HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP-93-0001 - Decision - 1975 Dorset StreetFINDINGS OF FACT & DECISION SST
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STATE OF VERMONT
COUNTY OF CHITTENDEN _ 3_poo
CITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON
Re: Findings of Fact, application of MBL Associates for a planned
residential development involving 202.2 acres of land and
consisting of 161 single family lots and 60 multi -family units,
Dorset Street.
On the 30th of March, 1993 South Burlington Planning Commission
approved the request of MBL Associates for preliminary plat
approval under Section 203 of the South Burlington Subdivision
Regulations based on the following findings:
1. This project consists of the subdivision of 161 single family
lots and the construction of 60 multi -family units in 15 buildings
for a total of 221 units. This development will take place on a
total of 202.2 acres, 156.72 acres on the westerly side of Dorset
Street and 45.48 acres on the easterly side. The entire developed
portion of the project is proposed for the westerly side.
Therefore, this application involves the transfer of density from
the parcel east of Dorset Street to the parcel west of Dorset
Street.
2. The latest review of this project by the Planning Commission
was on 12/8/92 for sketch plan when this project was combined with
the Nowland II project. This project is located at the south end
of Dorset Street in the Southeast Quadrant District adjoining the
Shelburne Town line.
3. Access: Access to the development will be via an 80 foot
r.o.w. which will bisect the project and eventually continue
westerly to connect with Allen Road. Off from the main east -west
access road will be two (2) main loops, one to the north and one to
the south, each with a smaller loop within the larger one. These
loops will provide access to all the lots and multi -family units.
This project should be conditioned on the requirement that access
to all the lots be from the secondary access roads and not from the
main access road.
4. Since it is proposed that there be only one (1) access from
Dorset Street until Allen Road Extension is continued to connect to
Spear Street, the existing barn access road should be used to
provide emergency access in the event the main access is blocked.
The applicant at the 6/16/92 meeting indicated that the existing
farm access road would be used for emergency access and to serve as
the required second access for a development of 50 units or more
but this second access is not shown on the plan. The applicant is
requesting a modification to the zoning regulations to allow the
temporary emergency access to be via a recreation path easement.
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5. Staff recommended that the existing farm road be used for
emergency access and that a connection to street "C" be
constructed. This access road would then have to be maintained
year-round until Allen Road is extended.
6. The plan shows a 60 foot wide strip of land between lots 17 and
79 to provide a future connection with the Lang property to the
north.
7. Density: The PRD provision in the proposed Southeast Quadrant
zoning may allow this property to generate 222 units (maximum base
density) plus 25% or 278 units maximum. The maximum number of
units allowed is based on the developable area as shown on the
Southeast Quadrant zoning map multiplied by 4. The developable
area in this project is 66.2 acres which results in a maximum of
264 units. The applicant is proposing 221 units.
8. Nonbuildable area: The applicant has submitted a plan showing
the development and restricted areas as shown on the Southeast
Quadrant zoning map and how they relate to the development plan.
Either all or a portion of 42 lots and two (2) multi -family
buildings are located in the restricted area.
9. There are three ( 3 ) main restricted areas in which lots are
proposed. One is for the Allen Road Corridor which the applicant
is proposing to shift to the north. The second is a north -south
wetland following a stream. The applicant has determined that the
wetland is smaller than what appears in the Southeast Quadrant
zoning map. The third area is the scenic corridor setback along
Dorset Street. The applicant is proposing 13 lots in this area
behind the existing barn (lots 95-105 and 124 and 125).
10. Under Section 26.606 of the zoning regulations the Planning
Commission must review proposed development activity or the
location of residential development lots in a restricted area
according to the criteria contained in this section. The applicant
has submitted comments addressing these criteria.
11. Wetlands: A wetland delineation study was performed by
Natural Resource Consulting Services. The Natural Resources
Committee reviewed these plans at the 3/9/93 meeting. The plans
submitted show only a portion of the wetlands on the site. To
adequately evaluate the impact of this development on wetlands all
the wetlands on the site should be delineated.
Portions of lots 154-157 and 85-87 are within wetland areas. These
lots should be relocated outside of wetland areas.
12. Lot size: The minimum lot size for single family lots in the
Southeast Quadrant district is 12,000 square feet (.27 acres) with
85 feet of frontage on local streets and 100 feet of frontage on
collectors and arterials. The applicant is requesting a
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modification to the zoning regulations to allow 65'x120' lots or
7,800 square feet (.18 acres) with a minimum frontage of 65 feet.
