Park that the city has initially agreed to
swap for 20 acres of land that was originally part of the golf course as part of the JAM
Golf, LLC agreement. The tree nursery is, unintentionally, currently part of this 7 acres
that will no longer be part of Wheeler Park;
Community Gardens: The land used by the community gardens was originally part of the
NGA leased land and is not addressed by the current draft. Some members of the
committee would like to see the prime location of the community gardens repurposed
to be usable by more South Burlington residents. It was suggested that a public
community input process be used to solicit ideas for the possible use of this land; and
Vacant Building: There is a building near the Homestead that has stood vacant for a
time. The Management Plan might address what to do with this building.
Michaels moved to have a facilitated open community meeting to solicit public comment about
potential uses of the Wheeler Homestead. Agne seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
Current Project Review: Clemins distributed the current Good Ideas List. The Committee will
provide additional items, edits and deletions for the list to Clemins for discussion at a future
meeting.
Action Items:
Michaels will look into potential facilitators for the Wheeler Homestead public comment
meeting.
Milizia will draft a Request for Comment (RFC) re: the Wheeler Homestead. It was
noted that the Burlington Garden Club, the South Burlington Recreation Committee and
staff, the South Burlington Library, and the City Council should all receive priority
notification of the RFC.
The Committee will proof the current draft of the Wheeler Park Management Plan and
send edits to Clemins for discussion at the next meeting.
The Committee will review the Good Ideas List and provide comments and edits to
Clemins.
Next Meetings: The Natural Resources Committee normally meets on the first Wednesday of
each month.
The next meeting will be:
October 1st, 6:00pm – Wheeler Management Plan and planning for Wheeler Homestead
public comment meeting.
November 5th, 7:00pm – Potential date for Wheeler Homestead public comment
meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 8:02pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Clemins