HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - City Center FBC Technical Items Working Group - 09/17/2014SOUTH BURLINGTON CITY CENTER FBC TECHNICAL ITEMS WORKING GROUP
Task Force of the Planning Commission
MEETING MINUTES
17 SEPTEMBER 2014
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The South Burlington Planning Commission held a regular meeting on Wednesday, 17 September
2014, at 10:30 A.M., in the conference room, City Hall, 575 Dorset St.
MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Riehle; T. McKenzie; D. Bell; M. Simoneau; M. Mittag
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: P. Conner, Director of Planning & Zoning; C. LaRose, City Planner; R. Belair,
Administrative Officer
1. Agenda: Additions, deletions or changes in order of Agenda items:
No changes to the agenda were proposed.
2. Comments & Questions from the public, not related to Agenda items:
No comments.
3. Review and discuss technical items related to the draft City Center Form Based Code
Members discussed possible recommendations relating to the Official Map, as one potential tool for the
creation of blocks throughout the City Center Form Based Codes area. Members supported the following
being proposed:
a. Change the connector to Dumont Park which extends southerly from Garden Street, from a
street to a path.
b. Change the San Remo Drive planned ROW from a street to a path.
c. Support a parallel road, north of Williston Road.
d. Consider the easternmost draft spur from Williston Road to the parallel referenced in ‘c’ above-
where is the best location? At White Street? No consensus other than that it this should have
more discussion and perhaps depend on known or anticipated development in the area, as well
as the improvements to the White Street intersection.
e. Support removal of the eastern-most official map connection on Market Street, as it goes
entirely through a wetland.
f. Consider a new connection from Quarry Hill to the Staples Plaza north of it.
Members discussed the ideal tools for the creation of blocks within the largely undeveloped areas
surrounding Market Street. Mr. Conner provided the members with draft concepts that would speak to
the creation of blocks, and clarify the responsibility and nexus for dedication or construction of a street.
There was some agreement that block lengths would be more appropriate than the fixed points of an
official map in this area.
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Mr. McKenzie asked whether blocks were needed, and if those proposed were of an appropriate size.
He expressed concern about how an anticipated development along Market Street would be built as
shown given the draft block standards and questioned whether streets or blocks were necessary.
Members said that it was important to discuss these standards in the context of all properties, and in all
transect zones.
Ms. Bell expressed that streets and street connections are intended to serve the pedestrian, and
encourage them to move along from one point to another in a safe and comfortable manner, while also
stopping at additional shops along the way.
Mr. Simoneau asked how the blocks proposed compared to blocks in other places. Mr. Conner said the
blocks proposed in City Center were approximately two times the size of most blocks in downtown
Burlington. He noted that an example of a 700 foot block length was Garden Street to Market Street
along Dorset Street.
Members discussed what constituted a street in the draft code. Ms. LaRose answered that the draft
code approved by the Form Based Codes Committee listed applicable street types by transect zone, and
was specific as to the need for streets. The draft does not count alleys and paths to qualify in the
determination of block standards.
Mr. Conner shared the language with respect to wetlands or interstates serving as block endings.
Members expressed support of this.
Members discussed what the necessary right of way would be for a street. Staff said that the line
denoting ROW was left blank on the draft street standards sent from the previous consulting firm, but
could be inferred and even filled in given the other standards for number of travel lanes, width of lanes,
required sidewalks and green belts.
Staff offered to edit the draft street types to include minimum ROW expectations and encouraged task
force members to re-read the street types in advance of the next meeting. Members agreed and asked
to look at this.
Mr. Mittag suggested that they could look at this draft of street types when ready and email any final
comments direct to staff. Members agreed.
Ms. Bell asked about open space standards on existing PUDs. Members agreed and decided to discuss
the open space and shared features portion of the memo, along with final edits, at one additional
meeting to be held the following week.
4. Review Meeting Minutes of September 10, 2014.
Mr. Mittag motioned to approve the meeting minutes of September 10th, 2014. Mr. Riehle made a
second. Minutes were approved unanimously.
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Members agreed to hold the next meeting on Wednesday, September 24th at 10:30 am at City hall.
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