HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Natural Resources Committee - 02/03/2016South Burlington Natural Resources Committee
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4106
www.sburl.com
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
6:00pm
South Burlington Municipal Offices, 575 Dorset Street
MEETING MINUTES for Regular Monthly Meeting
APPROVED 3/2/2016
Present: Betty Milizia (NRC Chair), Patrick Clemins (NRC Clerk), Russell Agne (NRC Member),
Sean Devine (NRC Member), Cathyann LaRose (NRC Staff Liaison - SB City Planner), Sarah Dopp
(SB Resident), Bernie Paquette (SB Resident)
The meeting was called to order at 6:07pm.
Comments from Public: Paquette noted that there has been some discussion at City Council
meetings around Land Development Regulations (LDRs) dealing with trees in parking lots.
LaRose clarified that while regulations dealing with trees in parking lots is not part of the
current LDR amendments, the spacing of trees along streets in City Center is an element of the
LDR amendments currently under consideration.
Approval of 1/6/2016 Minutes: Agne moved to approve the 1/6/2016 minutes. Milizia
seconded. The minutes were unanimously approved.
Updates: On Monday, February 1, City Council formally adopted the new Comprehensive Plan.
The new Land Development Regulations (LDRs) are currently under review by City Council.
The Planning Commission has discussed that they would like to strengthen their relationship
with the other city committees to prioritize and make progress on issues that have been
brought before the Planning Commission.
There is a ballot question this spring on whether to allow ½ of the Open Space Fund going
forward be used to pay off a loan for improvements in the city’s natural areas. A discussion
ensued as to the need for more background information on ballot questions so that the public
can make a more informed decision. LaRose will draft a note for Committee review.
Wheeler Nature Park Conservation Easement: The Wheeler Nature Park Conservation
Easement Task Force meeting is now March 16th.
The committee discussed the proposed conservation easement for the Wheeler Nature Park,
focusing on a few issues:
· Would the homestead be excluded from the easement?
o If so, the historic nature of the homestead should still be protected.
o Should the homestead parcel be expanded / reduced?
· Should there be a more appropriate and permanent home for the community gardens?
· Should the easement include a “Not Permitted” activities list including no fireworks,
bikes, motorized vehicles and dogs?
Committee Mission: There was some review of the current status of the Natural Resource
Property Scorecard developed by the Committee a few years ago. It was decided that the
development of a procedure for how the scorecard is to be used would be beneficial.
Paquette provided a few ideas for future efforts for the Committee:
· Regularly scheduled volunteer guided tours of the city’s natural areas to increase
awareness of our city’s natural resources,
· Advocacy to adopt the City Arborist’s plan to address the Emerald Ash Borer, and
· Increase awareness of the benefit of trees in the community and expand tree nursery
activities.
The majority of this agenda item was tabled to the next meeting.
Action Items:
· LaRose: Draft a letter providing background information on the Open Space Fund vote.
· Milizia and LaRose: Establish a working group with Recreation and Leisure Arts
Committee to work on Wheeler Nature Park conservation easement.
· Milizia and LaRose: Schedule visits from the Williston Conservation Commission, the
Winooski Valley Park District, Fellowship of the Wheel and Bernie Paquette at a future
Committee meeting.
Next Meetings: The Natural Resources Committee normally meets on the first Wednesday of
each month.
The next meeting will be:
· March 2nd, 6:00pm – Committee Mission
Meeting adjourned at 8:06 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrick Clemins