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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP-94-0000 - Decision - 0700 Airport ParkwayFINDINGS OF FACT & DECISION STATE OF VERMONT COUNTY OF CHITTENDEN CITY OF SOUTH BURLINGTON Re: Findings of Fact, application of Peter Val Preda for parking lot expansion and landscaping alterations for an auto rental service facility, 700 Airport Parkway. On the 8th of February, 1994, the South Burlington Planning Commission approved the request of Peter Val Preda for site plan review under Section 19.10 of the South Burlington Zoning Regulations based on the following findings: 1. This project consists of increasing the size of the paved parking area for an auto rental service facility by 2,712 square feet and landscaping alterations. The Planning Commission approved this facility on 5/25/82, approved an amended plan on 6/22/82 and approved an addition to the building on 9/24/91. 2. This property located at 700 Airport Parkway lies within the I- C District. It is bounded on the north by the airport, and on the south, east and west by Airport Parkway. 3. Access/circulation: Access to this property is via one (1) 24 foot wide curb cut on Airport Parkway. No access changes proposed. Circulation is adequate. 4. Coverage/setbacks: Building coverage is 3.4% (maximum allowed is 30%). Overall coverage is 69.3% (maximum allowed is 70%). Front yard coverage is 41% (maximum allowed is 30%). Front yard coverage has increased from 19.9% in the 1982 plan to 41% on the current plan. 5. Staff could not find evidence that a variance was ever granted to exceed the 30% limitation. It was the applicant's position that the 41% coverage was always existing and was not correctly shown on the 1982 plan. Staff recommended that an appropriate amount of gravel area be converted to green space in order to meet front yard coverage requirements. The Planning Commission does not have authority to approve this plan without a variance granted by the Zoning Board. 6. The existing building does not meet the rear setback requirement and is therefore a noncomplying structure. Any alteration to this building will be subject to Section 19.002 of the zoning regulations. 7. Landscaping: There is no minimum landscaping requirement, based on building costs, for this project. The applicant is 1 proposing to extend an existing landscaped berm approximately 300 feet to the north-west along Airport Parkway. Proposed plantings have an estimated value of $1300 and will include flowering Crabapple and Upright Yews. Applicant cut down much of the natural vegetation in the front yard in the fall of 1993. Staff contacted the applicant at that time and informed him that this was a violation of his approved site plan since the previous plans showed these trees as to be saved. Staff recommended substantially more landscaping, made up of both Deciduous and Evergreen trees, along the Airport Parkway frontage to screen the parked vehicles. 8. Parking: Parking area will be increased in size by 2,712 square feet and 4,388 square feet of existing gravel area will be paved. 9. Lighting: Existing exterior lighting consists of the following: --- six (6) 400 watt high pressure sodium lamps mounted on four (4) poles. --- four (4) residential type flood lights attached to the building. --- two (2) roadway type lights attached to the building. Applicant will provide more specific details regarding the existing lighting at the meeting. Proposed new lighting will consist of two (2) 100 watt downcasting sodium vapor lamps on 20 foot poles. Staff recommended that all existing lighting be replaced with shielded downcasting light fixtures. 10. Dumpsters: The existing dumpsters should be suitably screened from Airport Parkway. DECISION & CONDITIONS Based upon the above Findings of Fact, the South Burlington Planning Commission approves the site plan application of Peter Val Preda for parking lot expansion and landscaping alterations for an auto rental service facility, 700 Airport Parkway, as depicted on a plan entitled "Budget Rent-A-Car, 700 Airport Parkway, South Burlington, Vermont, Proposed Parking Lot Additions" prepared by Lamoureux & Stone, dated 11/1/93, with a last revision date of 2/4/94, with the following stipulations: 1. All previous approvals and stipulations which are not superseded by this approval shall remain in effect. 2 2. This site plan approval shall not be construed as approval to alter a noncomplying structure. The decision of whether or not to approve alteration to a noncomplying structure shall be made by the Administrative Officer in accordance with Section 19.002 of the zoning regulations. 3. The plan shall be revised prior to issuance of a zoning/building permit to show the changes listed below and shall require approval of the City Planner. Three (3) copies of the approved revised plan shall be submitted to the City Planner prior to permit issuance. a) The applicant shall replace an appropriate amount of gravel area with seeded lawn area in order to meet the 30% front yard coverage limitation. This shall be so noted on the plan and the plan revised accordingly. b) The plan shall be revised to show additional landscaping, to be made up of both deciduous and evergreen trees, along the Airport Parkway frontage to screen the parked vehicles. The plan shall also show the type, size and quantity of all proposed landscaping. c) The plan shall be revised to show that the dumpster storage area will be suitably screened from Airport Parkway. The type of screening shall be noted on the plan. 4. The applicant shall post a landscape bond, in an amount to be determined by the City Planner, for the new landscaping. This bond shall be posted prior to issuance of a zoning/building permit. The bond shall remain in effect for three (3) years to assure that the landscaping has taken root and has a good chance of surviving. 5. The northernmost existing floodlight shall be replaced with a shielded downcasting light fixture. The City Planner shall approve new light fixture prior to installation. Any future changes to exterior lighting shall consist of downcasting, shielded fixtures and shall require approval of the City Planner prior to installation. 6. The applicant shall obtain a zoning/building permit within six (6) months or this approval is null and void. 7. The applicant shall obtain a Certificate of Occupancy from the Administrative Officer prior to use of the new parking area. 8. Any change to the site plan shall require approval by the South Burlington Planning Commission. 3 9. There shall be no parking of vehicles on green (i.e., lawn and wooded) areas. Chairman or Clerk South Burlington Planning Commission �sliY5 Date 4