The plan shows many lots with less than 65 feet of frontage i.e.
lot 86 has only 52 feet of frontage. Also lots are shown which are
less than 7,800 square feet, the smallest is 7,200 square feet.
13. Traffic: A traffic impact analysis was prepared by the
applicant. The report projects that at full build -out, which is
estimated to be in 1997, this project will generate 205 vehicle
trip ends during the P.M. peak hour.
14. Intersection capacity analyses were performed for the
following intersections: proposed Dorset Street/Project Access,
Dorset Street/Swift Street and Dorset Street/Barstow Road. The
results of the level -of -service (LOS) analyses at the proposed
Dorset Street/Project Access indicate very good LOS, acceptable LOS
at the Dorset Street/Barstow Road intersection and poor LOS for the
eastbound Swift Street approach at the Dorset Street/Swift Street
intersection. The analysis indicates that this approach is
currently at or over capacity for design hour conditions. A
traffic signal warrant analysis was performed for 1993 existing
conditions at the Dorset Street/Swift Street intersection which
indicates that a traffic signal is warranted.
15. Warrant analyses were performed for northbound left -turning
traffic and southbound right -turning traffic entering the project.
It was determined that neither a left -turn lane nor a right -turn
lane is warranted.
16. Recreation Path/Pedestrian Trail: The plans incorporate some
paths/trails but not exactly as recommended by the Recreation Path
Committee. Plans should incorporate their recommendations. A 20
foot wide easement should be provided for all paths/trails which
are not located within a public street r.o.w.
17. Sewer: Municipal sewer system will serve this development via
a 4 inch force main to Kennedy Drive. The sewer allocation being
requested is 115,800 gpd plus 4,550 gpd for infiltration for a
total of 120,350 gpd.
18. Water: Municipal water system will serve this development via
a 12 inch main and will connect with the existing CWD main adjacent
to the storage tank on Dorset Street. Applicant has obtained a
letter from both the South Burlington Water Department and
Champlain Water District indicating that the estimated demand of
113,400 gpd can be met.
19. Phasing: Project should be broken down into phases and so
indicated on the plan. Each phase should be identified in terms of
lots to be developed, roads and utilities including lengths, multi-
family buildings and landscaping.
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20. Landscaping: The landscape plan does not include two (2)
trees for each lot as required under Section 19.104a of the zoning
regulations. The landscape plan does not show buffer plantings
along street"C" similar to the plantings along street "A". These
plantings are needed to screen the project from the Dorset Street
corridor. Plantings for the multi -family units are short of the
minimum requirement, more plantings are needed. The landscape plan
is not broken down into the following categories: street trees,
multi -family landscaping, trees for house lots, and other (i.e.,
buffer plantings along east side of streets "A" and "C").
21. Archeological sites: The State Division for Historic
Preservation has identified an archaeologically sensitive area on
the western side of the project area. Plans do not take into
account the protection of this sensitive area. Section 19.151h of
the zoning regulations requires the applicant to show that this
development will not have an undue adverse effect on and will
protect rare and irreplaceable historic sites.
22. Open Space: Applicant or Homeowners Associations should cut
grass within open space/scenic corridor (i.e., along both sides of
Dorset Street and around farm buildings) at last once a year to
maintain open space.
23. Recreation
unit recreation
given for the
recreation path
The applicant will be required to pay the per
fee at the time of permit. A credit should be
construction of the portion of the proposed
located outside of any public street r.o.w.
24. School impact: A school impact fee ordinance has not yet been
adopted. The school district is currently working to complete such
an ordinance. The school district should be given a reasonable
period of time to complete development of the impact fee ordinance
and present the ordinance to the City Council for adoption.
25. Lighting: The applicant is proposing street lighting similar
to what is in Butler Farms and Oak Creek. The lamps will be 70
watt high pressure sodium mounted on 20 foot poles with cut-off
luminaries.
26. Parking: The applicant is requesting a modification to the
zoning regulations to exempt compliance with the parking
requirement which requires one (1) guest parking space for each
four (4) units of multi -family housing. This would result in 16
fewer spaces. Applicant should make provisions for parking and
storage of recreational vehicles as required under Section 19.253c.
27. Other:
--- contour lines should be shown for lots 79 and 80-86.
--- the plan should show the limits of all wooded areas on the
property.
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--- all proposed streets should be named.
