HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Wheeler Conservation Easement Task Force - 05/18/2016Conserva on Easement
Task Force
575 Dorset Street
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 846-4106
www.sburl.com
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Meeting Minutes
Members Present: Jennifer Kochman, Mike Simoneau, Donna Leban, Sean Devine, Betty Milizia, Cathy Frank, Sarah
Dopp, Michael Mi ag
Staff and Consul ng Team: Cathyann LaRose (City Planner), Maggie Leugers (Recreation and Parks), Drew Pollak- Bruce
(SE Group).
Several members of the public were also in attendance. The
mee ng began at 6:35 PM.
Agenda Review: Additions, Deletions or Changes in Order of Agenda Items
None.
Comments and Questions from the Public Not Related to the Agenda
None.
Review minutes of previous meeting
Mi ag moved to approve minutes of April 25th. Kochman seconded. Approved unanimously.
Recap of Parts 1 and 2 and discussion of dra Purpose Statements
Mr. Pollak-Bruce provided a brief recap of the previous meeting, highligh ng the four sections for discussion.
Members discussed language that might be included in the easement, including the appropriateness of words such as
“grant” as it relates to an easement, and “conserve” and “preserve” within. Members also discussed the importance
of including words such as “perpetuity”. Members discussed whether the purpose statement would apply to the
en rety of the property, or whether there would be two purpose statements.
Members reached consensus that there should only be one easement, and that the purpose statement should be
revised from Dra Purpose statement #1. The members agreed to start with the following as a base, and will return to
the next mee ng with any suggested edits: “The principal objectives of this grant are to: 1) preserve a diverse and
natural ecosystem within the Protected Property; 2) support the long-term professional management of the natural,
educational and cultural resources; 3) facilitate public access that minimizes negative impact on natural communi es,
surface waters, wildlife habitats, and other conservation values; and 4) sustain harmony within the property while
recognizing both the natural area and the multi-use Homestead area.”
Review of Potential Conservation Partners website links
Wheeler Nature Park
Mr. Pollak-Bruce provided a brief recap of the groups, and answered questions from the members regarding exis ngeasements held by each. He highlighted some of the differences, and said that he is hopeful a member of a few of theorganiza ons will be able to join the group at the June mee ng. Members agreed to invite Vermont Land Trust andWinooski Valley Parks District. Mittag, Leban, and Milizia agreed to walk the property with the groups if they areinterested.
Break
The group took a brief break.
Discussion of Conservation Values Mr. Pollak-Bruce stated that every easement has this language in it, and that it should iden fy the public value to beprotected. Members created a list of what should be protected, which Mr. Pollak-Bruce will bring back to the task forceat the next meeting. Members also discussed mechanisms for protection and how the exis ng Management Planwould be incorporated or u lized in the future.
Discussion of Uses within the Property Mr. Pollak-Bruce stated that easements usually clarify prohibited and allowed uses, poten ally with spa al or temporalconsidera ons. Members discussed prohibited uses, and agreed that there should be two lists to accommodate boththe natural area and homestead areas. SE Group took notes of these and will provide them at the next mee ng.
Conclusion and Plan for Upcoming Meetings
meeting date, to include conservation partners and with a City Council mee ng to follow thereafter. A doodle pollwill be sent from staff in the coming week.
Adjourn
Mee ng adjourned by common consent at 9:20 pm.
Members were reminded of the public meeting on June 16th at 7:00 PM. Members agreed to July as the next