--- common property boundary between applicant's property and Dick
Ward's property not accurately shown. An accurate up-to-date
property boundary survey must be submitted.
--- indicate proposed use of existing barn.
--- watercourses are not shown on the 1"-40' scale plans with the
corresponding C.O. zones.
--- exterior lighting details for the multi -family buildings
should be provided.
--- pump station details on page 25 indicate that 80 multi -family
units are proposed, application is only for 60 units.
--- the 4.51 acre George O'Brien lot should be shown as part of
this development.
--- roadway details on page 26 refer to "Deerfield Drive" at
several locations, this name can not be used as it is already
used for another street in the City.
--- under the legend on all the sheets, the "setback" symbol
should be for C.O. zone limits. The C.O. zone limit is not a
setback.
--- no filling should take place in the C.O. zone to accommodate
Building F.
DECISION & CONDITIONS
Based on the above Findings of Fact, the South Burlington Planning
Commission approves the Preliminary Plat application of MBL
Associates for a planned residential development involving 202.2
acres of land and consisting of 161 single-family lots and 60
multi -family units as depicted on a 36 page set of plans, page one
entitled "Southeast Summit, South Burlington, Vermont", prepared by
Fitzpatrick -Llewellyn, Inc. and stamped "received" 1/29/93, with
the following stipulations:
1. In accordance with Section 26.602 of the South Burlington
Zoning Regulations, the Planning Commission approves development
and the creation of lots for development upon land which is
designated as "restricted area" on the Southeast Quadrant Official
Zoning Map. It is the commission's opinion that based on the
information submitted by the applicant the proposed development
will not adversely affect wetlands on the property. Also, it is
the Commission's opinion that the goals for maintaining an open
space corridor along the north -south arterial roadways in the
Southeast Quadrant will be promoted even with the creation of lots
95-105 and 124 and 125. The existing barn buildings and residences
along Dorset street help screen this area from Dorset Street and
the encroachment of these lots into the restricted area is minor.
Finally, the Planning Commission supports moving the r.o.w. for a
future east -west collector road to the north as proposed.
2. Driveway access to all lots shall be from local streets and
shall not be from the east -west Allen Road extension roadway (i.e.,
80 foot r.o.w.).
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3. The applicant shall be responsible for the following traffic
impact mitigation improvements:
a. Add southbound right turn deceleration lane at project
access. This deceleration lane shall be shown on the
final plat plan.
b. Applicant shall install signal at intersection of Swift
Street and Dorset Street. Signal shall be installed
prior to occupancy of the first residential unit. The
applicant shall post a bond to cover the cost of the
signal prior to issuance of any zoning/building permit.
4. The plans shall be revised prior to final plat submittal to
show proposed recreation paths as recommended by the South
Burlington Recreation Path Committee. A twenty (20) foot wide
easement shall be provided for all recreation paths which are not
located within a public street r.o.w.
5. The Planning Commission approves a credit for construction of
the portion of the proposed recreation path located outside of any
public street right-of-way. This credit may be applied toward
required recreation fees. The exact amount of credit to be applied
toward recreation fees shall be determined at final plat.
6. The landscape plan shall be revised prior to final plat to
address the following:
a) the developer shall be required to install two (2) trees
on each lot as required in Section 19.104(a) of the South
Burlington Zoning Regulations. The landscape plan shall
include a "typical" or note addressing this requirement.
A "Notice of Condition" addressing this requirement shall
be recorded in the South Burlington land records prior to
recording the final plat plans.
b) plan shall show buffer plantings along east side of
street "C" similar to that shown along street "A".
c) all symbols shown on the plan and in the landscape
schedule shall be consistent.
d) plan shall show additional landscaping along the east
side of the multi -family units to better screen the
units from Dorset Street.
e) the landscape schedule shall be broken down into the
following categories: street trees, multi -family
landscaping, trees for house lots, and other (i.e.,
buffer plantings along the east side of streets "A" and
VICII) .
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7. Prior to issuance of any zoning/building permits, the
applicant shall post a landscape bond to cover the
installation cost and value of all proposed landscaping. The
bond shall remain if effect for three (3) years to assure that
the planted landscaping has taken root and has a good chance
of surviving. The amount of the bond shall be determined at
final plat.
8. Legal documents for all public streets (i.e., irrevocable
offer of dedication) and easements (e.g., utility easements
and recreation path easements) shall be submitted to the City
Attorney for approval and shall be recorded in the South
Burlington land records prior to issuance of any
zoning/building permits.
9. In accordance with section 301.5 of the subdivision
regulations, within 14 days of completion of required
improvements (e.g., streets, water mains, sanitary sewers,
storm drains, etc.), the developer shall submit to the City
Engineer "as -built" construction drawings certified by a
registered engineer.
10. A second access to the development shall be provided for
emergency access purposes and shall be shown on the final plat
plans. This emergency access shall be maintained (including
plowing) by the developer or homeowner's association until
such time as the east -west collector road is extended to and
connected with Spear Street, or an alternate second access is
provided to the development and is approved by the Planning
Commission.
11. Prior to final plat submittal, the applicant shall provide a
phasing schedule for the development.
12. Prior to final plat submittal, the plans shall be revised to
show the following:
a) the limits of all wetlands on the west side of Dorset
Street. Further, the plan shall be revised to show units
and lots moved out of the wetlands.
b) all parking spaces for the multi -family units as required
in the zoning regulations, including an area for
recreational vehicles.
c) contour lines for lots 79 and 80-86.
d) limits of all existing wooded areas on the site.
e) names of all proposed streets.
f) an accurate boundary survey of involved land and proposed
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survey plat of the subdivision.
g) all watercourses and corresponding C.O. zones on the
1"=40' scale plans.
h) exterior lighting details for the multi -family buildings
must be provided.
i) the area of potential archeological sensitivity shall be
shown.
j ) plans shall show the 4.51 acre George O'Brien lot as part
of this development.
k) legends should properly identify the boundary of the CO
zone as such and not as a "setback".
1) no filling in the CO zone near building "F".
m) fire hydrants in locations approved by the Fire Chief.
n) a mail box turn -out on street "M". Maintenance of the
mailbox turn -out shall be the responsibility of the
homeowner's association. A "Notice of Condition"
addressing this requirement shall be recorded in the land
records prior to recording the final plat plans.
o) a separate easement for power and telephone lines outside
of the street r.o.w.
p) easements for all drainage lines from City streets that
cross lots and vacant land.
q) the sanitary sewer system shall be revised so that the
pump station for the development is located on the east
side of Dorset Street as recommended by City Engineer,
Bill Szymanski, in his memo dated 3/8/93.
r. 161 single family lots and 60 multi -family units, as
described by the applicant and shown on a plan dated
3/30/93.
13. A bond for streets, sidewalks, recreation paths, sewer and
water shall be posted prior to issuance of a zoning/building
permit. The amount of the bond shall be approved by the City
Engineer.
14. No zoning/building permit will be issued for a lot until the
street serving that lot has a gravel sub -base installed in
conformance with City specifications.
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15. The planning Commission approves a total sewer allocation of
120,350 gpd for this development. The length of time that this
sewer allocation approval shall remain in effect shall be tied to
roadway construction. The roadways serving this development shall
be completed within eight (8) years of Final Plat approval. The
sewer allocation for any lots or multi -family buildings served by
roadways which are not completed within this eight (8) year time
limit shall be lost unless reapproved by the Planning Commission.
16. No zoning/building permit will be issued for construction of
any dwelling unit within this development until after the City
adopts an education impact fee ordinance or September 1, 1993,
whichever first occurs. This condition is being imposed to provide
the school district a reasonable period of time to complete
development of an impact fee ordinance and present the ordinance to
the South Burlington City Council for adoption.
17. The applicant or homeowner's association shall be responsible
for cutting the grass (i.e., haying) on both the east side of
Dorset Street and on the west side of Dorset Street east of streets
"A" and "C" at least once a year in order to maintain the open
space and scenic quality of this area of the City. If the
homeowner's association is to be responsible for meeting this
requirement, such requirement shall be included in the association
"bylaws". A "Notice of Condition" addressing this condition shall
be recorded in the land records prior to recording the final plat
plans.
18. No building permits shall be issued for lots or multi -family
dwellings until the applicant submits to the City a letter from the
Department of Historic Preservation which states that the
development will not negatively impact historic or archaeologic
resources.
19. The setbacks for the single family lots shall conform to the
requirements of Section 18.00, 18.101 and 18.102 of the South
Burlington Zoning Regulations.
20. Homeowner's association "bylaws" shall also include a
requirement not to convert garage space to any other use.
21. The final plat plans, including survey plat, shall be
submitted within 12 months or this approval is null and void.
&ZI&, . -1k , , , -
Chairman orClerk'
South Burlington Planning Commission
Date
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